Help, Fish Dying Fast

[veeja111]

I have a 40 gal tank, with guppies and platties, had a problem a few months ago with ammonia lots of water changes, new filter, ammonia and nitrates perfect for month now. but three days ago started losing 3 to 4 fish a day guppies float around vertically then die platties lay on bottom and die, still changing 1/3 of water weekly using prime as water conditioner no ick so what the heck is wrong ? thankyou carol

 

[Platy lover]

I have the same problem. It has got so bad that I have a lone betta in a 29 gallon tank

 

[Dieses Madchen]

Sometimes during a fish-in cycle, the fish quire damages from the toxins in the water. While it didn't seem to affect them at the time, it could have been that which caused them to die. It happened to me. The fish that I did a fish-in cycle with died long before their time. I m sorry for your loss.

 

[veeja111]

Thankyou, but new babies are dying too, so don't know if that is the problem, would it cause harm to unborn fry also ? thankyou carol

 

[sadguppy]

Are you able to fill on the form? I know it seems like a pain but it does really help. Have you put any new objects in the tank which may not be fishsafe?

 

[veeja111]

sorry do not know what fill on the form means, no new objects. did a remove all rocks cleaning today, found about 6 fish bodies. thinking maybe my test kit is bad, gonna take water to fish store tomorrow.
40 gal tank now 5 female guppies
approx 36 female platties.
grandaughter visited around march and moved about 30 females into this tank from male tank, discovered my filter was missinf sponges for bio buildup. had ammonia spike lost bunch of fish, did major water changes, bought new filter. been a couple of months all seemed well, test kit said 0 ammonia, this week fish started dying again. thought I was removing them right away, continued doing 1/4 water change weekly, just switched to bi weekly
guppies, platties 1 bristlenose Pleco, don't wanna lose him, should I move him to my 55 gal tank ? regular large pleco in there.
thankyou carol

 

[JohnDyer]

36 platys in a 40 gallon tank is way overstocked. When you got the new filter, did you completely re-cycle it? It may be you are getting ammonia spikes as your filter tries to catch up with the stock. Maybe there are some chemicals in the tank? Air freshener or cleaning solution or the like?

The form is pinned in the Emergency Section.

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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:

Digital photo (include if possible):

 

[veeja111]

Took water to lps today, think they said gh is problem, how do I correct this ? Ty Carol

 

[FishFanatic04]

Well. 30 Platy females and 5 guppys in a 40g is ENTIRELY overstocked. Unless they are fry and you are planning to rehome them once the are a few months old. Then you said there is a bristlenose pleco in there.

Your problem may be starting with your fish. While enough bacteria may eventually build to handle the HUGE bioload, your fish risk stunted growth and illness from stress if you plan to keep them all. If they are adults that is already your problem.