Is The Biorb First Aid Filter Overdosing My Fish?

[jenniferhard]

Hiya, has anyone used the biorb first aid filter?

We noticed a couple of the fish had white spots so purchased the biorb first aid filter as it sorts that out plus more and since then 3 of the fish got significantly worse and died and the rest are acting like they are drugged - sleeping (or fish equivalent) all the time.

Anyone got any clues what I should do or is this normal?

 

[fluttermoth]

Can we have some more info from you, please?

Which sized Biorb is it, how long have you had it set up and what fish do you have? When was the last time you did a water change?

 

[jenniferhard]

It's a 60litre biorb life tank (one that looks like an iPhone) and we've had it set up for about 6 months.

Fish include 3 siamese fighters, 2 mollies, 1 bovarian ram (was 3), 5 tetras (was 6), 2 suckerfish.

50% water change about a week and a half ago and we put the first aid filter in 3 days ago.

 

[fluttermoth]

I would suspect a water quality issue; maybe in replacing your usual filter media you lost a lot of your beneficial bacteria, leading to raised levels of ammonia and nitrite.

Your also very heavily stocked, so you need to be doing much bigger and more frequent water changes, and a lot of your fish aren't suitable for the size tank you have; I'm particularly concerned about your 'suckerfish'; depending on the exact species, they could be ones that ought to grow to nearly two feet long Are the Siamese fighters all female?

For the moment, put your old filter back in, change at least 50% of the water every day, and get yourself some test kits (the liquid or tablet ones, not the paper dip strip type) for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. Also get a liquid medication for Whitespot, if you're sure that's what your fish have.

Long term, you're going to have to identify your fish, and thing about rehoming or getting a bigger tank, if they're not suitable for yours.