Environmental
🟡 Moderate
Old Tank Syndrome
🦠 Chronic nitrate accumulation and pH crash
📋 Overview
A tank without water changes for months accumulates nitrate to 100+ ppm and consumes buffering minerals, causing gradual pH drop. Fish adapt slowly. When the aquarist finally does a big water change, the sudden pH swing shocks fish. Emergency water changes should be gradual (25% every few days).
📊 Key Facts
Causative Agent
Chronic nitrate accumulation and pH crash
Primary Host
Neglected freshwater tanks
Vaccine
✗ None / Experimental
🛡️ Prevention
ℹ️ Prevention is the most effective strategy for managing this disease in aquaculture and aquarium settings.
Regular partial water changes prevent OTS entirely.