Fluttering Platys

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spider2013

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Hi:  We have had a 40 gallon fresh water tank for 6 years that has  evidently been balanced well. 
 
Our two Silver Dollars were in a community tank with 4 platys, 2 ghost fish, and 5 "stripped fish" that we have also had for 2-4 years.  The platys started giving birth at a high rate.  We changed 50% of the water every two weeks or so and it seemed that having a tank was "a snap". 
 
About 5 weeks ago the Silver Dollars died, perhaps of old age?
 
Then hubris struck. Three months ago our 150/200 Penn Plax Cascade Filter died on us and we replaced it with a 20-40  AquaTech.  The platys started to reproduce even more, and we tried to find a new home for some of them but otherwise everyone seemed content and got along well.
 
Three days ago, the platys started weird behaviors, scurrying around the tank as if something was after them  And their tails were fluttering as if they had a neurological problem.  The Silver Dollars got ick, almost overnight.  We put them in a small hospital tank with no filtration, but aerated heavily.  We put a small amount of Jungle Ick Clear into the hospital tank.  One of the two of Silver Dollars is still alive and looking a lot better in the hospital tank.
 
 
In the main tank we have had multiple 50% water changes and we've added a small amount of Top Fin "Conditioning Salt", far less than directions.  [Can we use regular sea salt?].  We have increased the aeration considerably. Initially when we increased the aeration, the playts took themselves off the ground and congregated around the major source of the bubbles at the top. 
 
Temperature is at 82F.  Test strips, before the multiple changes, claim all parameters within spec.
 
The ghost and stripped fish are still doing fine in the main tank.  However, only one adult platy is swimming, and the other adults, and small fry are laying on the bottom, which is seems better than the flutter they were undergoing.  No water changes have been done today.
 
We expect delivery of another 150/200Cascade tomorrow.
 
Any ideas as to what is happening, and what steps we should take from here on, would be appreciated.
 
Thanks for your time.
 
well first of what is "ghost fish" black ghost knife?, if so its unsuitable for a tank that size.even though you say the parameters are on spec can you post them anyway?
 
Yes, more specific numbers would be nice, although strips are highly inaccurate, you may want to pick up a liquid test kit. When you got the new filter, did you transfer your media over?
 

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