Bacterial Infection Threatening Tank?

[Aleydis]

Hi everyone- my name's Aleydis and I'm a very young n00b fishkeeper.

My already overstocked tank has been suffering from serious problems for a while now. A few days earlier ammonia was at 2.0, but recently it dropped to around 0.5, but whatever I do (I've been doing heavy water changes and some gravel vaccing every day), I can't get it any lower. There is no ammonia in my tap water. I've tested- 0 PPM.

My fish are dropping left and right of various illnesses- I've lost a fish to dropsy, and two guppies are suffering from mouth rot... I'm not in a predicament to buy medication right now, but if it comes down to it, I will, since other members of this forum has suggested immediate medication.

I lost a fish today as well- His name is Felix, and his tail was torn, and a piece of meat was missing from his side when I found him. Many fish died of unexplained causes, many members tell me it is of ammonia poisoning...

Are there any NATURAL remedies I can use to cure or relieve my predicament? Or is it absolutely necessary right now for meds?

Please feel free to visit my tank diary for in depth information at: http/www.fishforums.net/content/New-to-t...lon-Tank-Diary/

 

[Davo86]

Hi Aleydis, that is a lot of reading there on your other post and i can't make out whats in the tank atm etc,
could you fill out the following form, which will make it much easier for us to give relevant, accurate advise


Tank size:
pH:
ammonia:
nitrite:
nitrate:
kH:
gH:
tank temp:

Fish Symptoms (include full description including lesion, color, location, fish behavior):

Volume and Frequency of water changes:

Chemical Additives or Media in your tank:

Tank inhabitants:

Recent additions to your tank (living or decoration):

Exposure to chemicals:

 

[Colin_T]

Water quality is the biggest killer of fish. Ammonia does a pretty good job and knocking them about and guppies aren't really very tough to start with. You can try doing 50% daily water changes and gravel cleans. This should help keep the ammonia levels low while the filters develop the good bacteria they need.

Mouth fungus (Columnaris) is pretty nasty stuff and should be treated as soon as it is spotted. if not it can kill the fish within days. You should use a specific medication for Columnaris but it will probably set the filter development back a bit. You can try adding salt to the tank if there are no catfish or discus/angelfish in it. Use 1 heaped tablespoon of salt per 20litres of tank water.

To work out the volume of water in the tank
measure Length x Width x Height in cm
divide by 1000
equals volume in litres

When measuring the height, measure from the top of the gravel to the top of the water level. If you have big rocks or driftwood in the tank, remove them before measuring the height.

Remove carbon from the filter before treating otherwise it will absorb the medication out of the water.