Problems with an 80 US Gallon tank. [Archive]

ms1000

10-07-2007, 01:10 PM

Hi all, ive cycled my 80 g tank fine and have been running my tank for a few months now but the water starts to go green after around 4-7 daysWeve also suffered considerable fish loss but my master test kits run fine. im sure its my Eheim cannister filter not functioning properly.

Just how strong should the flow of water be put into the tank? At the moment its not much more than a trickle and the "jet" of water only goes down around 2-3 cms when it enters the water. Ive seen the ones working in Aquarium shops being litteraly at tap speed.

Also, as its an open top style tank it starts to stink out my lounge when the water starts to turn.

Any advice before the Mrs files for divorce?

Lady Hobbs

10-07-2007, 01:29 PM

Sounds to me as outside light is hitting the tank?

Your filter tubes might be clogged and need a brush run thru them or replaced possibly. How long since filter media has been changed?

gm72

10-07-2007, 03:25 PM

Bill M.

10-07-2007, 04:40 PM

Maybe you could check the valves on the top of the filter....make sure the "out" one is fully opened... I run an Eheim 2232 on my 29, and I have no problems with it.... I love Eheims...German excellance at its best!

"Lang leib Eheim!"

ms1000

10-07-2007, 06:34 PM

I agree with Lady. Sounds like you need to take the filter apart and clean it, run a brush through the tubes. Eheims are great canisters, I use them exclusively and have had no problems. Something is clogged.

The algae sounds like excessive light.

Thanks for the replys all. The excessive light you talk about,is this natural light? If so then definately not. If you mean the Aquarium lights then i hve them on for maybe 9 hrs a day?

Ive cleaned and brushed the filter through with the same end result.I will explain the media in sequence from bottom to top to see if ive made some sort of error,please excuse the ignorance of the names,im really not too up on the jargon!

Ceramic tube/cylinders

Blue scourer pad type ring, 4cm thick.

Ceramic style balls ???

Blue scourer pad type ring, 4cm thick.

Circular white fine membrane felt ??

Black very fine felt.

Exit.

I hope this helps in some way.

gm72

10-07-2007, 06:40 PM

I don't recognize the black felt you are describing. Did it come with the filter? Maybe it is a carbon insert?

Drumachine09

10-07-2007, 06:43 PM

Maybe adding a UV sterylizer will help with the green water.

gm72

10-07-2007, 06:50 PM

ms1000

10-07-2007, 06:57 PM

That would work, but I wonder why the algae is occurring in the first place? Not excessive light, so something else is happening in that tank. The fish loss is also of concern.

ms1000, what are your water parameters? What is your tank maintenance schedule?

Drumachine, i have a Tetra UV sterilizer running just before the filtered water enters the tank.

gm72,I live in Tenerifé(spain) and the water is particularly harsh, chlorine etc so i use bottled water.This also gets treated with Aquasafe to the reccomended dosage.So far ive been changing around 1/4 of the water per week.

Im sorry,im not certaqin what you mean by parameters of the water ?

Thanks.

gm72

10-07-2007, 06:59 PM

You need to be able to check ammonia, nitrIte, and nitrAte levels. I wonder what the kH and gH are as well? pH?

ms1000

10-07-2007, 07:04 PM

Hi gm72,i will list the results of a full water test in a moment.

Thanks for your help.

ms1000

10-07-2007, 07:54 PM

Hi gm72,

Using a TetraTest Analyset the results were:

O2 = 5-6

ph = 8-8.5

NH = 0mgl

NO3 = 9-11

KH = 35 drops to yellow

GH = 20 drops till green

Thanks.

gm72

10-07-2007, 07:57 PM

pH is a little high, not sure how to interpret your KH and GH results as you don't list the actual levels.

ms1000

10-07-2007, 08:07 PM

Hi, gm.

Unfortunately the Gh/KH test result card has been mislaid somewhere along the lines.

What is the best way to reduce ph ?

gm72

10-07-2007, 08:09 PM

We first need to identify if reducing your pH is necessary. Fish are very compatible with a wide range of pH levels. Stability is the key. What fish have you been trying to keep?

ms1000

10-07-2007, 08:17 PM

I have:

2 Sailfin Molly

4 Yellow Molly

4 Swordtail

10 Zebra

1 Gold Gourami

6 Fancy Guppy

2 small Angels

1 Pleco

5 small catfish

4 Black Phantom

5 Tetra (shark like shape with black/white tail) only know the spanish name im afraid.

So far any Neon Tetra have not lasted at all, Guppy also dont do very well.Also lost 5 Bala Shark.

gm72

10-07-2007, 08:32 PM

Well first and foremost let's stop adding any fish until we figure this out.

Questions:
1. What catfish?
2. What pleco?

ms1000

10-07-2007, 08:45 PM

Well first and foremost let's stop adding any fish until we figure this out.

Questions:
1. What catfish?
2. What pleco?

The Catfish are Cory and the pleco im not cetain on .The tetra are Rummy Nose ive just been told.

gm72

10-07-2007, 08:47 PM

If your pleco is a common pleco it will grow to 18" or more. What corydoras? Any idea? It is very important to know what you are keeping.

ms1000

10-07-2007, 08:50 PM

Bronze Cory and im pretty sure its a common pleco and nothing fancy.

gm72

10-07-2007, 08:51 PM

Okay, good. Now, how do you clean your tank? What is the filtration?

We'll get this all figured out, no problem! :c10:

ms1000

10-07-2007, 08:59 PM

I change 1/4 of the water every 7-10 days with aquasafe treated bottled water as the tap water here is extremely harsh. The Eheim filter runs all the time.

Apart from cleaning the inside with a scourer on a stick and removing plant leaves/ dead leaves thats about it.

spudbuds

10-07-2007, 10:41 PM

Are you heating the bottled water to match the temperature of the tank before adding it?

A340

10-08-2007, 01:03 AM

Just gonna take a stab at this one, so anyone who would like to correct me, please feel free to do so.

My guess is that it's the NO3 (nitrate) level. It's not overly high, but right on the border since you want it to be under 10ppm. The higher your NO3, the more at risk you are for an algae outbreak.

Also, what are your PO4 (phosphate) levles, there is a good chance that a combination of high NO3 and PO4 is your culprit.

These high levels would also explain why you've been losing fish.

ms1000

10-08-2007, 07:22 AM

Hi, the bottled water is only 1º below the tanks temparature before it is added due to the high temperature here.

As for the Phosphate tests i will have to buy a kit today and test that as my kit doesnt have a phosphate tester.

How would i go about reducing the Nitrate levels ?

A340

10-08-2007, 07:39 AM

High nitrates are caused by over feeding and poor water conditions. High phosphate is also casued by over feeding.

To reduce the level of nitrates, you need to perform larger water changes and watch that you're not overfeeding the fish. Adding live plants will also reduce the level of nitrates. You can also add nitrate/phosphate remover media to your filter such as Chemi-Pure.

Also, what kind of Ehim filter are you running?

ms1000

10-08-2007, 08:44 AM

Its an Eheim 2215, im convinced its the filter thats causing the problem as there is no way the filter is turning the tanks volume over in an hour, id say its doing maybe 1/4 of the volume.I must admit to maybe over feeding as i have a very greedy Gourami that doesnt seem to give the others a chance.I will stop this.

I may go to my local store and get another filter,it wont do any harm to run 2 would it ?

ms1000

10-08-2007, 10:31 AM

Hi all, just returned from my local store with a new filter, a Tetratec EX1200. Should i run the filter prior to a water change or after? I only ask on here as this being a small island we only have a limited supply of pet stores and they usually specialise in dogs and are on the whole pretty clueless on Aquariums.

Thanks.

A340

10-08-2007, 06:36 PM

The Eheim 2215 is only rated for 92g, there is a rule of thumb that most of us use when it comes to filteration You take the max rating that the filter is good for and divide it by half. So, with the Eheim 2215, is actually on really good for a 45g tank and not an 80 as yours.

The Tetratec EX1200 is rated for 125g (if I'm not mistaked), so it's only good for about a 60g tank.

Most of us overfilter our tanks, which means we have more than one filter. I think most of us would recommend you getting a second filter.

In order to set up your new filter though, I would leave your old one running for a couple of weeks while you have your new one running, this way you are ensured that the new filter well get all the bacteria it needs while the second one is still established.

Also, I believe you said you are from Tenerife (beautiful Island), so you have access to a lot of great online catalogs and don't have to worry about customs or switching to/from the €.

If you're German is OK, I recommend ....

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

ms1000

10-08-2007, 07:23 PM

Hi ALizee, thanks for your help.Ive kept the Eheim filter going along with the new Tetratec one and its filtering great. Ive also put in a new blower which has improved the current in the tank and the fish seem alot lot happier.

A340

10-09-2007, 06:56 AM

No problem. I hope that this does solve your problems/concerns. If not, just let us know and I'm sure one of us will be more than happy to help you. This site is full of great and knowledgable people who like to help.

ms1000

10-09-2007, 07:26 PM

A340

10-09-2007, 07:32 PM

Tank is running great now, crystal clear water, happy fish,good water levels and a happy Mrs because the smell has gone!

Shall i leave the filters, bubble wall and current creator on 24/7 ?

Also would 8 hrs a day of light be ok ?

Thanks.
Good to hear everything is working out for you. Keep both filters, bubbler and current (I'm assuming powerhead?) on 24/7, they (especially the filters) are important.

The lights can be kept on for 8 hours a day, you could even go to 10 if you wanted to (just keep an eye on the algae) and throw in a "rainy day" once a week. That's where you don't turn the lights on, just let the natural daylight light up the tank to simulate a dark, rainy day for your tank.