Archivarium 2004

[jdennysgirl]

I am having a problem with my 44 gal. tank. It has been set up for 2 years with the Fluval 304. Have never had any problems. A short time ago my nitrites were on the high side. The fish were breathing really hard. I did several water changes that didn't seem to help right away. I bought some sort of nitrate removal "pebbles. That is what they look like. I was told to take out one of the carbon media in the filter and replace it with these "pebbles". Gradually the nitrates were back where they should be. Now comes the problem, after a couple of days, my fish started to breath hard again. Checked water, everything fine. They were at the top acting like they wanted air. I have a freshwater aquarium also so I just took the air hose from it and placed it in the saltwater tank. Went to bed and next day fish were breathing normally again. Took out the air tube and a couple of days later, same thing, fish breathing hard. Did this about 3 or 4 times. Same thing each time. Any ideas on what could be wrong? The Fluval is blowing water into the tank. Could me taking the carbon media out and putting the Nitrite neutralizer in make this happen. I have 7 fish, a few hermits, 3 turbo snails, a starfish and a sea urchin in the tank. I can't understand why I have had no trouble for 2 years and now I can't figure out why I don't seem to be getting enough air in the tank. Please help. Thanks ahead of time

[kjh90]

Could you specifiy what the "7 fish" are? That might help to know what they are. Could you also post all the water parametes of the water? Ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH.