Need Help With Arawanas

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aro's are flukes, some live for life n some die at a young age for reasons even we can't figure out. my first aro that was almost 5 years old, died from a dramatic water change my mom did. i was so pissed, so i bought another baby like a week later. it died after 2 days. i waited a few months n bought another one. it died after 2 weeks. i gave up for a few years. n didnt see any silvers in any of the lfs's for a while. finally 2.5 years ago i got another one. n she's still alive. bought her a friend 9 months ago. its still alive.
 
I retested the water again like I said I was going to this morning. Here are the results
PH-8.0
Amonia-0 ppm
Nitrite- 0ppm
Nitrate- 80ppm
Please let me know what you all think the problem is anything will help.
Thank You
 
pH 8.0!? Too high man. It may not be the cause of all your problems, but it really should be closer to 7.0.
 
80ppm? high nitrates kill and sneek up on you if you don't check it often. your nitrates need to be at 10 the highest I'd say. do more frequent water changes or get rid of some fish
 
I am trying to change the water like once a week do I need to do so more often than that?
If so what is the best way to do it. You can't just mix regular tap water with the existing water can you? Do I need to just change the water or vac the gravel also?
 
I would agree with the water changes the more the better. I have had my aro since Janurary, I got him at 3.5 inches. he was raised in a 55 gallon tank with discus which received 2 40% water changes a week. I had to move him 3 months back when he accidently got hold of 1 discus while going after some food (very severe wound on the discus but did survive Thank God for Melafix) I have had him in a 75 for last couple of months but only do 1 water change a week. He is doing quit well also for feeder fish I breed convict cichlids, By doing this I know he is eating healthy fish also have a better nutritional value, not like the living dead goldfish you get from the LFS.

I would advise you to get your 45 gallon healthy with lots of water changes, If you can do 2 a week make one a simple water change and do a gravel vac and cleaning with the other. Just keep working with it and keep testing the water. I f your 45 is a 4 foot long tankyou can keep an aro in it up too about a foot, if it is a 3 foot tank maybe 9-10 inches.

Get that Ph lower at least 7.0 I have mine at 6.8, but I have read that aros arent that bad in higher Ph but 8.0 is way to high.

Stay away from the live goldfish, To big of a risk for disease, and vary the diet, good quality pellets, freeze dried krill/shrimp, frozen foods I feed mine frozen "Jack Watley Discus food. if ya can sell up your own breeding for feeder fish, convicts breed like mad and about 6 mounths to grow to feeder size.


Get your 150 set up and cycled cause your gonna need it, aros grow fast. Mine went from 3" to 12 in about 9 months, he is moving to a 125 gallon next month then his final home will be a 240 gallon 8 foot long tank next summer (dang I better get that basement finished)

Also keep checking post here on MFK lots and lots of great ideas and knowledge on this site. Good luck
 
danny272;581649; said:
I am trying to change the water like once a week do I need to do so more often than that?
If so what is the best way to do it. You can't just mix regular tap water with the existing water can you? Do I need to just change the water or vac the gravel also?
Click to expand...

You can treat you water with declor then add to the tank, or if you let your water sit over night the clhorine with evaporate then add to the aquarium, but first check for ammonia some citys also add it to the water supply.
 
Make sure they dont have eggs sacs attached, small arowanas are a waste of money if they have eggs sacs and they tend to die quick if the egg sac gets damaged.
also high nitrates can kill arowanas quicker than a lot of othe rfish as they are quite sensitive.

as a matter of interest are you buying wild or farmed arowanas?
 
SuPraScOObY;581605; said:
80ppm? high nitrates kill and sneek up on you if you don't check it often. your nitrates need to be at 10 the highest I'd say. do more frequent water changes or get rid of some fish
Click to expand...

high nitrates do NOT kill (well it really depends on the fish, but most wont)

its the length of time they are expose to high level that can kill and this can take months to years
 
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