The Puffer Forum

PH 8.2
Ammonia .50 (tap water also measures .50)
Nitrite 2
Nitrate 20
Salinity 1.005
Tank size 120 gallon
2 GSP
Temp. 80

Moved my puffers to the 120 Gallon 8 days ago (11/4/07)
On the 5th day ammonia went up to .25, nitrite .25 nitrate 10
on the 6th day ammonia .50, nitrite .50, nitrate 10 did a 25% water change
on the 7th day ammonia .50, nitrite 1, nitrate 20 did a 25% water change
today ammonia .50, nitrite 2, nitrate 40 doing a 75% water change

When I moved the puffers from the 44 gallon to the 120 gallon I moved all their decor and their Whisper 60 filter, I have also added another whisper 60 and a Magnum 350. (Waiting for the Eheim 2229 to come in). I know this probally does not matter but I used their water also from the 44 gallon. I figured this would be like a 70% water change. (after I vaccumed the sand) I also added more sand to their tank and then took their sand that was in the 44 gallon and used it as the top layer. Then I added more decor. I know the first two water changes were probally not enough thats why I am doing a bigger one today. I was going to order the Bio-Spira Friday but shipping would have been $102. I am planning to order it tomorrow when the next day shipping is $35.
They are fed only on even days 2nd, 4th, 6th etc. I have been hand feeding to keep most of the food from falling to the bottom (bloodworms and shrimp). I have been testing the water daily. The old tank had perfect water conditions:
PH 8.2
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10
Saltinity 1.005
Temp 80
Using: Instant Ocean Marine Salt

After reading the forums with high nitrites and most of the puffers passing I am getting very worried. Any suggestions?
They are acting normal, chomping their teeth at me, checking out their new tank, swimming around and rushing to eat when it's feeding time. There has been no color change. And I have been using prime for every water change enough for 150 gallons. Is there anything else I can do.

Just keep up with the big water changes to keep the pollutants down as much as possible until the bio-spira arrives and hope that the levels dont affect them too much.

Just finished water change and ordered Bio Spira, my test results were (liquid test kits)
PH 8.2
Ammonia .50 (same as tap)
Nitrite 1
Nitrates 10-20
Should I do another water change tonight? Or should I wait until the morning. One more questions should I do a water change after adding Bio Spira?

I just did another water change (50%). Retested my water and this is what I have now.
PH 8.2
Ammonia .50 (tap water 1.0) tested the tap water twice it's right .... 1.0. scary!!!
Nitrite: down to .25
Nitrate: 10

I will check my water again in the morning. Hopefully my Nitrite's won't go up again. If it does I will do another 50% water change before I leave for work.
Still need to know should I do a water change before adding bio-spira? Or how long should I wait to do a water change after adding bio-spira?

Thanks

You really need to contact your water company & conplain about the ammonia in your tap water. Are you using Prime to dechlor? That will help tdetoxify the ammonia. Keep doing water changes, until the test for nitrite is 0.

What kind of puffers are they? I don't understand--unless these puffers are quite large, how the parameters could be that bad in a tank that large, with only 2 puffers. Plus, you moved everything over from the established tank. It just doesn't make any sense...

You really need to contact your water company & conplain about the ammonia in your tap water. Are you using Prime to dechlor? That will help detoxify the ammonia. Keep doing water changes until the test for nitrite is 0.

What kind of puffers are they? I don't understand--unless these puffers are quite large, how the parameters could be that bad in a tank that large, with only 2 puffers. Plus, you moved everything over from the established tank. It just doesn't make any sense...

The only fish in my tank are 2 GSP, I use prime for every water change. My puffers are about 2"-2 1/2" each. I have also been raising the salt by 1.001 a week. I have it up to 1.005 at the moment. I know the water company just flushed the lines about 3 days ago (I have brown water when they do this and had to run my water for about an hour to clear it back up) that could be why the ammonia is so high. I will test the tap again before I do another water change. I ordered the bio-spira last night, it should be here tomorrow (tuesday). I am going to start another water change right now.

Quick question: Do I need to lower my salt (currently at 1.005) before I add the bio-spira? Or will all the bacteria die off from the bio-spira if I keep the salt at 1.005? I will have the bio-spira first thing in the morning.
Also I purchased 2-3oz bottles of the fresh water bio-spira which treats 90 gallons of water. My tank is 120 gallons not counting all the decor or the sand, with all that in it, it should be approx 90 gallons of water.
My next question is should I use just one bottle and see what happens then use the other bottle or should I just go ahead and use both bottles at once. (worried that the salt in the tank will kill off all the new bacteria from the bio-spira.)

I think at 1.005 the bacteria for fresh should be fine. I think i've read before not to do a water change after adding for a certain time, the time should be in the pack. I think I would add the one bottle then add the fish and if you get any readings after which hopefully you shouldnt then add the 2nd bottle. Thats just me though.