Recovering a struggling tank

[Mfisher]

Hi all,

I’m after some help. For the last few months, I feel like I’ve been fighting a constant battle in keeping my tank clean - lots of algae, waste on the floor, plants dying, poorly fish (not had any deaths as I manage to save them in time).

I haven’t had any new additions to the tank for at least 6 months, and it’s at about 75% capacity. I do weekly water changes, cleans etc. but it’s starting to become a mammoth task - and means if I miss a clean cycle due to being unwell, it turns into a nightmare.

I’ve ordered 5 new snails, so hopefully they’ll help with the algae. I’ve also ordered some new filter media. Any other suggestions? I’ve attached my water readings.

[plankton]

Lights down to a max of 8 hours per day, cleaning as necessary.
What fish do you have? It looks relatively soft water, so some plants (like vallis for example) won't like it much.

[Mfisher]

I have cut the lights down to 8 hours a few days ago, so I’m hoping that will help!

The fish: Gold barbs, glow light danios, silver hatchets, a red lizard whiptail and a gold Congo frog.

[James]

I've had a similar problem with mine. Lost everything apart from 1 Cory, it's now stabilised and algae isn't anything ore than "normal". It's taken quite a while though, must be over a year since everything was lost.

I'm hoping to set up a quarantine tank shortly and get some more cories in to keep my remaining one company, but will have to seek advice as to how to go about that with him being on his own for so long. Didn't want to add more fish when it was chaos in case they died too.

[plankton]

Have you also made sure that there's not a lot of "gunk" in the filter?
If the flow isn't great through the media it can cause high nitrates which won't help against algae.

[Mfisher]

Yeah, I’ve checked gunk in the filter. I’ve just done a clean, adjusted where the filter sits and added the new filter media as mentioned previously. Here’s to hoping it makes a difference

[Mfisher]

Things are looking a lot better this week! I’ve also had some new plants arrive courtesy of some generous members here (@Vale!, @Ric, @mikeyw64 and the tank is looking lush!

The snails though: I should have looked at the size before buying, they’re tiny .

[Ric]

Remember that we like pics on this forum

[Andys temperate tank]

Remember that we like pics on this forum

I'm surprised you didn't put a note in the box.

[Ric]

Remember that we like pics on this forum

I'm surprised you didn't put a note in the box.

I did think about it! Then decided to put in a reminder on the forum instead.