pH is at 6.8-7 on both tanks. The nitrates have been like this for a while, and no pH crash. I rinse my mechanical media every couple days really (polifylter), keep weekly changes, and have no other problems with the tanks. I dont know, Im going to try and do it as soon as I can, I just dont know when that will be.
High nitrates - overstocked??
- Thread starter gonnelro
- Start date
gonnelro;1689521; said:
Well assuming your 90g has the footprint of 48" x 18", I wouldn't go much bigger then 18" myself. If the aro was alone then you might be able to go a couple inches bigger. A 24" aro has massive amounts of power and it is likely, if spooked the 90g tank will not contain him.
Bderick said before it reach the 2' mark. Will if you can't get plants, you can't get plants; which got me interested about your algae issues mainly do you have a lot since algae are plants, and do pop up in high nitrate tanks and they will consume the nitrates which may be one reason why you said your fish is doing well. I still think you should do a WC this weekend.
but, nitrates are interesting; most literatures i read said it's def. not as toxic as the other two compounds but at high concentrations and yours qualify, it may have long term adverse effects on your fish one of which is stunting of fish growth.
Hope this helps and good luck.
but, nitrates are interesting; most literatures i read said it's def. not as toxic as the other two compounds but at high concentrations and yours qualify, it may have long term adverse effects on your fish one of which is stunting of fish growth.
Hope this helps and good luck.
pH is 7, and I have a water softener, so my water is pretty soft. I havent checked it in a very long time and cant remember, but its soft
tyl089;1689575; said:
No, I dont have a lot of algae, but I have reasonbly large plecos in both tanks who could be working to keep that in check, though I doubt it cause I never see any growing on the glass or substrate. And I am definetly going to keep up with my weekly changes, just need to pencil in a week of small changes to try and bottom out the nitrates and chart their increse daily after that. Thanks for the input about your research with the literature, thats what Ive come across as well
Yea, thanks. I first bought the irr. shark when I first started my 90, two years ago. I had already kept fish before, but never this type, and I didnt do enough research. I went to my LFS and bought it and the guy said it would max out at about 12". Too late now, Im planning on getting an 8' tank eventually, just need to save up the cash first, and then the aro and irr. shark are going in there. I though the columbian sharks preferred brackish water, but would be alright in soft water anyways?
Carbonate hardness is different from general hardness. Carbonate hardness is what measures the water's buffering capacity. Lots of bio activity (ammonia/nitrites breaking down) creates acids. If your water has a low carbonate hardness and you obviously have a hi rate of bio going on. This could be a recipe for disaster.
BTW not real sure about this, but from what I've heard the water softners add salt to your water system. I've heard they are not real good for fish.
BTW not real sure about this, but from what I've heard the water softners add salt to your water system. I've heard they are not real good for fish.
