July 30, 2008
| Water Tests |
| Ammonia | 0.5 |
| Nitrite | 0.25 |
| Nitrate | 10 |
| Ph | 7.0 |
With such a high nitrate level I had no choice but to change the water. I vacuumed the gravel while removing the "waste" water. In doing so I removed about 50% of water from the tank. Afterwards I refilled the tank using tap water treated with dechlorinate. Luckily this was completed with no casualties. Losing fish during routine water changes is not a normal occurrence, but it happened once. So I am very cautious to observe my fish before, during, and after water changes just to be safe. This way if something is unsatisfactory for the fish I should be able to tell by erratic or unusual behavior on the part of my fish.
July 31, 2008
| Water Tests |
| Ammonia | 0.25 |
| Nitrite | 0.25 |
| Nitrate | 7.5 |
| Ph | 7.0 |
Looking at the nitrate level, it might be time to take out one of my Plecostomus as they might be getting too big and are producing more ammonia. It won't be easy figuring out where to move him, but it's for the best.