Hi all,
Been a while since I last posted, things have been going fine even managed to get some decent plant growth. Will add some pics shortly however... the reason I'm here is I'm losing fish.
Originally I wasn't even seeing the fish going missing, I've read up that the shrimp more than likely had a feast. I'm usually good at spotting deaths but with more and more plants it's getting difficult. I honestly don't think the fish deaths are causing the rest i.e. I'm not seeing any ammonia spikes.
I noticed three weeks ago my Nitrate was at a level I couldn't read on testing (too red to really work out the level). Bit of quick research and realised the plant fertislier I was using contained Nitrate and my tap water is already fairly high so I've switched to a fertiliser with no nitrate added and this switch happened about 3 weeks ago.
I use 50% water from spotless water solutions so 0% chemicals and then 50% tap water. This is also to combat the very very hard water in my area.
Now my memory isn't the best but I reckon three weeks ago I lost a Harlequin Rasbora and Neon Tetra within 12hrs. I've since lost another Harlequin Rasbora and now one is sat on it's side on the bottom and if swims is summersaulting. Other fish are doing well Cherry Barbs, white cloud minnows, black widow tetras, danios and honey gourami although I have noticed one of these is a pale yellow whilst the other 4 are a lovely bright deep yellow. Actually not sure if they are honey gourami, they are bright yellow but they are not fall size gourami and maidenhead aquatics did have them listed and sold separate to dwarf gourami's.
I'll also add, I've gone from 11 neon tetras to 3 now over 9months and can't say I've spotted and got them all out the tank.
Anyway I know the score... water readings
They are on route with the photos.....