Bad Problem With My Tank. Help

[WILDER]

I would do a gravel vac as if there hasn't been much 02 flowing there will be dormant areas in the gravel where the bacteria multiplys.

You don't have any dead snails in the tank do you, as they can release toxins.

 

[DaveW]

I clean with the water change earlier. And I don't have any snails.

 

[WILDER]

I would get the fish out of there something is wrong, have you been using any chemicals near the tank, plus they can gasp if you don't have enoguh 02 in the tank.

 

[DaveW]

should I use my filter?
I don't have a spare!

 

[WILDER]

Any signs of parasites, are the gills red and inflamed.

I wouldn't as they might be something harmful in the filter.

 

[tttnjfttt]

What type of filter do you have? (i responded to this already, but i think it got missed). You do want to tyry to protect the bacterial source in your tank to avoid having to re-cycle the tank. If you have an external power filter, rinse off the media in some dechlorinated tap water, then run it while stripping down the tank.

 

[WILDER]

I would add some black carbon to your filter.

 

[DaveW]

It's an external one. I don't plan to strip down until tomorrow.
If I put a carbon filter in it and empty out the old water, would that be ok. I'm trying to save some bacterial in the filter.

 

[tttnjfttt]

well, when you strip the tank down, keep the filter media wet. You can put the carbon in tonight, as that will help remove any toxic chemicals. If you are removing all the water, i would rinse out the tank and rinse off everything.

 

[WILDER]

Are all the fish gasping or just a few, gasping can be due to poor water quality but that not the case with yours, lack of 02, but you have done a water change, all there left is poisons, bacteria infections or parasites.

 

[DaveW]

I have got a plastic tub with new water, heater and plastic plants ready.
If I put the filter with the carbon into the clean tub and transfer the fish, then clean the tank tomorrow.
Does this sound like a good plan?

PS: the fish LOOK totaly clean.

 

[tttnjfttt]

That sounds good, but i am still concerned at what is the original cause of these problems. I have been talking with another member about this post, and we agree that it is important to figure out the cause of this. I am going to ask you a series of questions, and please answer all of them as honestly as you can.

First of all, why were you medicating the tank, what medicine did you use, and how much medicine did you add, and how big is your tank?


Gasping at the surface can be caused by several different things, including poor water quality (how recent were the test results you posted?) Another possible cause is contamination from something getting in the tank. Check with EVERYONE in your house for this possiblity. The last possiblity is from some illness affecting the gills. What color are the gills? Do they appear inflamed and red? Are they a darkish or brown color? Do the fish seem to be flashing or scratching on the tank?

Also, what do you mean by the fish look "clean"? I've never heard anyone describe their fish this way.

EDIT: how often do you clean your tank? Do you use fertalizers with your plants?

 

[DaveW]

Right, the first thing is that the fish are in the tub with the filter going.

I added tetra general tonic 3 weeks ago because my ram had a bit of fin rot. It seamed to work until last week when I noticed a bit came back. So I brought the Interpet fin rot & fungus treatment. And I use the right dose for my tank, which is 33 gallons US. I notice the glass get a bit .... for the want of a better word cloudy. I put it down to algae as I am using the EI routine. The fish seamed to be fine yesterday, but when I got home today the first thing I notice was the dead shrimp. I looked closer and saw the rams at the surface gasping, one by one all the rest of the fish. Even the shrimp where on the filter tubes by the surface. the rest you know.

I vac each week with a 50% water change. Never miss it as I enjoy my tank so much. The fertiliser is all measured out correctly.

The test results are from about 10 minutes from noticing the tank.

There is only my girlfriend and I in the house, so I'm 99% sure that nothing has got into the tank.

As for the fish, what I mean by clean is that there is no visual marks, infections or parasites.

I DO agree that it is important to find out what caused it, but I have not got a clue!

I'm feel very down at the moment, the tank looks like a bomb has hit it. This is how it looked a couple of days ago.

 

[Bloo]

wow Dave - somehow missed your thread in the planted tank section - but it's awesome ! I really do hope things get back on track again

 

[DaveW]

The fishes are doing fine in they temporary home and I'm just about ready to strip the tank down.

Still no idea what happened, which is upsetting cause I don't what to see that ever again!

Oh well, a days work is ahead of me, so I best get on with it.

Thank you for all your help, I do very much appreciate it!