Dirty Type Marks On My Fishes Lips! Help!

[JakTheFlipper]

Yes do a water change the stats are high, increase aeration as well.Good luck.

http/www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/cycling.htm

http/www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/cycling2.htm

thanks for that advice. could you tell me how much water to replace in a 4ft tank? and what does 'increase aeration' mean? i 'm sorry if i sound thick, but i am a novice at this!
thanks in advance
jackie

 

[WILDER]

Is it possible to turn filter up do you have setting on it, you can buy pumps and attach airstone for extra aeration, i would preform a 30% water change.

 

[annka5]

"increase aeration" just means to increase the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water. As this happens where the water meets the air, increasing surface area, eg by using something which causes ripples on the surface, will cause more oxygen to dissolve into the water. So, a higher filter flow rate, or using an air-pump will help.
Lots of water changes will help as this will cause the ammonia, nitrite and nitrate to be diluted in the clean water.
If your fish spend a bit of time "mouth wrestling" (if they do, you'll know what that is!!!) then this might explain the marks starting around their lips - basically they'd be bruises. If this was the case, you should find they will settle to some extent as a pecking order is established; however parrots are aggressive enough that there will always be some fighting, particularly in a tank of the size you have.
However, I do think it's most likely to be due to the toxic water they're in.

 

[JakTheFlipper]

"increase aeration" just means to increase the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water. As this happens where the water meets the air, increasing surface area, eg by using something which causes ripples on the surface, will cause more oxygen to dissolve into the water. So, a higher filter flow rate, or using an air-pump will help.
Lots of water changes will help as this will cause the ammonia, nitrite and nitrate to be diluted in the clean water.
If your fish spend a bit of time "mouth wrestling" (if they do, you'll know what that is!!!) then this might explain the marks starting around their lips - basically they'd be bruises. If this was the case, you should find they will settle to some extent as a pecking order is established; however parrots are aggressive enough that there will always be some fighting, particularly in a tank of the size you have.
However, I do think it's most likely to be due to the toxic water they're in.

Thanks for all of the advice everyone. I have carried out a 30% water change this evening and added some more tap water conditioner, aswel as increasing the aeration. I found that the pump was actually on the slowest setting since being set up (prob knocked whilst moving set-up) so this probably wont be helped. I'm told that the pump i have is top spec and i also have 2 airstones in there too, so my fingers are crossed.
My next questions are,
1. how long do i leave it between water changes?
2. When should i repeat the tests after a water change?

Mnay thanks
jak

 

[WILDER]

Leave your tank a couple of hours before you do tests as they will be false before that, depends on the test results and the fish for water changes, make sure they are not stressed, if you think stats are way to high preform a water change, try not to do to many as it just delays things, good luck.

 

[JakTheFlipper]

Leave your tank a couple of hours before you do tests as they will be false before that, depends on the test results and the fish for water changes, make sure they are not stressed, if you think stats are way to high preform a water change, try not to do to many as it just delays things, good luck.

Thankyou, your advice has been very helpful. I will leave the test until tomorrow night to give the water time to adjust and go from there. i'll post and let you know how i get on.

 

[love cichlids]

When I first got a goldfish and then another I did not know nothing about cycling until finding this forum. You have to change 30%, if not more, of the water EVERY day to keep down the ammonia and nitrites. That is what I was told and did not have any deaths, thankfully. I did this for 2 months. I did not have any water tests but after the couple of months I did my water changes once a week. Good Luck hope everything is ok.

 

[JakTheFlipper]

well, thanks for everybodys advice!!!
The dirty marks have now disappeared!
On closer inspection of my tank, i realised i had accidentally knocked the clear pipe from under the pump (undergravel filter) and it had been lying at the bottom of my tank for 2 days before i posted this up! I didnt set up the tank, so i wasn't aware there was even a clear tube there!!

So, the pump wasn't doing its job which resulted in my water turning slightly toxic thus giving my poor fish the dirty marks! It is now up and running and working perfectly and my fish are much happier in a clean tank!!