water changing hellllllp

[starfish]

So, I have a 75 gallon tank for about two years now. Two kids, two jobs- let's just say I haven't exactly nailed down the habit of regular water changes, k? The tank runs 2, 205 fluval filters and is a community tank of balloon mollies, black and white skitrts, several tetras and two WONDERFUL bristlenose plecos.

The problem, every time I DO get around to a waterchange (when water is running low, ) I seem to lose fish for the following week. My last water change, 6/8 weeks ago caused me to lose SO MANY fish, and my nitrates to spike past 200, that I am simply afraid to do anything! My water is again lowered, and a bit cloudy. I also have patches of furry algae popping up.

Obviously the water and filter media need to be changed, but, how do I avoid the spike, losing fish, etc.?

[freespool]

Do you treat the water when you do a water change i.e. use prime? Also do you filter the gravel or sand? This can kick up a bunch of stuff. Just filter small areas at a time.

[eklikewhoa]

When you allow it to get that bad you have to...

-Do not do too large of a water change amount, the drastic change in nitrates would shock the fish.
-Use dechlorinator, Seachem Prime or Kordon's Amquel are the only two I would trust.
-Do not clean everything at once... spring cleaning isn't favorable. If you change water, wait to clean the filters for the following free time.

[moganman]

Water changes don't seem to be your problem. What are you feeding and how often? You need to make sure your filters are properly working and whatever you do, dont do large water changes. You have to condition them to getting used to it. Make sure you use dechlorinators.

[eklikewhoa]

How do you figure it's not the problem moganman or rather, dismissing it? curious to know.

[moganman]

Because if his nitrates are that high, he needs to cut back on feeding IMO. That's why the more we feed the more we need to change the water. If he isn't doing regular water changes, then he shouldn't be feeding like he does, or else his nitrates wouldn't be that high

[moganman]

And I wouldn't say dismiss it but his fish are obviously not healthy because when he does something that promotes healthiness, they die.

[mikeb144]

+1 for EK. There is no way to read that thread and not see that there is a water changing issue. There may be others...
In the 2nd paragraph he says he gets around to it every 6-8 weeks. JMO

After the fish live in that water for 6-8 weeks they have acclimated to the conditions. Then comes the water change. Stressess the crap out of them,some die..again JMO

[moganman]

I think it goes hand in hand IMO. You don't have to feed the fish everyday for them to live. If you decide not to do regular water changes, then don't feed that much. Not neglecting that water change is the problem, but I believe if he can't do the water changes, which requires more effort than feeding, don't feed as much. Yes, water changes are essential for having healthy fish, and it's a major priority, but if you can't do it, then look at the other option which is feeding. Over feeding will raise the nitrate levels. Fish don't poop as much if they aren't fed as much.

[mnemenoi]

I would try small gradual water changes and as EK said do one thing at a time more frequently. Try a weekly schedule that is a bit more freindly to your time schedule. I would recommend using some zeolite (ammo-zorb) in the tank to help soak up what pollutants you can ahead of the WC and shortly after until its better under control. Some purigen would help as well. Start an aggressive gravel vacuuming regimen until you have a better handle on the tank. You could try some floating plants/stems like hornwort or even some anacharis to assist in clearing up some of the spike that are shortly after the WC. Good Luck and hope it gets better soon.

[moganman]

I once kept Jack Dempseys and I NEVER changed the water. NEVER. Like for two or three years. Never lost a fish, but I didn't feed much. I only added water without dechlorinator when it got low and never had problems. And I do agree with what is said, but if the feedings aren't as frequent, then the nitrate shock wouldn't be as high.

[mikeb144]

Advice is a great thing. It what this site is all about. It has to be based on the information given. As I stated earlier, based on the information in the post the only advice I can give is that he needs to develop better water changing habits. He may have a overfeeding issue that would help explain a lot also. JMO

[eklikewhoa]

True, limiting feeding would limit waste but the length of time given for it to increase won't kill fish and as stated they are fine throughout the time frame.

Like Mike stated the drastic and instant change in Nitrates is more likely the culprit. Changing the feeding regime would help but the Nitrate concern is still there till remedied.

[Fancyfish]

Have you tested your water? what is the ph? is it dropping or is it steady?

It sounds like you might have one of several problems: Overfeeding; not treating the water you add which results in clorine entering the tank or if your ph is very low, when you add higher ph water it can mess up nitrates/nitrites.

Only you can tell us what you are doing. :) I hope you have found the information in this thread helpfull.

[Kiko]

YOUR A FAIL.... I dont do alot of water change (once every 2-3 weeks) and i feed my fish like no other (2-4 table spoons of food for my trophs tank) and still keep my nitrates low...

Because if his nitrates are that high, he needs to cut back on feeding IMO. That's why the more we feed the more we need to change the water. If he isn't doing regular water changes, then he shouldn't be feeding like he does, or else his nitrates wouldn't be that high