ive two 4 inch oscars, and now i know why im having trouble with my water conditions, my tank is 63 uk gallons, i cant rehome at the moment as they are inseperable, im going to wait thuow because if they are a pair i will go bigger if not i will rehome one, sob sob sob sob sob but he he he he if a pair xxx

Congrats on the new addition, but is your tank even cycled yet?

everyday water changes has made it worse, ammo is 4.0 now, im tying to better my filtraion, but nicki there is no new addition will let you know really ready to give up, xxx :ang :angry: :angry: :angry: :angry: ry:

no new addition

im giving up , i could cry i will rehome xxx

dotn do so many water changes every day day. Its not giving your tank time to establish itself. Also, a bad water conditioner may not be breaking up the compound properly, as most don't do a great job, I tested this with different brands in buckets and only saw a good change in one bucket, and that was in PRIME.

Also, what type of filtration? Using carbon? If so, try using something with good surface area for nitrates to flourish, such as ceramic rings. also use a course sponge like pad for mechanical filtration, carbon is not really good at establishing tanks.

As far as prime, double dose your tank. (i.e. if it says use one capful for 50 Gallons, and your tank is 50 gallons, use two capfuls and dose the 50 gallon as if it were 100 gallons) Prime is proven to reduce levels almost immediately. Then wait a few days and do small 25-30% changes, give the tank time to settle.

Once it is down to .5-1.0, you can let it go for a few days, test water and it should stay down, then do your regular weekly water change.

Always treat tank water FIRST before adding new water. Or treat buckets if you do it that way. Never rinse in the tap. TURN OFF filters and leave off for at least 10 minutes after water change is complete to give water time to dechlorinate, as ammonia can kill and good bacteria in your filtration if you leave it running or turn it on too soon.

Good luck and inbox me if you need to!

Sorry, not trying to hijack this thread, but carbon should not be used when cycling a tank?

Drw9150 wrote:


Carbon is NEVER needed, unless you are removing meds!

kazzy60 wrote:


lol come on don't give up. Talk us through what you have equipment wise.
tank size?
filter? type ? model?
how long they have been set up and running?
do you understand the cycle process and did you cycle the tank?
when did you add the fish?
when you do a water change are you using a water conditioner in the new water?

with your tank size and the size of the fish you shouldn't have any problems yet. i think you are making a few very common mistakes that all beginners make. we all learnt just has you are, that's why we are here, to help other not make the simple mistakes.

okay, ive a aquarium, measurments, width 18inch, length 4ft, hgt 2ft. hood filtration, five baskets, i use bio rings, filter wool and sponge pads, and is run by a 900lph pump, also have internal filter with sponge which is also 9oo lph, and no i dont think i gave it time to cycle, had my oscars in it for 3 months now,they are 4 inch doing 30% water changes since friday, using prime 2 caps per water change, nitite o, nitrate between 0 and 0.5, ammo 4.0 and i would say my ph is under 6.0 as its lighter than the card on a low ph and doesnt register on a high ph, so im doing what nicki says doing water changes everyday and not touching my filters, could my problem have started when i left my filters running when i did water changes,

okey, your tank is around 88 gal (48 x 18 x 24) but you pump is too
small for the tank size. 2 x 900 lph can only process your water at
5.3 times per hour. not good enough unless you had a good media
set up. for a canister, it is ideal to have 5 times cycle but for
an ordinary set up, HOB and the like, you need time 10.

based on your data
ammonia is not good and your filter is not working well. ammonia should
be down while nitrate should be up.

i am using 3 x 2400lph pump in my 230 gal tank but i had a very efficient
DIY media in the set up.

yours looks impressive, ive just brought a 3000lph pump, going to put this on the hood filter, just waiting on tubing to come, ive plenty media in the hood, so hopefully this will help a bit better,will this help to cycle my tank quicker