We have had our CA and SA cichilds in our tank for the last two months. We have introduced them gradually, though we realise that -according to advice from this forum- we have a large stock of fish for our aquarium size, in terms of temperament and overall stock/litre. We are choosing to stick with our current number of stock, due to advice from some knowledgable fishkeepers. The advice we have sought has been from well reputed members of the local cichlid-keeping community here in Australia, who maintain that the best means of reducing aggression in American cichlid tanks is to raise the stock together from a young age (you can view our fish stock/tank volume/filtration in my signature- yes, it is a large stock by all means, according to this forum).
However, our question relates to nitrate levels. We are currently performing a 30% water change every week. Our fish range from 2 inches, through to 4 inches, so they are by no means at the stage of sub-adult or adult. We are finding that even after a water change, our levels still remain at 20 ppm or above. We are feeding them enough to eat within 1 min twice per day. We are rinsing the filter media with every second water change in the tank water that we remove, as to reduce beneficial bacteria loss.
Also, we use Seachem Purigen in one filter. Our driftwood, is still producing a lot of tannin, and so we are removing the Purigen and treating it once every three weeks to restore it back to it's original colour.
Our main questions are:
-What Nitrate Levels are acceptable or ideal following a 30% approx. water change?
-How often should we be changing water with our stock at this size?
-How often do we need to rinse filter media in used tank water?
-How often do we need to replace filter media?
-After how many treatments does the Purigen need to be restored?
Thanks for all your help
However, our question relates to nitrate levels. We are currently performing a 30% water change every week. Our fish range from 2 inches, through to 4 inches, so they are by no means at the stage of sub-adult or adult. We are finding that even after a water change, our levels still remain at 20 ppm or above. We are feeding them enough to eat within 1 min twice per day. We are rinsing the filter media with every second water change in the tank water that we remove, as to reduce beneficial bacteria loss.
Also, we use Seachem Purigen in one filter. Our driftwood, is still producing a lot of tannin, and so we are removing the Purigen and treating it once every three weeks to restore it back to it's original colour.
Our main questions are:
-What Nitrate Levels are acceptable or ideal following a 30% approx. water change?
-How often should we be changing water with our stock at this size?
-How often do we need to rinse filter media in used tank water?
-How often do we need to replace filter media?
-After how many treatments does the Purigen need to be restored?
Thanks for all your help