water conditions HELP

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FreshwaterHawaii

Gambusia
MFK Member
Apr 1, 2011
203
0
16
Hawaii
Hello MFK, first of all, I apologize if this is a dumb question.

I was recently stuck with 3 tiger oscars (4 inches) and i didn't have any time to prepare for their arrival. The water parameters are all over the place. The tank has been up and running for about 3 weeks.

PH - 6.6 - 6.8
Ammonia - ~ 0.50 ppm (API test kit)
Nitrite - ~ 5.0 ppm or higher (API test kit)

These have been the parameters for the past week or so. I didnt get a chance to test the water the first two weeks so im sorry i dont have that information. My question is, what should i do about this? Should i water change and what % water change? Is the tank cycling? Is the tank being overpowered by too many fish? Any advice on what i should do or what you think i should do would be helpful.

Thank you MFK
 
What size is your tank and what is your filtration?

Your tank is probably not cycled yet and you dont have enough Beneficial bacteria to decompose the nitrites.
 
sorry i forgot to mention. Its a 40g breeder tank. I do have a sponge filter in there and a penguin 350. Idk if this helps but i also have a maxi jet. I knew that the tank wasnt cycled yet but i had only a day or so to prepare for them.
 
Well i would do about a 40 pct water change every other days or so and add some bacteria in there everytime you do so. 3 oscars of that size can make quite a mess and your filtration is not enough. I think you might need to pick up another filter with more bio capacity such as an aquaclear 110 to properly house these fish for a few more weeks in that tank.
 
Not with fish in the tank.... they will most likely die if you dont supply your filter with BB to break down the nitrite into nitrate.
 
Just cut down on feeding and do water changes every other day until you get the bacteria. Even then after applying the bacteria youll probably have to wait around a week for levels to get back to normal
 
Get a bottle od Stability and follow the directions on the bottle. It should help speed up your cycle.
 
With fish cycling, Ammonia/Nitrite with a reading of >1 is usually a good indication to do water changes.

PS: You do know that 3 oscars would need like a 200g for a lifetime right? If you don't have the ability to get a tank that size, please give/sell them away asap to someone who can house them. Juvenile are much easier to sell than adults
 
Yes i do know that they need a large aquarium to live properly. I am looking for a new home currently but until then i just wanted to make sure i took care of them correctly. I did do a water change of about 30-40% today and did a test of the water a couple hours later. It was still the same and i dont know why.

Thanks for everyones help btw, all useful information.
 
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