3 Fish Died After 50% Water Change

[ryno]

I did a 50% water change on my 55 gallon aquarium, my bala shark, tiger barb and my pictus catfish died. The catfish just stated zipping all around the aquarium, taking short stops and looked as if it was gasping for air. The tiger barb just went sideways on a rock and the bala shark floated upside down at the top. I have 2 red belly pacu in the aquarium still along with 2 pleco. The 2 pleco are acting as if nothing is wrong but the pacu are justsitting at the top not really moving. I also did a 50% water change on my 20 gallon aquarium and all my mollies just sat on the bottom for like 15 minutes, but are now swimming around again. My 20 gallon has lots of plants and driftwood, does that have anything to do with helping absorb amonia from the tap water? Also what could have gone wrong with my 55 gallon?

 

[200sx]

what did you add to water to take out the chlorine and stuff

 

[TanksRUs]

The fish would be afraid of such a huge amount of water leaving. It could have been stress. Do what I do and just do 10% changes weekly.

 

[michaelh]

Did you treat you water before adding it? (for chlorine)

 

[StandbySetting]

Chlorine poisoning and stress are unlikely factors, ring up your water board and asked them if they've flushed any pipes recently, did you temperature match the water at all?

You might want to do something about your stocking also as it's not ideal.

 

[This Old Spouse]

You might want to check your pH on both your tap water and tank water. Mine is off by quite a bit (tap is 7.0 and tank is 5.5). Any large fluctuation could be detrimental.

And doing 10% water changes weekly is just not enough. I'll be doing about 20% every other day.

 

[fluttermoth]

The fish would be afraid of such a huge amount of water leaving. It could have been stress. Do what I do and just do 10% changes weekly.

I'm sorry, as I hate to disagree with other members, but that is just utter rubbish not true.

All my (6) tanks get 50, 60 even 80% changes on a weekly basis, and it's very, very, very rare for me to lose a fish.

OP; how often do you normally do a water change and how much? Did you use a dechlorinator? Did you clean the filters at all, and if so how?

 

[ryno]

what did you add to water to take out the chlorine and stuff

i used api ammo lock

You might want to check your pH on both your tap water and tank water. Mine is off by quite a bit (tap is 7.0 and tank is 5.5). Any large fluctuation could be detrimental.

And doing 10% water changes weekly is just not enough. I'll be doing about 20% every other day.

the ph lvl is at 7.2 in my aquarium and 6 on the tap

 

[ryno]

The fish would be afraid of such a huge amount of water leaving. It could have been stress. Do what I do and just do 10% changes weekly.

I'm sorry, as I hate to disagree with other members, but that is just utter rubbish not true.

All my (6) tanks get 50, 60 even 80% changes on a weekly basis, and it's very, very, very rare for me to lose a fish.

OP; how often do you normally do a water change and how much? Did you use a dechlorinator? Did you clean the filters at all, and if so how?

I do water changes once a month on my 20 gallon and every other week on my 55 gallon, each time I do 40-50% water changes. I didnt clean the filters only cause I am going to get new filters tomorrow. I've had the 20 gallon aquarium almost 2 years and never had a problem and I've had the 55 gallon for about a year now and this is the first problem with fish dying on a water change.

 

[FishyWishie]

I'm sorry, as I hate to disagree with other members, but that is just utter rubbish not true.

All my (6) tanks get 50, 60 even 80% changes on a weekly basis, and it's very, very, very rare for me to lose a fish.

I'd have to agree my heavily stocked 371L tank gets about 60% weekly and like fluttermoth says I couldn't tell you the last time I lost a fish.

 

[200sx]

what are the rest of the water stats looking like? what test kit are you using

 

[ryno]

i only checked ph cause its the only test kit i have

 

[fluttermoth]

Do make sure you move the filter media (sponges/ceramic noodles/whatever) into your new filter, if you're getting new, as you'll 'un-cycle' your tank if you don't.

We always have to consider the possiblity of 'something' untoward that we can't/don't test for getting into out water supply; I live in Cornwall, very near Camelford, subject of a huge disaster where aluminium sulphate, meant for purification purposes, was accidentaly dumped into the drinking water.

I know it sounds counter-intuitive, but often the best thing to do in cases like this is another, even bigger water change, to flush out any undesirable substances that may have 'sneaked' in.

Make sure you temperature match and dechlorinate thoroughly in this sort of case; you want to eliminate all possible harmful substances, in however small amounts, getting into your tank and making things worse.

I agree with SBS that your stocking could really do with more consideration and sorting out too.

 

[ryno]

Do make sure you move the filter media (sponges/ceramic noodles/whatever) into your new filter, if you're getting new, as you'll 'un-cycle' your tank if you don't.

We always have to consider the possiblity of 'something' untoward that we can't/don't test for getting into out water supply; I live in Cornwall, very near Camelford, subject of a huge disaster where aluminium sulphate, meant for purification purposes, was accidentaly dumped into the drinking water.

I know it sounds counter-intuitive, but often the best thing to do in cases like this is another, even bigger water change, to flush out any undesirable substances that may have 'sneaked' in.

Make sure you temperature match and dechlorinate thoroughly in this sort of case; you want to eliminate all possible harmful substances, in however small amounts, getting into your tank and making things worse.

I agree with SBS that your stocking could really do with more consideration and sorting out too.

i had more tiger barbs but my pacu ate 5 of the 6 and had another bala shark that died out of the blue one day

 

[TanksRUs]

My fish died from a water change so please don't argue.