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levels off the charts

Sun, 05/17/2009 - 20:56 — petcrew

Over the last few days I've noticed the water in my tank becoming cloudy. I tested my water and the levels for nitrites and nitrates are off the charts. The strip also indicates my water is hard. The alkaine is moderate and ph is neutral,it's aprrox. 6.8. My 6 babies are in a 55 gallon tank. They range in sizes 2-5 inches. I really need some advice on how and what I need to do to get the water levels back to a safe reading. I am going to do a water change (25-35%) today. I am a novice at caring for Parrots. As far as my ph is concerned, don't I need to raise the level up to a 7.0 -7.2? Any and all help will be more than appreciated!!!

Comments

Thu, 05/21/2009 - 17:27 — petcrew

update

I added three live plants to my tank to aid in lowing the nitrite and nitrate levels. On top of the water issues my poor babies now have fungus. This has been so terrible for them. I will take your advice on more frequent water changes. Given that they now have a fungus (white cotton patches) should I try to get the levels at a safe level before treating for the fungus? I know both can be life threatening if I don't get it taken care of. I'm not quite sure what I should do. I don't want to kill my babies by doing to much or not enough.

Thu, 05/21/2009 - 22:40 — sunnysdad

Re: update

there are good treatments for body fungus that will not interfere with your tank cycling. buy some prime water conditioner. it removes nitrite as well as ammonia, nitrate and chorine/chloramine. also, throw away those test strips and buy a test kit with the test tubes. they cost a little more initially but, they give you about 600 tests vs. 10-25 for the strips. the test kits are far more accurate and you could tell us important information on your levels rather than the vague readings from the strips. the wardley professional is the best, but the api master test kit for freshwater is more widely available. body fungus can be cured with a combo of salt aquarium or kosher(they are the exact same thing), rid ich and the water changes that are in the directions on the rid ich bottle.
btw, when your parrots are full grown, you will need to do a 50% water change twice a week and you will need as much filtration as you can get if you want to keep them healthy in a 55 gallon.

Mon, 05/18/2009 - 10:11 — petcrew

update

I did the water change and levels were still very high. I do have two filters on my tanks and three air bars. Two I have set at a low output. My babies seem not to like swimming through the bubbles. The other is set at highest outpt. I will keep doing the changes and update as it goes. Thank you for the help!

Mon, 05/18/2009 - 08:20 — shaz

high levels

with 6 parrots in a 55 gall tank you need to do 30% water changes twice a week anyway, see if you can add another filter and air stone don't worry about the PH,If it was me, Id keep doing frequent small water changes and keep testing and post your results