Me again

Yesterday I lost a guppy and today the other one is on its way out , also my cardinal tetra appear to have similar symptoms although they seem quite happy at the moment.

The fish are losing their colour, turning completely grey and then dying.

I have done daily water changes of 25%

my stats 10 mins ago are:

Amonia 0
NitrAte <25
NitrIte 0
GH 16
KH 15
PH 7.5/8
Temp 79

Can anyone help me work out whats happening please? The water stats appear to be fine, the fish appear to feed ok (feeding once a day with flake) so now I am at a loss as to where to go next.

I have an internal filter which moves the water on the surface, a bubble thing which slowly relases bubbles, and an airstone. Not sure of any of that is relevant?

This post has been edited by katykaye: Jan 7 2008, 12:52 AM

Your fish are showing definite signs of stress. Usually, that is due to bad water parameters. Your stats look fine but are you using liquid or strip tests. Strips are notoriously inaccurate. Guppys are fine at almost any pH but tetas generally prefer something in the mid to upper 6s. Having said that I doubt the pH is the problem since most fish can easily adapt to any stable pH.

How long has the tank been set up? Are you using any chemicals other than dechlorinator? Are you adding CO2 for plant (the bubble thing that slowly releases bubbles)?

I am using strips - will go to lfs for different tomorrow. My tetras have been in the tank since november with no problems. The tank has been set up for almost 2 months and the fish were added after a fishless cycle. The ph has always been the same.

No I am not using chemicals and the tank is not in a room where any sprays etc are used. I do have live plants which seem to be doing well but the "bubble thingy" was purely because I liked it when I used ot have goldfish.

Do you think I should do daily water changes? or bigger ones? or both? And if the readings are incorrect and there is ammonia/nitrite present, how do I resolve it quickly?

sorry for all the questions but thanks for your help

This post has been edited by katykaye: Jan 7 2008, 01:47 AM

The 25% WCs should be fine. Usually once a week is plenty unless you have issues with ammonia or nitrite that you need to lower. I doubt your problem is related to bad water but getting a liquid master kit won't hurt. In the long run, they are actually much cheaper per test than strips anyway. Are the fish shoing any signs of disease other than losing color (bloating, white spots, etc.)? I'm not very schooled in the different diseases and their symptoms (been fortunate to have had my tanks remain disease-free). Hopefully, someone else can shed some light on the subject.

If your pH has been swinging that may be way because guppys are quite sensitive to changes in the water.

Get a tablet tester pack. I have a pack called easytester. Tests everything. Includes manual on how to change parameters and what is exceptable for different types of fish(not sure if this in all packs)

aquarium pharmaceuticals fresh water master test kit it a liquid lab test kit for about £20in the uk in USA i think there about $29 this is a good kit and easy to use

Went to LFS this morning and bought a liquid testing Kit (£18.99 for anyone intersted) and some medication for the fish. LFS seemed to think they have some sort of internal virus/bacteria so am treatingfor that since I have no other options at this point.

using the liquid tests my water stats are:

PH 7.8
Amonia 0
NitAte 20
Nitrite 0

so everything looks ok in the water.

fingers crossed and thanks for all you help

is any one smoking or using air fresheners or carpet freshers or spray polish in the same room as your fish