Hi, I Need Some Advise!

[Bristlenose]

I have kept fish for about 3 years, Although i have just found this forum and require some help.
I have had some initial success, having had my corydoras breed 3 times over 3 years but recently i have had many problems. Over the last 3 months everything in my tank has started to get ill and die!

I have tested the water and ph, is good no nitrite or ammonia levels, regular water changes etc. I am fairly sure it is a disease based problem. The fish have shown no real symptoms, lack of appitite, Darting, followed quickly by death. I have done several water changes and that hasnt helped, Treated the tank for Swim bladder disorder as both my Angels ended up floating before death (id had them 3 years ). Have had carbon filters in between treatments to get rid of medicine or other pollutants! Have treated for flukes (thinking the darting motion was irritation) Still fish are ending up dead.

My plan now is to evac the survivers and gut the tank to start again including the gravel, its very green now!

Two questions
1) What do you think is causing the deaths, there is no signs of illness other than flicking!
2) if i gut the tank what can i use to clean it to rid me of potential harmful bacteria? That wont hurt the fish?

Thanks in advance, plan to do this tomorrow!

 

[backtotropical]

Hi, you can use bleach to clean the tank so long as you make sure you have rinsed every last trace out before putting fish back in.

Sorry to hear about your deaths. Flicking and rubbing is a classic symptom of whitespot. Have you noticed any white spots on the fish?

 

[Bristlenose]

Hi, you can use bleach to clean the tank so long as you make sure you have rinsed every last trace out before putting fish back in.

Sorry to hear about your deaths. Flicking and rubbing is a classic symptom of whitespot. Have you noticed any white spots on the fish?

Nope, there was never any physical marks on them at all. Even the people in my local shop seemed very confused!

Using bleach seems a scary option, but i will give it a go if nothing else is suggested! i was told to use vinegar? that wont kill harmful bacteria will it/ and hot water!

 

[rabbut]

Hi, you can use bleach to clean the tank so long as you make sure you have rinsed every last trace out before putting fish back in.

Sorry to hear about your deaths. Flicking and rubbing is a classic symptom of whitespot. Have you noticed any white spots on the fish?

Nope, there was never any physical marks on them at all. Even the people in my local shop seemed very confused!

Using bleach seems a scary option, but i will give it a go if nothing else is suggested! i was told to use vinegar? that wont kill harmful bacteria will it/ and hot water!

Sounds a little like internal bactiria to me, so if you do gut the tank, a chlorien bleach soak would definately be in order. Chlorine bleach is safe, as tap water dechlorinator will nutralise it without issues, should any be left in the tank. The main thing then would be re-cycling the tank and ensuring that all the fish are healthy again. If it does come to cycling, remember that a fishless cycle is better for your fish, than the conventional fish-in cycle.

HTH
rabbut

 

[Bristlenose]

Hi, you can use bleach to clean the tank so long as you make sure you have rinsed every last trace out before putting fish back in.

Sorry to hear about your deaths. Flicking and rubbing is a classic symptom of whitespot. Have you noticed any white spots on the fish?

Nope, there was never any physical marks on them at all. Even the people in my local shop seemed very confused!

Using bleach seems a scary option, but i will give it a go if nothing else is suggested! i was told to use vinegar? that wont kill harmful bacteria will it/ and hot water!

Sounds a little like internal bactiria to me, so if you do gut the tank, a chlorien bleach soak would definately be in order. Chlorine bleach is safe, as tap water dechlorinator will nutralise it without issues, should any be left in the tank. The main thing then would be re-cycling the tank and ensuring that all the fish are healthy again. If it does come to cycling, remember that a fishless cycle is better for your fish, than the conventional fish-in cycle.

HTH
rabbut

Where could i buy chlorine bleach? ive looked in my local shops and its all the regular stuff!

 

[rabbut]

Where could i buy chlorine bleach? ive looked in my local shops and its all the regular stuff!

It is not always called Chlorine bleach. I was under the inpression that normal bleach was baced on chlorien, but I could be worng. To confirm the type, you would have to look at the ingrediants list.

HTH
rabbut