should I worry

[little_angel81881]

ok I dont have exact #s I have the test strips sorry I will be buying a better test kit
PH 7.2-7.8
Ammonia .25 -.5
Nitrite .5-1.0
Nitrates80
What that poo I just did a water change 20% and it got worse I used Tetra water conditioner and Tetra easy balance and it went up - He isnt actin normal - this morning he was fine and eating and the levels where not that high so I did a water change and now its that and he doesnt really want to eat but all he does is swim back and forth and up and down and I just put in some java fern on saturday and I sware he is darker - I'll get a pic - oh and he is in fw still in 10 gal still waiting on 30 gal to set up but he is not even a inch

[Pufferpunk]

You're not doing large enough WC but hard to tell w/o proper test kits. Ammonia & nitrite must remain 0 at all times. Any amount of either is very toxic.

[little_angel81881]

so what should I do a larger wc - how much

[little_angel81881]

and what would make it go up when i did do the wc shouldnt have went down at least some not up

[Nick]

I'm not sure you should be using easybalance. It's a water change substitute additive, and I don't know what effects it might have other than neutralizing nitrates. Try doing a 50% or so water change, vacuuming the substrate very well.

[Pufferpunk]

I wouldn't trust those test strips much. Did you test right be fore the WC & right after? Unless your tap water contains ammonie & nitrite, WC can do nothing but good for you puffer. As much as 80% 2x/day or whatever necessary to keep those toxic levels down.

[little_angel81881]

I dont trust the strips - I will be getting a test kit soon if I didnt live an hour away from the closes store with them I would get them tonight but I did test my tap water after I put water conditioner in it and it shows a low amount of nitrates so whats up with that - but i think he was constipated b/c now he is pottying and it is like a knot and then a string and then a knot and he seems to be acting better but I am going to do another wc just to make sure - thanks for all the help I just hope he will be ok - he looks fine other than being a lil darker

[Pufferpunk]

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/p ... catid=4454
Shipping usually takes only a couple of days. Look in the Gen Disc forum for info about DFS discount.

[little_angel81881]

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/p ... catid=4454
Shipping usually takes only a couple of days. Look in the Gen Disc forum for info about DFS discount.

Ok so I am going to order that now anything else u suggest I get for puffer care

[Pufferpunk]

You can get buckets of salt for cheap & no extra charge for weight. Do you have a good hydrometer/refractometer? How about decor?

[edmlfc1]

I would test the tap water. I know my tap water ammonia is always .50-1.0. I know that sounds bad but it has always been that way. Usually after about 12-24 hours the amm. in my tank goes back to 0. If I test my water right after a water change it always shows amm. readings because of my tap.

[little_angel81881]

I checked the tap last night and it does have a lil nitrate and ammonia but very lil - i did a wc and he still is acting wierd - he wont eat but he is not skinny he looks healthy other than not paying me any attention and not interested in the food

[Pufferpunk]

Check the feeding articles in our Library.

[little_angel81881]

well just thought I would let yall know that Pooty didnt make it -

[Pufferpunk]