What to do?

[bearprince]

We have high nitrite and amonia and low ph. Have done water changes every 2 to 3 days about 40%. We have well water with 0 nitrate, 0 nitrite, 0 chlorine, very hard water and ph about 6.2. We have been sold all kinds of things. This chemicle for this, this chemicle for that, and we think we have chemicled some to where we now have 2 xl Jack Dempsys and a 2xl Oscar that have developed hole-in-the-head. We are treating with medicine we were sold and doing frequent water change. We jumped in this hobby, have 7 tanks and have the issue in most of them..... a 125 gal, 3 - 55's, a 40, a 20, and a 10 and wanna do this right. Any Advice?

[cichlid1409]

more info is needed like filtration, stocking levels, how long tanks have been set-up. is it all tanks or just a couple your having problems with? nitrite and ammonia usually show that either your tank is not established yet or your filtration is not adequate. simple baking soda can up your pH no higher than 8.2.

[imagirlgeek]

First, find the source of the Ammonia. Don't worry about the pH just yet. Get the Ammonia and Nitrite problem handled first. The reason I say that is because Ammonia will lower your pH because it's acidic. You might find that the pH corrects itself once you get the other handled.

Like Cichlid1409 said, a little more info will be helpful. The source of the ammonia could be a dead fish someplace, overfeeding, brand new filter media, not enough filtration, etc. Basically, there is more waste than bacteria, so the ammonia isn't getting converted to nitrites and then nitrates fast enough. Did you just add a lot of fish to the tank? How long has this been going on?

[Zulaab]

Hi Bearprince --
First welcome to the Houston Fish Box. I am sorry to hear about all the problems you are experiencing here.

Lets tackle the first problem. High Nitrites and Ammonia. This is caused by the bacteria (the good ones) have not yet established a foot hold in the tank.
To solve this problem - you need to continue to do water changes, but you need to stop the following. Stop cleaning your filters every week (go 3 weebs between cleanings) and second stop gravel vacuum every week (Go 3-5 weeks between). One of the two are the main culprit in bacteria not having a chance to settle in. Once they have settled in then cleaning both will need to be off and on. Meaning you clean the filter, but not the gravel, vise versa.
Ammonia and Nitrites uses Oxygen and bacteria to convert to Nitrates.

Hole in the head disease. (HITH) takes a long time to cure. Some fish will never re-grow their lost parts.
The number one way of solving this issue depending on what you have near you in terms of a petstore, but petco and petsmart sells Metro in the tablet form under the name "Jungle Labs, Hole N head guard" -- this is pure Metro. If you have access to other stores besides petco / petsmart then look for Metro in other forms. Jungle Labs is usually the most expensive way to get the amounts you need.

The main reasons for HITH is usually not enough water changes. If you are water changing 40% every 3 days you are doing VERY well, and its hard to think this is the issue.
Now if the fish are in the tank that have the Ammonia and Nitrites problems, then this is easy to understand.

You need to list the tanks you have, filters attached to each tank, and what you have in them stock wise etc..

[Darbex]

Well he is also treating with meds so he isnt going to get the bacteria settled with that as well.

[SteveCGG]

Ditto to all the above. What chemicals (cuz they may be bad as a combo) and what dosages?

[bearprince]

I just want to thank everyone on this post. The metro is working and they are getting well, swimming more, appetite back, and all the water test are improved drastically. Thanks again for all your generous advice and taking the time to help educate a newbie. Thanks especially to you Zulaab. The Metro is great stuff. Immediate improvment after three partial daily water changes and medicine treatments.