2 Fish Are Very Unhappy

[basin]

I noticed a lot of algae was forming. I usually change 1/3 the water every 2 weeks when I clean the gravel etc. Anyways, today I cleaned the filter and the fake stuff in the tank. Now 2 of the fish are not doing well. One was just hovering at the top. Now he and the other are just laying on the bottom. One is a black and one is a white. i think that they are Molly's. They are in a tank with 4 tetras and 3 platties. Everyone was fine before the clean!

 

[tttnjfttt]

When you changed the water, did you use dechlorinator? Did you do any filter maintence?

Check your ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH levels

 

[FBF]

how did you clean the filter its quite likely this may be the problem although that is very sudden

 

[rEvolution27]

how did you clean the filter its quite likely this may be the problem although that is very sudden

Are you referring to a mini cycle? That's not the only way fish can get sick from cleaning... did any chemicals get incontact with the filter media while cleaning? Did you use a bucket that had prevously had detergent?

also they could just be sick... are there any external signs of disease?

 

[basin]

Thanks everyone. One of the fishies came back and is fine this morning, while the other was belly up. When I cleaned the filter and the fake things inside I used hot water and some aquarium salt, rinsed well and put everyting back in. All I can think is that removing the algae and 1/3 of the water was too much of a shock. I always use the same bucket for water changes and cleaning. I haven't used it for anything else except for the fish, so no detegent woud have gotten in to the tank. The PH was a bit high and and everything else seemed fine.. Poor little fish.

 

[IceH2O]

ALWAYS rinse your filter media in old tank water. If you used hotwater to rinse your media you killed off a bunch of bacteria and caused a mini cycle.

I'm not sure what the concenus is on this board but 1/3 every other week isn't much. I change at least that amount every week. The more fresh water you can give them the better.

What are your water parameters? Fine doesn't work give actual readings. Don't use strips as they are inaccurate but better than nothing.