Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 10:31 pm
I'm sorry to hear that the fish are still struggling. Are you using Paragon by Aquatronics? I hate to tell you this, but Aquatronics went out of business several years ago. All their products should have been pulled off the shelves and discontinued long ago. Check the experation date on the pruduct. It must be atleast a few years old and probably not good anymore if it is Paragon.
(edit- Nevermind this. Paragone for Discus is different product)
I have a few other suggestions, maybe not for now, but maybe later. IMO, the tank is severly underfiltered. Not nearly enough bio-filtration for a 120 gallon tank. Biowheels can handle small steady amounts of ammonia, but they don't handle ammonia spikes well at all. Powerhead sponges should only be counted on for mechanical filtration. I suggest looking into a couple of canister filters, in addition to HOB biowheels you have.
IME, Phosphates wouldn't suddenly kill fish either, especially if you've been doing regular water changes and very especially if the Nitrates were only 20 ppm.
I agree with Helen, the phosphates are probably from your water source. My tap water is high in phosphates also. I'm not sure why any LFS would test for phosphates on a freshwater tank. Can anyone answer that? My only guess is to push phosphate remover products. I have serious questions about this LFS.
(edit- Nevermind this. Paragone for Discus is different product)
I have a few other suggestions, maybe not for now, but maybe later. IMO, the tank is severly underfiltered. Not nearly enough bio-filtration for a 120 gallon tank. Biowheels can handle small steady amounts of ammonia, but they don't handle ammonia spikes well at all. Powerhead sponges should only be counted on for mechanical filtration. I suggest looking into a couple of canister filters, in addition to HOB biowheels you have.
IME, Phosphates wouldn't suddenly kill fish either, especially if you've been doing regular water changes and very especially if the Nitrates were only 20 ppm.
I agree with Helen, the phosphates are probably from your water source. My tap water is high in phosphates also. I'm not sure why any LFS would test for phosphates on a freshwater tank. Can anyone answer that? My only guess is to push phosphate remover products. I have serious questions about this LFS.