Hi all
I am new to this forum but I have a problem with my tropical fish. I have a 35 gallon tank. I have got an undergravel filter, an external fluval 305 and an air stone running. I have had my tank for about 8 months and have had so many problems. I am keeping livebearers (platinum guppies, balloon mollys, koi swordtails, red tiger platies). These fish were expensive and after a few months had problems. I also have a good covering of plants and floating plants. I have lost many fish I first thought it was parasitic as fish were flicking their gills and going downhill quickly. Not the whole tank but one every few weeks. I try treating with sterazin and after tried parazin p. Over the months have tried various treatments with water changes and carbon and greenx in between but still am losing fish. I have thought it was parasitic at first also tried wormer plus and anti parasite food. Then thought it may be fungal and have tried protozin and melafix. Have tried lots over the last 6 months. I do a water change of 25% every week and feed a very varied diet of flake, frozen, pellet, jelly foods, wafers over the week. The symptoms do vary from wasting away sometimes they still eat sometimes they don't, flicking, red gills, dropsy, laying on the bottom gasping, clamped fins, this is what seems to be the problem at the moment. I test my ph, nitrite and ammonia regularly I did have a spike about 5 weeks ago and returned to normal ( treatment wiped out filter bacteria ) and lost fish because of it. I add a small amount of salt. All my fish have been affected apart from the mollies put about 1 tablespoon of salt per 4.5 gallons. Have tried sitting back and not treating in case I am kiling them with kindness but they still die. Am now thinking it may be internal bacteria due to the dropsy and have put my first dose of interpet 9 anti internal bacteria. I am on the verge of giving up I have spent too much time, worry and money on it. About 5 years ago I had the same tank set up with no problems and a four foot marine tank but stripped them down when I moved. Cant believe I kept corals but cant keep guppies. The ph of the water is 7 so high but the fish do well in the pet shop round the corner. It takes a while for them to show signs maybe 3 weeks and not all do. The babies are growing that they have not eaten and are doing great. Please can anyone help I hope it is internal bacteria and I can enjoy my tank again but have lost faith.
I am new to this forum but I have a problem with my tropical fish. I have a 35 gallon tank. I have got an undergravel filter, an external fluval 305 and an air stone running. I have had my tank for about 8 months and have had so many problems. I am keeping livebearers (platinum guppies, balloon mollys, koi swordtails, red tiger platies). These fish were expensive and after a few months had problems. I also have a good covering of plants and floating plants. I have lost many fish I first thought it was parasitic as fish were flicking their gills and going downhill quickly. Not the whole tank but one every few weeks. I try treating with sterazin and after tried parazin p. Over the months have tried various treatments with water changes and carbon and greenx in between but still am losing fish. I have thought it was parasitic at first also tried wormer plus and anti parasite food. Then thought it may be fungal and have tried protozin and melafix. Have tried lots over the last 6 months. I do a water change of 25% every week and feed a very varied diet of flake, frozen, pellet, jelly foods, wafers over the week. The symptoms do vary from wasting away sometimes they still eat sometimes they don't, flicking, red gills, dropsy, laying on the bottom gasping, clamped fins, this is what seems to be the problem at the moment. I test my ph, nitrite and ammonia regularly I did have a spike about 5 weeks ago and returned to normal ( treatment wiped out filter bacteria ) and lost fish because of it. I add a small amount of salt. All my fish have been affected apart from the mollies put about 1 tablespoon of salt per 4.5 gallons. Have tried sitting back and not treating in case I am kiling them with kindness but they still die. Am now thinking it may be internal bacteria due to the dropsy and have put my first dose of interpet 9 anti internal bacteria. I am on the verge of giving up I have spent too much time, worry and money on it. About 5 years ago I had the same tank set up with no problems and a four foot marine tank but stripped them down when I moved. Cant believe I kept corals but cant keep guppies. The ph of the water is 7 so high but the fish do well in the pet shop round the corner. It takes a while for them to show signs maybe 3 weeks and not all do. The babies are growing that they have not eaten and are doing great. Please can anyone help I hope it is internal bacteria and I can enjoy my tank again but have lost faith.
