Fish Gasping

[Rynofasho]

Hello all,

In the midst of a fish in cycle and just changed about 35 - 40% of the tank water as my nitrites were over 2.0ppm. I was sure to add everything to the new water that I put in there (well just Seachem Prime and a bit of the stability), however initially after getting all the new water in, all the fish appeared to be gasping and swimming near the top. Now really it is just one fish, however he is gasping pretty badly. It isnt like there is an oxygen problem in the tank (4 danios, 36 gallons, many water changes recently). What scares me the most is my pH out of the tap is ridiculously high (like 8.5ish) and it measured around 7.6 when I just measured prior to the change. I tried to measure after and it pegged the high pH test --- well actually it was like a pink color and the chart goes through oranges and shades of purple so I really have no idea what it told me.

When I put the new water in, I can't ever get a siphon started from the bucket to the tank so I just pour it all in slowly. Could the crashing water freak them out?

Just looking for some ideas about how I can do things differently and what to be concerned with and if you ever see your fish act a bit odd after a change. Thanks.

 

[Vidster]

Sounds to me like you need a large water change asap (read below first). You didn't mention your ammonia and nitrate levels in your post. The peeps on here will need all readings to be of any use tbh.

Changing PH levels quickly is going to place a massive amount of stress on your fish. If you are pouring water with a PH of 8.5 in to a tank with a PH of 7.6 your fish will be in shock. You need to find out what it is thats lowering your PH from 8.5 (which is very high), to 7.6.

 

[Rynofasho]

I have been doing water changes pretty frequently though.

Prior to changing the water, my stats were as follows:

pH 7.6ish
Ammonia 0.0
Nitrites 2.0, maybe higher
Nitrates 5-10ppm

The pH was initially low because before I ever got the fish and did much reading, I put pH 7.0 in there to get the pH down. I've done a 20% change each of the last three days, so the pH has been creeping up and was 7.6. Today, since the nitrites were so high, I changed probably 40% of the water. Gravel vac'd, and then to get the water back in, unfortunately I have to pour it out of the bucket straight in there because I can never get the siphon to start back up when I'm putting the water back in. Can pouring the water in (since it is kinda crashing down) scare / stress them?

I just tested everything again, which is about 4 hours post water change

pH I really have no idea --- I have the API master kit and was using the high range pH and it came out pink. Here is a link to the chart -- the more I look, the more I think that perhaps it is maybe between 8.0 and 8.2? Hard to say really, because it was BRIGHT pink and the chart has no pink. Moving along. . .

pH guess is above
Ammonia 0 - 0.25ppm
Nitrites 0.5 - 1.0ppm
Nitrates 5-10ppm

I matched the water temps fine and added appropriate conditioners.

I'm doing a fish in cycle, and honestly these are the best levels I've had in a few days so I don't know why this would be a problem.

Anyhow, all the fish are fairly normal now. One or two of them are still opening and closing their mouths, however they are swimming around like normal. I will certainly keep an eye on them though. In thinking back, I can't really remember if they opened and closed their mouths like this previously. I hate being a newbie!

 

[Vidster]

pH I really have no idea --- I have the API master kit and was using the high range pH and it came out pink. Here is a link to the chart -- the more I look, the more I think that perhaps it is maybe between 8.0 and 8.2? Hard to say really, because it was BRIGHT pink and the chart has no pink. Moving along. . .

The most important thing with PH is to keep it steady. Any rapid change in PH is probaby going to finish off your fish. If you are adding something to bring your PH down to 7.0 your PH is going to be moving all over the place and your fish will be under severe stress.

I would (bare in mind i am no expert), stop adding any chemical that reduces PH and let your tank find it's own balance. Rapid changes in PH levels are a big no-no.

How often are you doing water changes?. With a fish-in-cycle i tend to do a 15-20% change every other day. Some people do this every day.

 

[Rynofasho]

I just added stuff once and haven't ever again. I have been doing 20% changes. Did them three days in a row. Skipped one day and did 40% today. 3 of the 4 are doing well now, however one is just hanging out at the bottom. He's still moving in place but seems suspect.

 

[the biffster]

hi what fish do you have in the
tank and what size tank is
i am worried about how high
your nitrite are they need
to be reduced could you
do a test on your tap water
please make sure you clean
the test tube out properly
before you do the test could
you also do a tank reading
using a washed clean test tube
you'll be amazed how far out
a reading can be with a dirty
test tube

 

[anon02]

A tip for adding fresh water to a tank is to get a jug and pour the water down the glass

Your ammo and nitrite readings are still way too high. I know it`s a drag but you have to do enough water changes to get the toxins in your tank to a reasonable level, i.e. zero and zero

Like Biff suggests, I would repeat the pH tests in both ranges with clean test tubes

 

[Rynofasho]

hi what fish do you have in the
tank and what size tank is
i am worried about how high
your nitrite are they need
to be reduced could you
do a test on your tap water
please make sure you clean
the test tube out properly
before you do the test could
you also do a tank reading
using a washed clean test tube
you'll be amazed how far out
a reading can be with a dirty
test tube

4 Zebra Danios, 36 gallon tank. Do you recommend cleaning the test tubes with soap? I just rinse them out really good.

Nitrites from the tap are 0, I've tested. pH from the tap I've seen at its lowest, 8.2ish and 8.5 at the highest.

A tip for adding fresh water to a tank is to get a jug and pour the water down the glass

Your ammo and nitrite readings are still way too high. I know it`s a drag but you have to do enough water changes to get the toxins in your tank to a reasonable level, i.e. zero and zero

Like Biff suggests, I would repeat the pH tests in both ranges with clean test tubes

How can the tank ever cycle if I'm removing all the ammonia and nitrite that are required for it to cycle? I don't mind the water changes, it's pretty darn easy, I just feel like the actual process of changing the water might have stressed the fish as the were COMPLETELY fine prior to the change and all screwy immediately afterwards.

I'll rerun the tests, however I know the pH is really high from the tap.

 

[fluttermoth]

Just to put your mind at rest, Rynofasho, your filter will cycle with an amount of ammonia that's too small to register on a test. It will just take longer than it would with higher concentration.

 

[the biffster]

no sorry don't use soap
just a good rinse
out with warm water
and a dry with kitchen
roll inside and out
just like i did before my
tests this morning

 

[Rynofasho]

Alright --- I'm at work now but I'll again test at home tonite and see what is up.

How best do you all get water back into the tank? I have a 5 gallon bucket and a gravel vac, but I have a hellacious time getting the siphon going back in there. The tank is on my kitchen counter --- I think Im going to have to put a dang step stool on the counter and just stand up there to get it going.

I honestly think that me pouring water back in there really spooked them. I usually don't change out 40%, so when I started pouring, the water obviously has a lot further to fall and really came crashing down. With the 20% changes, it doesn't crash much. I say this because they were completely fine, even with high nitrItes, prior to the change and the behavioural changes started IMMEDIATELY upon refilling the tank.

Oh well --- I suppose I'll just be more mindful of that and hope for the best.

 

[Aqua Tom]

If you want to syphone the water back to the tank then the bucket need to be above the water level in the tank. Some people put a plank over the tank & put the bucket on that, I wouldnt do this as it may break the tank.
How about getting a stepladder next to the tank & put the bucket on the top shelf? Simple & effective, you will probably need to get a longer tube but these are readly available from hardware stores.

 

[Rynofasho]

If you want to syphone the water back to the tank then the bucket need to be above the water level in the tank. Some people put a plank over the tank & put the bucket on that, I wouldnt do this as it may break the tank.
How about getting a stepladder next to the tank & put the bucket on the top shelf? Simple & effective, you will probably need to get a longer tube but these are readly available from hardware stores.

I think that is what I'm going to have to do. I don't foresee my wife being thrilled about setting a stepladder up on the kitchen counter lol but hey, she was the one who wanted to get fish, so she only has herself to blame!!!

Meanwhile, now I'm the one really interested in the fish and she just looks at them and talks to them while she cooks!