The Puffer Forum

I have a 10 gallon tank with a GSP, and rainbow shark. its been set up for about 2 and a half months now. My nitrite and nitrate were always where they were supposed to be. However theyve recently be gradually getting higher and higher. I do about a 30-40 percent water change once a week.

This week before my water change everything was at:
pH-7.4
Ammonia-0
Nitrite-2.0
Nitrate-10

After 50 percent water change:
pH-7.4
Ammonia-0
Nitrite-2.0
Nitrate-80

Whats going on?!

For water treatment im using Kordon AmQuel Plus ammonia detoxifier and API stress coat +. Aqua clear ammonia remover and fluval biomax. And Running a FLUVAL U2 and a AQUATECH for a 5-15 gallon tank.

NitrAtes may be increasing after WC because of you source water.

NitrItes are not where "they are supposed to be", they should always be 0...You're nitrItes are way too high.

You are gonna hate me and the replies to follow but your tanks is WAY too samll for any of those fish kept alone.

Good luck and trust the advice that will follow. Your local fish store may have told you these fish could live together in a 10g but a GSP needs 55g as an adult and a rainbow shark needs at least the same. These fish also have completely different salinity (salt) requirements...No matter if they are babies or juviniles.


Good luck.

Huge +1 to JRC#'s comments above. The tank is 'way too small for either fish alone, and they certainly should not be together in any case. Start by checking out the recommendations for GSPs in the Pufferpedia.

yep +1 to the above... need bigger tanks and to seperate the fish, i would up the water change to 50% each day until you get them rehomed and i would get them rehomed rather quickly....

sorry real bummer to hear that info on christmas...but it is the truth...