Parameters a bit off

Just wondering with the parameters I just took should I be worried, and if so, what should I do to get them back to normal levels ?

Ammonia 0ppm
Nitrite .25
PH 7.8
Nitrate 5.0

Thank you in advance,
Lissa

 

It's not that bad. how old is your tank and how big? I'm thinking a small water change should take care of it. nitrite should definitely be at 0, and your PH around 8.3. if the water change doesn't fix it get some Ph buffer. nitrate @ 5 isn't that bad. but u could try to get it @ 0 as well. my nitrate stays above 10 and i my livestock doesn't seem to mind.

 

How old is your tank? What size tank is that? You have 8 fish in there, do you have a sump? What kind of filtration do you have? Unless you are still cycling, your filtration may not be adaquate for the amount of fish. How much do you feed?

 

Hey thanks that was quick !

My tank is 55 gal, and 4 months old.

Up until today, all my levels were perfect. Don't know what could have changed the quality.

 

Heavy bioload may be catching up with you. You are going to have to have excellent husbandry skills with that load. What are you using for filtration?

 

Kimmy,
come to think about it, I started a week ago today switching from Formula two once a day to Bio-Pure Mysis Shrimpfrozen shrimp the other day, and feeding my yellow tang a nori clip every day. (2" x 2" square).

Do you think the I could be over feeding the shrimp/nori ?

 

good possability it's the frozen food. I used to have a problem with nitrates when i feed only frozen, now it's only flake w/ frozen as an occasional treat. My nitrates range from 0 to 5.

could also be that you are feeding too much shrimp.

 

Kimmy,

In response to system filtration, Bio-wheel Power Wet/dry Biological Filter, Nano skimmer and a sac of Pura-Complete behind the Power head/Filter. So far my concerns with Yellowish / Cloudy water are all gone, but now I have a concern with the water chemistry, and will do a water change if necessary.

 

water change will help, but only short lived if you are over feeding. I don't know much about bio wheels except that I hear they can build up nitrates. I rely on LR.

 

Your probably right, I cut off a tiny corner and let it disolve in small cup of tank water, and then dump it in. I thought I was doing the fish good. But probably over feeding and should only five it once a week ???:-[