Sniff...

[Saz]

I had to put my platies out of their misery as they got white spot and were on the edge of death. They had it so bad it even covered their eyes so they couldn't see. The first time they got it I quarrantined them and they recovered but when I put them back in the main tank they got it again. I don't know why cos none of the other fish have it. So I decided to treat the whole tank but it just did not seem to help.
I got some different platies today my last ones were pure black but these are marbled black, white, orange and yellow. They are also much larger. I have put them in quarrantine and they are quite nervy-the woman at the store treated them really roughly! They are lovely and hopefully they have a better immune system than the last lot. I've notice 1 has a white spot but he'll probably be ok. Is it true that quarrantine should last 4 40 days?

I'm going to do a total clean out of my main tank and I'm gonna replce the gravel with some nicer stuff. Does anybody have any advice or tips to help me with my total clean out operation?

Lots of love Sarah xxx

 

[Angry_Platy]

Just be careful with the new platies until you know the ich has completely gone away. Personally I wouldn't buy a fish that had ich but perhaps you didn't see it at the time.

Quarantine periods for me depends on where I get the fish. If I trust the LFS It is 2 weeks, if I fdon't know/trust the LFS then it is 4 weeks. They then get a good examination before getting introduced to the other fish and if ANYTHING is not right, ven if it seems minor, they remain in quarantine till the problem is rectified.

*BREATHE*

I'd love to see some photos of your platies

 

[fatguppy]

We replaced gravel with sand and much prefer it. I can't see where you are from - if in the UK - play sand is fine which you can get from supermarkets/toy shops etc. It needs washing about three times before you can add it - but IMO it is much nicer than gravel and much cheaper! There are also loads of coloured sands which you can buy from specalist shops. More expensive but very attractive - I like the black stuff and there has been postings on this forum regarding merits etc of coloured sand.

Sorry about your fish - it is distressing when they die and whitespot is horrible to treat. I think you do get some fish that are just not very robust. We had endless problems with guppies and after losing about 4/5 we gave up keeping them. All other fish were fine but every single guppy we bought gave up the ghost within a week or so for no specific reason.

Remember if you are doing a "total clean out" that you do need to keep your filter medium so as not to lose the beneficial bacteria. I assume you know this but if not sure - keep posting and you will get all the info you need.

Good luck

 

[Saz]

Thank you for both of your replies and yes I do come from the Uk! I would like to show a picture of my platies but a don't have a working digital camera at the mo and I have no access to a scanner d'oh.
Thank for all your advice and yes I knew about the filter sponge but thank you anyway. I managed to totally clean out the tank and it went very well. My plecostomous got a bit stressed on her return but she is now back to her usual mischief-trying to knock over the heater. That platy with white spot doesn't have white spot. On closer inspection it looks like a spec of pigment or maybe an area of the fin that was once damaged but now has healed. Everybody is fine and well one platy looks a little sad-his dorsal isn't as high as the rest but I cannot find anything physically wrong with him.
I've been keeping a close check on my parameters and all seems fine -nitrite,nitrate and ammonia are low or non existant.

Lets hope this bout of good luck lasts!
Thank you all again
lots of love Sarah xxx