Sudsy Water?

[IrieJar]

Here is my original post (to give you some background)...

For my daughter's 4th birthday, my mother bought her a 2.5g Minibow kit. I replaced the filter with a Red Sea Nano, added a mini heater and set it up with gravel, 3 fake plants and a little "bridge" my 4yo picked out. I used Tetra water conditioner. We went to a local pet store that (I thought) had a good aquatics area. Unfortunatley, we left the store with 4 neon tetras. This was last Tues. They were fine until Thurs. AM, when 2 died and the water was cloudy. I have been checking levels every morning and doing about a 25% water change daily since. The last 2 fish were fine until yesterday, when I noticed...Ich. I went to another pet store and told the girl there everything, and she said that at this point with Neons, there isn't a lot of hope. She said the meds for Ich in an uncycled or cycling tank are prob going to be harder on the fish than the disease. She recommended a lot, and I ended up buying Prime to use as a water cond., and carbon to add to the filter (not necessarily to "cure" the fish). She said that if (when) the neons die, I do not have to start all over, as the bacterial is already becoming established, but do need to wait until the levels are down to add more fish. I asked about Ich, and she said that it is always there, but stress causes suseptability, so it should not be a concern to new fish (thinking Zebra Danios). So, today, the fish are ok and eating. One fish has been bullying the other. My questions are...Is there anything I can do? Is the info I have received correct? If the fish do not make it, can I just add more fish if the levels are down, even with the Ich?? Why is the one fish being such a butthead?

So, I have not medicated the fish per recommendations from the pet store. I have been continuing my water changes. I do realize the fishies chance of survival is nil. Now, this morning, there are a lot of suds on the top of the water. Why? I am using Prime with my water changes, and there are no soaps or cleaners being used AT ALL. Please help. I am HATING this, and ready to stop with the new "hobby." Everyone has a different recommendation, I am sad for the fish and feel like a complete moron. This is just not FUN at all. I should also add that as of yesterday, I am now getting Nitrate readings. I think that is normal at this stage, but I am so confused at this point.

 

[rabbut]

OK, do you have a full set of water stats? This sounds like the water may be becomming stale. Is the filter disturbing the surface? It would be a good idea to do a waterchange, arround 20%, to try to clear it.

All the best
Rabbut

 

[IrieJar]

OK, do you have a full set of water stats? This sounds like the water may be becomming stale. Is the filter disturbing the surface? It would be a good idea to do a waterchange, arround 20%, to try to clear it.

All the best
Rabbut

I have strips...I know they aren't as accurate...but this is what I got this AM....

PH 6.4
Nitrite .5
Nitrate 20
Ammonia 1.0

Sorry if that doesn't make sense...I bought strips thinking it would be easier, but now realize they aren't as accurate. I have been doing water changes every day (about 25%) to try to keep these fish alive. Now, with ich, I know it is a matter of time, but I feel bad, and am getting attached to the little buggers. I thought about salt...but I don't know!!

 

[chicklette]

If your neons have ick I don’t know why she would not recommend medicating. I would use rid ick +. I find this to be the best medication for it. If you have ick and don’t treat them they will die. Be sure to take the carbon out while medicating because it removes the medication.

When dealing with ick I treat for three consecutive days and then treat for one to two weeks every other day doing water changes. You can also add a bit of salt.

Now for your water parameters. You are still cycling. This is another reason why the neons are dying and having trouble along with the ick. Neons are sensitive fish.

You need to keep doing water changes until your tank is cycled. You want your ammonia to 0ppm, nitrites to 0ppm and you want a nitrate reading.

So you are dealing with two problems. We really have to get that tank cycled.

I think your neons are just playing. My neons all did that but they never hurt each other.

So don’t give up yet. They may still make if we can get that ick cured with the medication and that tank cycled.

 

[IrieJar]

If your neons have ick I don’t know why she would not recommend medicating. I would use rid ick +. I find this to be the best medication for it. If you have ick and don’t treat them they will die. Be sure to take the carbon out while medicating because it removes the medication.

When dealing with ick I treat for three consecutive days and then treat for one to two weeks every other day doing water changes. You can also add a bit of salt.

Now for your water parameters. You are still cycling. This is another reason why the neons are dying and having trouble along with the ick. Neons are sensitive fish.

You need to keep doing water changes until your tank is cycled. You want your ammonia to 0ppm, nitrites to 0ppm and you want a nitrate reading.

So you are dealing with two problems. We really have to get that tank cycled.

I think your neons are just playing. My neons all did that but they never hurt each other.

So don’t give up yet. They may still make if we can get that ick cured with the medication and that tank cycled.

Ok, so she said that with the tank being uncycled and ick, it is pretty slim they would make it EVEN if medicated. She said the medication tends to be really hard on them since the tank is still uncycled. Also, it was $10 for the smallest bottle, and she said it is very hard to get an accurate dose in such a small tank. I thought about salt, but am confused. The book I have says to add table salt (non-iodized). It says 1 teaspoon for each gallon and to continue 2 x daily for about 3-4 days. I am so confused, because others say to use aquarium salt. I have Morton Salt...hmm. This is from the Essential Freshwater Aquarium. Now, can I do all of this if the tank is not cycled? Please help...more.

SO confused!!

 

[chicklette]

I think slimy or not you still need to medicate. However, the tank should not be slimy. Maybe it needs a good cleaning. Scrub the sides with an algae scrubber. The ick medication will not make it slimy. It will turn the water blue for a bit but that does not last. I could see the tank being slimy from medications like melafix and primafix.

What water conditioner are you using? My personal preference is Prime. Some water conditioners feel slimy and look like snot, Sorry for the description but if it looks like snot it’s not going in my tank, LOL.

They still need to be treated even if it’s a bit harsh on them but if you read the directions and follow the instructions and don’t over medicate they should be fine. If they are not treated they will die from ick. And if there are not enough water changes this is very hard on them.

I would test the water every day so you know where you are in the cycling process. You want ammonia to be 0ppm, nitrite to be 0ppm and a nitrate reading.

The salt you need to use is aquarium salt. You can get it at any fish store. The amount is 1tbs per 10 gallons.

For you tank just put in a tiny bit. Not much because the tank is so small. Do you have any measuring tools for baking? If so you can use that to measure the medication amount.

You have to do all that in a tank that is not cycled. If not the fish will becomes even more ill. I know it’s frustrating at first but don’t give up. Your tank will cycle and I do believe you have a change at saving these fish if you medicate. The sooner you medicate the better.