Some Tips For The Neglected Tank Owner

Typical for a neglected tank…. most aquariums will tend to go down in pH and up in Nitrates if not maintained properly.

Add 1 teaspoon of Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate) per 20 gallons of water to gently raise the pH, and kH (The kH will indicate how stable the pH will be; keep it above 3). A kH of 3 to 5 is adequate for most freshwater fish that require a fairly neutral pH (7.0) Do NOT buy the garbage they sell in the store to raise the pH, its basically Sodium Bicarb and costs 5 times as much. Buy a nice size box of baking soda (NOT Baking Powder) at your local food store. Add as directed above into tank (Mix with a half gallon of aquarium water in a container or pail first, do not add baking soda directly into tank, always dissolve it first and pour it in. Re-check pH in a 6 hours, if still low (below 6.6) repeat dose. Also…. increasing aeration will help boost the pH as well….but dont overdo it.

Also to raise the General Hardness which Im sure you’ll have to (Test it first), use Magnesium Sulfate (EMPSOM SALT). Do NOT buy the chemicals they sell at the aquarium store, they are the same, and cost 5 times the cost. Buy some Epsom salts, and mix 1 tablespoon per 20 gallons of aquarium water into a pail or container, and add to tank.


As far as the Nitrate problem….water changes..water changes…water changes. Do not overfeed, do frequent water chages (25% once a week is perfect), remove plant debris from any live plants. Do not overstock the tank with fish (1/2 inch of fish per useable gallon of water, a 55 gallon tank does NOT have 55 gallons of water, allow 15% volume for gravel, rocks, etc.)

You do not need to add stress zyme or other live bacteria if your tank is cycled, and you are not having ammonia or nitrite problems. If doing a major gravel wash you can sometimes add a bit, but thats about it, it cant hurt.

Live plants will always help with the Nitrate problem, but they have needs too, such as proper lighting intensity and duration, occassional plant food supplement, fish that Will NOT eat or dig them up (cichlids, etc) and a good supply of nitrates which you obviously have.

Remember, keep it natural, and stay away from aquarium store chemicals and quick fixes.