Hi
Im about to head off to Asia for a couple of weeks, leaving my house mate in charge of the Jag
. I usually struggle keeping the nitrates under control and have a pretty intensive water change routine (60% twice a week), so Im a bit worried about leaving him for so long without a water change. Just wondering if theres anything I can do to slow the nitrate build up whilst Im away? Jag is around 7 inches and set up is as follows
4 90 gallon (6 180 planned for early next year)
FX5 for filtration (2 trays of Biomax and 1 tray of Matrix)
Prime for water conditioning
Powerhead pointed toward the filter intake
Bare bottom tank (removed the gravel substrate recently to reduce the nitrates, although it doesnt seem to have made much difference)
A few large pieces of bog wood for décor
Recently gave up with plants as he kept shredding them
I guess this suggests that Im probably over feeding, although Ive never thought that I am. I feed him twice a day with various Hikari pellets (massivire, food sticks, cichlid gold, algae wafers), would he be ok with once a day? Also, wondering about the bog wood - this has been in the tank for a couple of years now, could this be contributing to the nitrates? Would be cool to hear some suggestions, as Im not thrilled at someone else feeding him, let alone doing a water change.
Thanks
Steve
Im about to head off to Asia for a couple of weeks, leaving my house mate in charge of the Jag
. I usually struggle keeping the nitrates under control and have a pretty intensive water change routine (60% twice a week), so Im a bit worried about leaving him for so long without a water change. Just wondering if theres anything I can do to slow the nitrate build up whilst Im away? Jag is around 7 inches and set up is as follows
4 90 gallon (6 180 planned for early next year)
FX5 for filtration (2 trays of Biomax and 1 tray of Matrix)
Prime for water conditioning
Powerhead pointed toward the filter intake
Bare bottom tank (removed the gravel substrate recently to reduce the nitrates, although it doesnt seem to have made much difference)
A few large pieces of bog wood for décor
Recently gave up with plants as he kept shredding them
I guess this suggests that Im probably over feeding, although Ive never thought that I am. I feed him twice a day with various Hikari pellets (massivire, food sticks, cichlid gold, algae wafers), would he be ok with once a day? Also, wondering about the bog wood - this has been in the tank for a couple of years now, could this be contributing to the nitrates? Would be cool to hear some suggestions, as Im not thrilled at someone else feeding him, let alone doing a water change.
Thanks
Steve
