Platy In Disress!

[Akasha72]

No problem. Happy to help where I can. Let us know how you get on

 

[soybean]

I will get a drop tester for the ammonia tomorrow, and ammonia to add to the cycling tank so I don't make the same mistakes.

Try to get one that does nitrite, nitrate and ph as well - gets a bit pricey buying them individually and you need them all

 

[Vendetta]

One last question, Could I be over cleaning the filter sponges? I always clean them in aquarium water each week when I do 20% water changes. Having read the cycling guide I realised that what I was trying to clean out of the filter could well be the stuff I should be trying to build up!!

 

[soybean]

Absolutely! For example, I recently gave the top three sponges in my internal filter a quick rinse for the first time since I set it up back in March, and I only did it because I noticed a reduction in flow - they were just a bit too clogged up. Leave the sponges to it and they'll do their thing

 

[Vendetta]

Omg! I was thinking I was being really diligent keeping them so clean! Right, will stop that immediately!

 

[HayzH]

when your filter flow reduces, this can be a sign that it needs a clean...apart from that dont touch the filter media.
Also WHEN you do clean make sure you are "swishing" in extracted tank water.NOT tap water.

 

[zuulan]

Hi

Just keep doing daily water changes and hope he'll get better. You do use de-chlorinator and match the temperatures, right?

Don't bother cleaning the filter media unless the flow rate goes down because it's getting clogged. Probably once every few months.

Good Luck!

 

[Vendetta]

Thanks Zuulan, yes I use de-chlorinator and match the temps. HayzH, I'v already said I use aquarium water to clean the filter, I would never use tap water! And I'v already established that I shouldn't touch the media until the water flow is reduced, thanks.
The trouble I'm having now is finding somewhere that sells pure ammonia! Boots don't do it any more and I don't know where else to try. I took a sample down to the lfs and they tested it with the drop test and again it came back as 0 but I'm going to carry on treating it as if it is an ammonia spike as I don't know what else it could be, and neither does anyone else. I did a 50% water change last night and he does look a little better today, his fins are un-clamped but he's still got his mouth open... So more water changes are definitely coming.
Thanks for all the help, hopefully he'll make it to hate me another day, lol! He has hated me ever since I took his girls away, he was being too abusive to them and stressing them out. He actually spat stones at me against the glass! Hence his name, psycho platy

 

[Louiseness]

The trouble I'm having now is finding somewhere that sells pure ammonia! Boots don't do it any more and I don't know where else to try.

To get ammonia from boots you have to order it online,most if not all shops don't keep it in stock. Apparently homebase does stock it though so you could try there.

 

[Vendetta]

Thanks Louiseness, I'll try that

 

[Vendetta]

No luck there, apparently you have to have a prescription for it before they'll send it to you. We don't have a Homebase on the Island and there's nothing on their website.
Any other suggestions much appreciated.

 

[soybean]

http/www.boots.com/en/Boots-Household-ammonia-500ml_923908/

Order online, delivery to store for collection.

Another option is Jeyes Kleen Off household ammonia.

 

[Vendetta]

Great, thanks soybean, a 500ml bottle of jeyes kleen off household ammonia has been ordered. Boots were out of stock.


Btw I don't think he's going to last the night, he's now sitting on the bottom of the tank

 

[soybean]

Once the damage is done its not really reversible. You've done your best!

 

[Vendetta]

Thanks soybean. He did make it through the night and even took a little food but he's back on the bottom again now. Received the ammonia drop test today,it's the API ammonia+NH3/NH4 test kit, is this the right one? I only ask as I found one for £13 inc p&p. Did I get a bargain or have I got the wrong one?