Ack--Torn Fin!

[sillysall]

Well, we did Picasso's second water change tonight. The water is still hard and very alkaline, but the ph is coming down slowly. His fins still are not doing well. It has not gotten much worse, but I also don't see any improvement. We put a bit more aquarium salt in and am adding beneficial bacteria. The guy at the fish store talked us into getting some Betafix, but when I read the directions it said not to do a water change until you've used the product for 7 days straight and I wasn't sure if that would be good for Picasso or not, so we have not used the Betafix yet. Should I go to that or just keep with the water changes?

 

[theshadowinc]

Well, we did Picasso's second water change tonight. The water is still hard and very alkaline, but the ph is coming down slowly. His fins still are not doing well. It has not gotten much worse, but I also don't see any improvement. We put a bit more aquarium salt in and am adding beneficial bacteria. The guy at the fish store talked us into getting some Betafix, but when I read the directions it said not to do a water change until you've used the product for 7 days straight and I wasn't sure if that would be good for Picasso or not, so we have not used the Betafix yet. Should I go to that or just keep with the water changes?

Shouldn't be adding any benaficial bacteria in. Have you tested your water?? What are your readings in PPM for Ammonia and Nitrites and nitrates? What do you mean beneficial bacteria??
As suggested above they state 50% water change daily, I am assuming right now you do not have this tank cycled and maybe lost on what to do, the first step is to test your tap water and see what its like.... Hoping no ammonia and nitrites in it will make life a little easier. Up the percentage of water change if you havn't cycled this tank, you are now in a fish in cycle I am assuming 75%-80% water changes every day and testing of your water will have to be everyday as well.

Do you have conditioner?? This is for removing the chlorine out of the water when you perform the waterchange
I wouldn't go adding meds in just yet, daily water changes should help this, if not say in 3 days time or so then you will have to start using the bettafix < not sure on that brand I use melafix to help fins heal, at half the dosage or less and alot of water changes, and use actual meds for stuff like finrot, ick etc...

Things you need to let us know
Your Water conditions in PPM
Ammonia
Nitrites
Nitrates
PH
Do you use Chlrone removal stuff and what is it
have you cycled this tank?

 

[loraxchick]

if the waterchanges have shown no improvement, and it is getting worse. get an antibacterial medicine for finrot. unlikely ammonia issue if youve been doing waterchanges.
cheers

 

[sillysall]

His tail actually looks like it improved today. I thought I was just imagining it at first but my husband confirmed it. We will continue with the water testing, changing, and adding of salt and see is he continues to improve....

 

[loraxchick]

thats great news. new growth appears to be clearish margins on the fins. it will color up over time.
best of luck with him.
cheers