Hello All,
I've got a 90 gal tank that seemingly needs more and more frequent water changes as determined by the wifes complaint of the smell...
The tanks been up and running for 5-6 years and i've generally done a 25% water change every 2-3 weeks. Lately i've been having to change about every 6 days. I always use API tapwater conditioner and add aquarium salt. Other than that, no chems ever go into the tank.
here's some of the details
substrate is sand, no undergravel filter. It's probably worth noting that i don't vacuum the sand. I do occasionally reach in and stir it around by hand to smooth it out etc from the fishes excavation projects. Other than the sand, there's approx 75 lbs of tufa rock in the tank.
filtration:
magnum 350 external canister which also powers biowheels
eheim classic 2215 external canister
aquaclear 110 power filter
filter media/pads are generally rinsed in tank water monthly
(also worth noting-the eheim and the ac110 were recently added. not as a response to any problems, i was just planning on removing the magnum canister and biowheels and have the eheim and the ac110 running for a few months to establish the good bacteria before i remove the others)
fish:
(6) tinfoil barbs, in the 6" range
frontosa, also approx 6"
(2) synodontis, again approx 6"
pleco
(2) other small africans, can't remember what type, they're 2" or less
giant danio
all the fish have been in the tank from the beginning. nothing new has been added. Lost a few giant danios over the years, maybe 4. Other than that, no issues, disease, illness etc.
I've never done a lot of monitoring of the water chemistry, but, i've got a few kits so i can provide some numbers
NO3 approx 80ppm and NO4 around 0.5ppm. these seem to both be high, just not 100% sure why or what to do about it.
chlorine 0
alkalinity (KH) approx 72
GH in the 300 range
pH 7.6-7.8
As i've not got much, if any, experience with the chemistry data, i'm assuming the above numbers are possible and correct.
If i'm missing any relevant info that would shed add'l light on the subject, please let me know
It seems possibly the problem with the water starting to smell is too much ammonia??
Is the problem as simple as an overstocked tank? Get rid of a few of the fish, keep up with water changes every few weeks and it's handled?
Any guidance you could provide would certainly be appreciated.
I've got a 90 gal tank that seemingly needs more and more frequent water changes as determined by the wifes complaint of the smell...
The tanks been up and running for 5-6 years and i've generally done a 25% water change every 2-3 weeks. Lately i've been having to change about every 6 days. I always use API tapwater conditioner and add aquarium salt. Other than that, no chems ever go into the tank.
here's some of the details
substrate is sand, no undergravel filter. It's probably worth noting that i don't vacuum the sand. I do occasionally reach in and stir it around by hand to smooth it out etc from the fishes excavation projects. Other than the sand, there's approx 75 lbs of tufa rock in the tank.
filtration:
magnum 350 external canister which also powers biowheels
eheim classic 2215 external canister
aquaclear 110 power filter
filter media/pads are generally rinsed in tank water monthly
(also worth noting-the eheim and the ac110 were recently added. not as a response to any problems, i was just planning on removing the magnum canister and biowheels and have the eheim and the ac110 running for a few months to establish the good bacteria before i remove the others)
fish:
(6) tinfoil barbs, in the 6" range
frontosa, also approx 6"
(2) synodontis, again approx 6"
pleco
(2) other small africans, can't remember what type, they're 2" or less
giant danio
all the fish have been in the tank from the beginning. nothing new has been added. Lost a few giant danios over the years, maybe 4. Other than that, no issues, disease, illness etc.
I've never done a lot of monitoring of the water chemistry, but, i've got a few kits so i can provide some numbers
NO3 approx 80ppm and NO4 around 0.5ppm. these seem to both be high, just not 100% sure why or what to do about it.
chlorine 0
alkalinity (KH) approx 72
GH in the 300 range
pH 7.6-7.8
As i've not got much, if any, experience with the chemistry data, i'm assuming the above numbers are possible and correct.
If i'm missing any relevant info that would shed add'l light on the subject, please let me know
It seems possibly the problem with the water starting to smell is too much ammonia??
Is the problem as simple as an overstocked tank? Get rid of a few of the fish, keep up with water changes every few weeks and it's handled?
Any guidance you could provide would certainly be appreciated.