Hole in the head question:

[Ryan13]

Have you tested your water?

Yes

If yes, what is your ammonia?

.25

If yes, what is your nitrite?

Forgot to test this one

If yes, what is your nitrate?

0 ppm

If I did not test my water...

1. ...I recognize that I will likely be asked to do a test, and that water tests are critical for solving freshwater health problems.

Do you do water changes?

Yes

What percentage of water do you change?

31-40%

How frequently do you change your water?

Every two weeks

If I do not change my water...

1. ...I recognize that I will likely be recommended to do a water change, and water changes are critical for preventing future freshwater health problems.

Hello,

My Oscar and other South American Cichlids, mainly my Sevrums, have come down with HITH. I caught it early and I've been treating with Fritz Para Cleanse as recommended by my lfs. (They are very knowledgeable and I trust them.) It seems to be clearing up, I'm also using Bio Bandage to help heal.

My question is, could this be caused by the feeder rosy red minnows I sometimes give them? I was getting them from PetSmart cuz idk of a bait store local that has them.

They also eat flakes, sinking pellets, and frozen food, the minnows are just like an enrichment type thing.

 

[FJB]

More information on your water characteristics and régimen of water changes is needed.

 

[celebrist]

From my understanding if you are detecting ammonia and truly have zero nitrates your tank isn't cycled

 

[jjohnwm]

Yeah, "oscars" and "40% water change twice monthly" and "zero nitrates" aren't likely to be realistic in the same tank.

It's like "fast", "good" and "cheap"...the best you can hope for is any two out of the three.

 

[duanes]

With only a 40 % water change once every 2 weeks, you should expect fish like oscars to get HITH.
It means as each month passes, 120 % of the waste products in the tank are constantly doubling.

 

[LBDave]

0 nitrate LOL?

 

[HUKIT]

With only a 40 % water change once every 2 weeks, you should expect fish like oscars to get HITH.
It means as each month passes, 120 % of the waste products in the tank are constantly doubling.

I don’t keep any plants in my tanks/sumps but you’re a great example of a working sump. I don’t know if I’ve asked but with the amount of plants in your sump without water changes what would your nitrate readings be at over a week?

 

[duanes]

Because of the island where I live, water is sometimes at a premium (regular plants shut downs of the desalinization plant are common), I have had to go a few weeks without a water change, but because of the heavy plantings it hasnñt been a problem. But even with the heavy planted sump, I still try to do 30% to40 % of the systems 300 gallons system every other day.