Aquarium Issues
By catriana13
@catriana13 (245)
United States
September 15, 2011 12:33am CST
Hi everyone. I have a 55 gallon aquarium, and it only has 2 fish in it, but I'm having a terrible time with my Nitrate Levels. I've tried everything from chemicals to water changes, and nothing seems to work. Today I was told by a petstore employee to remove the undergravel filter and just run a back filter.
Does anyone here have any helpful advice about this?
1 person likes this
5 responses
@MrGummiBear (1)
• United States
15 Sep 11
1. To keep nitrate levels low in your fish tank, make sure to change 25% of the water in your fish tank weekly. This removes the nitrate ridden water with fresh tap water.
2. Remember not to overfeed your fish. The general rule of thumb is that a fish's stomach is about as big as its eyes. Remove uneaten food from the tank with a gravel vaccuum, so the food doesn't build up and ruin your fish tank.
3. Another rule of thumb is that a 1 inch fish should get around 1 gallon of water.
If you follow these directions, your aquarum should be fine in no time. :)
@catriana13 (245)
• United States
15 Sep 11
that's just it, I have been doing all of that, and I have only two fish, in a very large aquarium.
1 person likes this
@trinidadvelasco (11401)
• Philippines
28 Sep 11
For a gravel vacuum to be effective, there has to be minimal or no sand in the aquarium but gravel and stones. Also, no undergravel filter shall be used. The dirt which have been collected underneath due to the action of the undergravel filter cannot be sucked out using the gravel vacuum.
@albto_568 (1268)
• Costa Rica
15 Oct 11
I had that problem too, now I use a dual sistem with a cascade filter, and an undergravel filter, I also keeps many natural plants, that helps me to keep and accurate balance, other thing that is important is not to over feed your fishes, is better to feed them twice or three times a day, than once, and see some food going to the grave. I replace small amounts of water, maybe 20%, I am not so extrict in the measurements as I should, I am afraid, twice a month.
@Fishmomma (11377)
• United States
29 Sep 11
Could somebody else be feeding the fish in your home? Also I removed the underground filter in all my tanks and they work right. If nobody else is feeding the fish, then it sounds like the problem is the filter. How old is the filter?
@trinidadvelasco (11401)
• Philippines
28 Sep 11
Yes, just follow the advice of the petstore guy. I have noticed too that, the undergravel filter causes some problems to crop up from time to time. As of now, all of my aquarium units are without them.
Another thing that I have been doing is doing away with the sand in the aquarium. I still use some gravel though and some stones, too. Oh, yes, a good amount of aerators.
Since you only keep two fishes in a 55 gallon tank, I do not understand why you are experiencing such a problem. It must have been caused by too much fish feed in the tank. Just keep an eye on your aquarium bottom. Check on the precipitates. That will give you the clue as to whether someone else is helping you feed those fishes.
@Soccerfish (3)
• United States
14 Oct 11
Can you offer some more information.
What types of fish and sizes are they?
how often and what are you feeding?
last time you did a water change and gravel vacumed.
what is your nitrates at? Ph and ammoinia? Nitrites?
I work at a pet store in the fish and I have worked with fish for 11 years so I will do my best to help you. I dont think you should have to take your UGF out.
