Excessive Waste

[frp13187]

I currently have a 55 gallon CA cichlid tank with a sand substrate. It is moderately stocked and have noticed that there is an excessive amount of fish waste sitting on the sand. I have less fish than ever before and have been cutting back feedings yet the waste is more than ever. I’ve done several water changes and doesn’t seem to help. Does this point to a filtration issue? Perhaps new media is needed? Any advice would help.

 

[HybridFinatic]

You probably need more flow in the tank to avoid a lot of waste resting in dead spots like that were there is no flow. So maybe get a power head or increase filtration. Also you be should vacuuming the floor of tank when you do your regular water changes if you don’t already.

 

[frp13187]

You probably need more flow in the tank to avoid a lot of waste resting in dead spots like that were there is no flow. So maybe get a power head or increase filtration. Also you be should vacuuming the floor of tank when you do your regular water changes if you don’t already.

Yes I do regular water changes (actually a 20% change right before this pic) and vacuum the substrate during that. I’ve had the same filtration and flow for almost 1.5 years now and this was never an issue. So that’s where I’m wondering if it has something to do with media?

 

[HybridFinatic]

Yes I do regular water changes (actually a 20% change right before this pic) and vacuum the substrate during that. I’ve had the same filtration and flow for almost 1.5 years now and this was never an issue. So that’s where I’m wondering if it has something to do with media?

I’m not sure. Maybe some other members will chime in.

 

[dan518]

What do you call moderate stocking. How often are you performing water changes, 20% is very small. What are your readings from water testing. How much flow have you got in the tank. The more information you provide the easier to try and help you out.

 

[dan518]

what stock did you have before the current inhabitants.

 

[tlindsey]

I currently have a 55 gallon CA cichlid tank with a sand substrate. It is moderately stocked and have noticed that there is an excessive amount of fish waste sitting on the sand. I have less fish than ever before and have been cutting back feedings yet the waste is more than ever. I’ve done several water changes and doesn’t seem to help. Does this point to a filtration issue? Perhaps new media is needed? Any advice would help.

View attachment 1423201

during water changes do you use gravel vac?

 

[frp13187]

What do you call moderate stocking. How often are you performing water changes, 20% is very small. What are your readings from water testing. How much flow have you got in the tank. The more information you provide the easier to try and help you out.

Nitrate: 10 ppm
Nitrite: 0
Ammonia: 0 ppm

Current stock is small super red Severum, small electric blue acara and 4 Colombian tetras. There were previously several more tetras and a bushy nose pleco.

 

[frp13187]

during water changes do you use gravel vac?

Yes

 

[HybridFinatic]

Nitrate: 10 ppm
Nitrite: 0
Ammonia: 0 ppm

Current stock is small super red Severum, small electric blue acara and 4 Colombian tetras. There were previously several more tetras and a bushy nose pleco.

Looks good to me. Sounds like you might need to rearrange decor and increase flow to eliminate those dead spots. Also as said above 20% is a really small water change. I wouldn’t do less than 30-50%.