Nitrates!!!

[Charney]

I have one tank that is a constant battle. The tank is a 20 L with two common crayfish and snails. I do not over feed the tank. I am running a rena xp whatever the smallest one is and about six sponge filters. I also do ~ 25 - 50% water changes weekly. There is no ammonia or nitrite and pH is 1.2. Any thoughts? Also the tank is bare bottom.

 

[53special]

Your readings are wrong. I don't think there is even a chance the PH can be 1.2. What is the nitrate level?

 

[frnchjeep]

I have one tank that is a constant battle. The tank is a 20 L with two common crayfish and snails. I do not over feed the tank. I am running a rena xp whatever the smallest one is and about six sponge filters. I also do ~ 25 - 50% water changes weekly. There is no ammonia or nitrite and pH is 1.2. Any thoughts? Also the tank is bare bottom.

Is it one tank out of many? Did you test the tap? PH is wrong. I don't think I've ever seen a test kit that went below six and change. Also, what is the nitrate reading? Do you know that nitrates will be present under normal conditions? You will never get a zero reading.

 

[Charney]

sorry did not proof read pH is 7.2, not 1.2. I wrote down the reading at home, I will post if for sure later. I think it is ~50, not sure of units. Its the only one of five tanks that has high nitrates

 

[Spiritwind]

50 isnt bad before a water change. You should check your tap water too, maybe it is high in nitrates from there.

 

[ShadowBass]

How many friggin snails do you have in there?

I think maybe something is rotting in your filter. How often do you rinse the sponges and break down the xp~?

 

[Charney]

the sponges I do not do too often. The xp I try to do every three months or so. Not a bad idea I think I will clean them tomorrow.

 

[cassharper]

1.2 pH! That's like your fish swimming in coke!

 

[Danyal]

i think that's probably it, you've got a mess of snails rotting in the filter.