Help

[Jen21]

OK, I have a 30 gallon tank with about 15 livebearers, 2 otos and 4 cories (one day I'll have a profile). Just a few days ago, my nitrite levels were very high, and 2 of my platies died. I have been doing daily water changes and checking the levels. Today the ammonia and nitrites were .25 and the rest were fine. Now, all of my fish are acting very lathargic, not eating and some are swimming weird. I noticed one of the platies have a bit of white on his fin.... the otos are doing especially bad. I just added some Melafix because it looks a bit like fin rot. ALL of my fish are huddled into a group in the back of the tank. What do I do? Please Help!

 

[abstract]

is it a new tank? with ammonia and nitrite readings it sounds like it is still cycling...you need to do water changes as you have been to keep those levels lwo...i hope people have good advice on how to help a tank cycle faster with such a high stocking load....is there any way you can use a filter from an already established tank? that would definatly help your tank out...

 

[Jen21]

It is not a new tank, but for some reason it is cycling again... I have been doing water changes to try to get it to cycle.... the levels are almost at 0... Im just afraid my whole tank is going to die....

 

[abstract]

well the only explanation is that something happened to the beneficial bacteria....did you recently clean out the filter? have you used any new chemicals? the best thing you can do is what you are already doing - water changes and monitor the parameters....i would normally recommend a bit of salt but not with the cories.

do anything you can to relieve their stress - melafix (as you've done already), small water changes (max of about 10-15% per day unless levels get really out of control) - if you change TOO much water you will be removing too much of the ammonia and nitrites (although they are toxic to the fish, the bacteria need them to survive and reproduce)...i would also cut down on the amount of lighting to reduce stress (i.e. 6 hrs instead of 8 or 10)...there is not too much else you can do short of getting a filter or the filter media from an established tank..

let us know how it works out

 

[Jen21]

Yes, I did recently change filter medias.... :sigh:... but I thought I would be getting rid of all the "bad" toxins. The fish are acting a bit better... I'm just worried that maybe I should do another small water change... I'm afraid that tomorrow all my fish are going to be dead

 

[abstract]

you don't want to throw out old media, that is where all the good bacteria is...is there any way to get media from an established tank that you could put in your filter to speed up cycling, since your tank will have to completely cycle again now

 

[pjfish]

Keep on doing water changes to help lower the ammonia and nitrites. Good luck!