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Roger L.
07-09-2013, 04:10 PM
I have had my Tilapia for about 3 weeks now with no problems. Today I have found 2 floaters. I inspected them and see no signs of abnormal growth or fungus. I test the water everyday and nothing shows up abnormal. Coincidence? Plenty of air (48"bubble tube) and none of the fish have been gasping for air. I'm going to hold off feeding a couple of days and see what happens. Any thoughts?

keith_r
07-09-2013, 04:24 PM
what are your water parameters? temp, ph, ammonia, nitrites and nitrates?
how big is your fish tank? how big is your growbed? how many fish?

Roger L.
07-09-2013, 07:08 PM
Temp. 76
PH. 6.4
Ammonia. 2ppm
Nitrites. 5ppm
Nitrates. 0ppm

keith_r
07-09-2013, 08:13 PM
salt to 3ppt, hold off on feed until ammonia and nitrites drop

Roger L.
07-10-2013, 05:01 AM
Is there a tester for salt?

keith_r
07-10-2013, 05:58 AM
a refractometer will test for salt, but for every liter of water, 1 gram of salt is 1ppt

Roger L.
07-10-2013, 09:08 AM
662 grams sounds like a lot for 175 gallon tank.

JCO
07-15-2013, 11:52 PM
So did you add the salt? How are the Tilapia coming along now? :mrgreen:

Roger L.
07-16-2013, 07:40 AM
Started adding the salt and it seems to have made everyone happy, happy, happy!

Oliver
07-16-2013, 11:57 PM
Your pH is too low
Your ammonia is too high probably due to your low pH
Your Nitrites are way too high, again, probably due to your low pH
No Nitrates, as a result of your bacteria not performing due to low pH

You need your bacteria to grow as quickly as possible, especially while cycling your system. They need a high pH, around 7.5, and lots of dissolved oxygen to multiply.

Your high nitrites may be what is killing your fish.

Oliver

Roger L.
07-17-2013, 07:58 AM
Ok Oliver, up goes the ph, slowly of course, to help the process. Thanks for the help guys!