Help: Treatment for nitrate spike

[Edmundo]

Need some advice.

My pseuda comm got hit by nitrate spikes last weekend. i did water change 60% on sunday and every two days.

No death but some of them not eating well.

I did force feed of Garlic Guard on two of them cos not eating.

What else can i do to improve their appetite :confused:

[celticfish]

I use to increase temparature to induce appetite for discus.
Once they start eating they are safe.

But as I'm new to plecos I can't say.
If the fish come from warmer waters it might be safe and worth a try though.

btw how do you know its a nitrate spike?!?

[akoh]

What is the water parameter before and after water change ?, signs and symptons of plecs and any new additional !.

[SoToNgMaN]

my procedures for nitrate spike is to maintain filter.

usually drastic drop of PH == nitrate spike.

[Edmundo]

I use to increase temparature to induce appetite for discus.
Once they start eating they are safe.

But as I'm new to plecos I can't say.
If the fish come from warmer waters it might be safe and worth a try though.

btw how do you know its a nitrate spike?!?

Sunken eye n stomach and heavy breathing

What is the water parameter before and after water change ?, signs and symptons of plecs and any new additional !.

PH is stable at 6plus. Before or after. ammonia 0ppm nitrate n nitrite i nvr check cos iu dun have the test kit. no need addition of plecos except feeders for PBass.

my procedures for nitrate spike is to maintain filter.

usually drastic drop of PH == nitrate spike.

i think the overloading of plecos on the filter system may have causes this

[barmby]

huh.. i think you should know what to do :)

[Edmundo]

huh.. i think you should know what to do :)

Fish keeping always has never ending learing.............. :o haiz......... :(

[barmby]

Strange. Correct me if I am wrong.

- How can there be nitrate spike without a spike in algae ? Nitrate = Black Brush Algae? My altum bare tank with dw is full of bba now.
- It takes a long time to get nitrate as it is a end product of ammonia->ammonium->nitrite->nitrate
- That is the case. floating plants will solve the problem?
- But if it is NH3 or NH4, your fish will die first before not eating :)
- In conclusion, nitrate spike not possible. Nitrate exist over a period of time in mature tanks. And fish not eating well is not a matter of over night issue too..

[Edmundo]

Strange. Correct me if I am wrong.

- How can there be nitrate spike without a spike in algae ? Nitrate = Black Brush Algae? My altum bare tank with dw is full of bba now.
- It takes a long time to get nitrate as it is a end product of ammonia->ammonium->nitrite->nitrate
- That is the case. floating plants will solve the problem?
- But if it is NH3 or NH4, your fish will die first before not eating :)
- In conclusion, nitrate spike not possible. Nitrate exist over a period of time in mature tanks. And fish not eating well is not a matter of over night issue too..

Corrrect myself, maybe nitrite? definitely bio-load couple with inadequate filtration load causes the issue.

but i tested the NH3 is zero. and PH6.5.

i suspect, the spikes in NO2 or NO3 is the main cause which is common in pleco keeping. :(