water parameters out of control...

[mark razmandi]

i have no clue whats happening...i do weekly 60-75% water changes and my nitrate is usually around 5ppm when i change my water....i changed my water this tuesday and tested it today to find presence of ammonia, nitrite and about 10ppm of nitrate....it blew my mind...my first thought was that i fed too much so i did an 80% water change and tested it about 4 hours later...this time i had even MORE ammonia, 0 nitrite and 5ppm nitrate....this makes no sense to me....

Here are my thoughts

my filtration is 2 rena xp3s

i had one until recently when i bought another....the filter i just added was not an established filter with bacteria so maybe since i had one running with no bacteria it screwed up the chemistry of my tank???

is it bad to use old media that has dried up? i ask because the new one i bought came with some media and i mixed that with some new media

i just dont have a clue and im EXTREMELY concerned about my fish...

my plans are to buy some live bacteria tomorrow and do a 85% water change and add the bacteria that way the new filter can establish itself

[fshfrk]

Add a established filter from another tank. hang it on the front sounds like a mini cycle. If you have some amquell plus add some to neutrilize the ammonia.

[mark razmandi]

one of my rena's IS an established filter...the other one i not....thats what i dont get

[CichlidFan]

It is my belief that filters main duty is to remove ammonia and solid waste products....I would suspect your original filter may need a good cleaning...try that too...

Best of Luck

CF

[fshfrk]

It can't handle the bio load. It will catch up in a week or 2.

[mark razmandi]

just cleaned it yesterday actually....

[CichlidFan]

well...do add more amquel for now and maybe test your tap water for ammonia ...???

CF

[mark razmandi]

am i overstocked??

i have:

3 clown loaches 3-6in
1 fire eel 13"
1 striped raphael catfish 6"
3 Geophagus altifrons 3.5"
2 Geophagus Jurupari 4.5"
1 Geophagus Heckilli 3.5"
7 tiger barbs 2-2.5"
1 ornate birchir 7.5"

[fshfrk]

Do not clean that filter or your problems will get worse! add amquell plus tonight. tomorrow borrow established filter and or media. Run it to help this mini cycle. Run a w/d and this will not happen in the future.

[mark razmandi]

w/d? and i dont have amquell plus...i put in a nitrite, nitrate, ammonia remover that comes in an orange and white bottle (cant remember the name)

[fshfrk]

Your tank is cycling. Borrow a established filter now. I have established emp400 you can borrow.

[mark razmandi]

but my tank was already cycled? i dunno im just so confused....thanks for the offer on the filter...ill let you know tomorrow if i need it (i might be able to use a filter off another tank) ...i should get a wet/dry?

[fshfrk]

wet dry trickle filter. orange & white sounds like amqell. What's the name off the product?

[TaTeR ToT]

but my tank was already cycled? i dunno im just so confused....thanks for the offer on the filter...ill let you know tomorrow if i need it (i might be able to use a filter off another tank) ...i should get a wet/dry?

when i kept 3 adult pairs of eartheaters in each of my 75g tanks, this was the filtration

3x eheim 2217's
2x aquaclear 110's
and 2x oddysea ex 350 powerheads with sponges.

gives you and idea, they need alot of filtation!
a wetdry would be awesome.

[mark razmandi]

lol i just went downstairs and looked...it IS amquel plus lol im dumb....now im thinking about making a W/D..should i make one or should i buy one? and if i make one, should i run it AND my renas? or should i get some HOBs? or should i just use the W/D?