[APD] Estimative Index

["Reggie Bustinza" <numbr_9 at hotmail_com>]

This may be a stupid question, but I have to ask anyways.

I have a 29 gallon tank, on which I use the Estimative Index (Barr Method) 
for my nutrient dosing.  The problem is this:  ever since I've started using 
the EI, I have not been able to keep dwarf cichlids (apistos specifically) 
alive for very long.  I have tried everything I can think of -- the water 
parameters should be ideal.  pH 6.7, very soft water, heavily planted ....  
I've tried drip-acclimating them, floating bags, acclimating with the 
lighting off; everything I can think of.

Could the higher nitrate levels sustained by me using the EI be stressing 
the fish out?  I had one pair that only lasted 2 days, and another single 
male that only lasted a week.  I feed live foods (microworms and viniger 
eels) and my catfish and shrimp are all fine; my aspidoras and cherry shrimp 
both breed with consistency.  Could I have gotten some bad apistos?  I know 
the LFS keeps them in local tap water (very very very hard, pH 8.2+) and 
maybe going from soft water to hard water back to soft water was what did 
them in.  I want to get this worked out, because I am very fond of apistos 
and rams, and would like to get some of either kind.

Does anybody have any suggestions?

Thanks,
Reggie



www.reggiesaquaria.com


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