Am I "over-chemicaling" my water?

[Max Thomas]

I have three goldfish in a forty gallon tank (Black Moore almost two years old, red cap oranda half a year old and a new Ryukin a few months old) and I'm afraid I may be putting too many chemicals in the water.

I have Well water so I have no concern for chlorine, but I do get heavy metals. I use the following every weekly water change:

-API Quick start
-API Stress-Zyme
-API Stress-coat
-a little bit of aquarium salt

The water is still cloudy as well even after a very thorough cleaning. A friend recommended water clearafier (she has six golds in a forty gallon breeder and the water is clean as a whistle!) I also have a fifty gallon filter attached to the tank if that helps.

I'm afraid if I start adding water clearafier it would just over-chemicalize the water. My fish sometimes act irritated or sick but I can't find any physical signs of illness like ick, dropsy or swim blades disease! Am I adding too many chemicals? Are there some I don't need? Is there something I'm missing? Would you recommend another product? I've kept a common goldfish for eight years but when I switched to fancies after he died I've been riddled with bad luck! (I lost a Shubunkin and a panda moor both a year old or less! I spent hundreds on trying to cure whatever was wrong!)

 

[Rbishop]

What is your exact filtration and a list of all media in it? Have you checked the local authorities to see what is typical in the groundwater for your area?

 

[tanker]

I would just stay with the WC to clear the water. How big are your WC and how often? Are you doing a gravel vac? Are you feeding too much?

 

[FreshyFresh]

Max, I'd probably just use the product that "detoxifies" heavy-metals. I don't know off hand which, if any of those API products do that, but I believe Seachem Prime or Safe does this.

Do you have a read in PPM for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate for your tank water?

 

[Max Thomas]

What is your exact filtration and a list of all media in it? Have you checked the local authorities to see what is typical in the groundwater for your area?

I have an AquaClear 50 filter. Inside is a sponge, a bag of carbon and finally bio-material at the top. And they say typical groundwater is just metal and bacteria filtered through from the rainwater. I mean the water's safe enough for people to drink.

 

[Max Thomas]

I would just stay with the WC to clear the water. How big are your WC and how often? Are you doing a gravel vac? Are you feeding too much?

I didn't know water clarifier also got rid of of hard metals, Amonia and stuff like that. I also have no substrate but I do use a siphon during water changes. I feed them once a day and it's only a small amount- I soak it for a few seconds before giving it to them. I also substitute their diet with shelled peas and spinach.

 

[Max Thomas]

Max, I'd probably just use the product that "detoxifies" heavy-metals. I don't know off hand which, if any of those API products do that, but I believe Seachem Prime or Safe does this.

Do you have a read in PPM for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate for your tank water?

I don't have any way to test the water but I did order a new test kit and it should be here soon! I looked at Seachem Prime and it seems perfect! I ordered a bottle of it. I hope to try it out this weekend when I do the water change.

 

[Rbishop]

For me, an AC50 on a 40 gal tank with three fancies is way under filtered.

 

[Max Thomas]

For me, an AC50 on a 40 gal tank with three fancies is way under filtered.

What type of filter would you suggest?

 

[FreshyFresh]

What type of filter would you suggest?

I would recommend adding an Aquaclear 70 along with your 50 if you want another hang on back style. You could add an Aquaclear 110 even. I run a 110 and a big sponge bubbler filter on my goldfish 55g that has two fancies and a comet.