Stocking and high nitrate levels

[lawsociety]

Hey guys. I have made some posts on here regarding stocking a 6 foot 180 gallon tank. After testing the water levels over the past few weeks, I've noticed the levels are spiking too high in the tank and will probably need to decrease the stocking levels. I do not want to increase the amount of water changes per week.

I'm after an opinion as to what and how many to take out. Just a note that I want to remove any of the cichlids last if actually necessary after I remove any other fish.


Tank: 180 gallon 6*2*2

Filtration is an Aqua One 2200 and Aqua One 1200 and powerhead Otto PF2000N. Lot of current and I do a 40-50 percent water change once a week.

Water Levels:

Nitrite: 0
Ammonia: 0
Nitrates: after 4-7 days 80 ppm.

Stocking:

5 Bala Shark
5 Clown Loach
2 Firemouth
1 Jack Dempsey
1 Small Oscar
1 Convict
1 Jaguar
1 Green Terror (king of tank)
1 BGKF
4 Bristlenose
1 Cuckoo Catfish
1 Archer fish

I'm going to take out the Archer Fish (wrong water) and 2 bala sharks. Should I also take out 2 or all of the clown loaches to curb the nitrate levels. Everything in the tank is still small.

EDIT: Part of the reason for this thread is that the oscar is showing signs of HITH, with a largish teardrop forming under its eye. What the best way to cure this??

Thanks

 

[GhostShrimpMan]

I'd get rid of all bala sharks, clown loaches, jaguar, and green terror.

It would make your tank much more healthier to live in. HITH will stop if you do this but the damage done won't go away and stay as a scar.

Clean water and good food stops HITH.

 

[freebyrd]

Plecos are poop making machines man, ide get rid of a few of those the bala sharks(if your staying with cichlids) and Oscars too are messy large fish the require very frequent water changes. And the archer of coarse

 

[cacichlids]

Get rid of the 4 plecos, the 5 sharks and the oscar and u wont have to worry bout high nitrates

 

[peathenster]

Looks like you have enough filtration. Just need larger and more frequent water changes.