GBR sick?

[Aiden123]

Hi guys,
I have noticed my female GBR showing some weird behaviour over the last couple of days.



I have done a water test and here are the results:

Ammonia:0.00
Nitrite:0.00
Nitrate:80-160
PH:<6


I know my nitrate is too high and I will be correcting that with water changes today, just want to know if the nitrate is the possible cause of the GBR's behaviour.

P.S my nitrate reading is usually around 20 before a water change, however I found a dead snail around the back of the tank when investigating the GBR's behaviour (can see in video) so I am guessing the increased nitrate level is due to that.

Thanks

[mommy1]

The nitrate certainly isn't helping. I suggest a huge water change, or two large ones back to back and then see how she acts. It almost looks like mating behavior but the male wants none of it. I see him at the top at one point in the video but he goes away, or maybe they aren't a true pair. Changing some water might make him change his mind.

[Aiden123]

The nitrate certainly isn't helping. I suggest a huge water change, or two large ones back to back and then see how she acts. It almost looks like mating behavior but the male wants none of it. I see him at the top at one point in the video but he goes away, or maybe they aren't a true pair. Changing some water might make him change his mind.

Thanks for your suggestion
They are a pair and have spawned several times in the last few months.
Since I use remineralised R/O and me not filling up my R/O tank this week (my bad), I have to delay the water change for an hour or two while the tank fills up. I'll be able to do one big water change (50%) today and then same tomorrow.
I shall be buying another R/O water container to have more stored so hopefully this delayed water change issue won't be a problem in the future.

[fishmommie]

Wow. those nitrates, IMO, are the cause of your ram's problem. Good thing you are getting on top of it it. Rams are super sensative to poor water quality. best bet would be as suggested and bring the trates down asap to less than 10PPM
Good luck. i hope you don't lose her. The rapid breathing, IME, cannot be a good sign.
How unfortunate the snail's death fouled your tank.
Again - good job finding and getting on top of this

[cm12setx]

Read you journal and you keep your tank in good.shape. with a water change and sense you removed the dead snail. I hope it gets better. Encouragement is good for us all.

[mommy1]

those nitrates, IMO, are the cause of your ram's problem

Well, of course the nitrates that high are a problem. I never meant to imply different.

[Aiden123]

Thanks for your encouragement everyone, I really hope she gets through this.

If I only used remineralised R/O for the change I won't be able to do the required amount until tomorrow so I am thinking about cutting my tap water with R/O water and then remineralising to make up the difference in tank water. Doing this means I could just about change 90% of the tank water today starting in around 2 hours.

However I have never cut with tap water before so I have no idea what percentage ratio I need to use.

My tap parameters:
TDS:200
GH:7
KH:3
PH:7.4

Tank parameters:
TDS:150
GH:6
KH:0-1
PH:<6

If anyone could give me an indication of the ratio I need, it would be much appreciated.

[fishmommie]

Well, of course the nitrates that high are a problem. I never meant to imply different.

LOL And I never meant to imply that you did. I was agreeing with you :o) Sorry if my phrasing said otherwise. You absolutely nailed it.

[cm12setx]

Thanks for your encouragement everyone, I really hope she gets through this.

If I only used remineralised R/O for the change I won't be able to do the required amount until tomorrow so I am thinking about cutting my tap water with R/O water and then remineralising to make up the difference in tank water. Doing this means I could just about change 90% of the tank water today starting in around 2 hours.


However I have never cut with tap water before so I have no idea what percentage ratio I need to use.

I
My tap parameters:
TDS:200
GH:7
KH:3
PH:7.4

Tank parameters:
TDS:150
GH:6
KH:0-1
PH:<6

If anyone could give me an indication of the ratio I need, it would be much appreciated.

I think 1 part tap to 3 or 4 parts ro water. I think in that range you will be ok. But test like mixing 1 cup tap to 4 cups ro to see what ph and hardness will be and rember to declornate water before adding to tank.

[Aiden123]

Thanks,
Ill have to test a few samples to see which is closest to the tank's parameters.