Water Tested

[h.simpson]

Hi im having loads of problems with my tank. Im losing a fish a week!!!
Ive got 2 test kits. the tablet test kit was giving false results and so ive bought a dropper test kit witch is giving me the readings i expect. Ammonia 0 Nitrite 0 Nitrate 10 - 15 Ph 7.2
Ive been advised on soo many meds and have tried most of them, still im losing fish!!!
The last fish to die is a harliquin tetra (yesterday), no visual signs of stress or disase?
My 2 of 3 neons have got what looks like neon tetra disease, with a light patch on its tail nuckle, and ragged fins.
ive 3 guppys which look fine except 1 has a slight split in its tail.
1 baby platy which is fine also
1 harliquin which is fine aslo
1 male black molly which is also well!
ive lost 2 mollies over the last 2 weeks with loss of appetite and movement. So ive done a course of internal meds n0 9 interpet and now after running carbon im trying pimafix.
So id like to get my water tested properly in case of high metals or summit being realesed in to the water either from the tank or the decor! any advice welcome.
Im from the uk and my tank is 30 L , been running for 4 months. fish r fun tank & a good filter.
ive also lost 1 shrimp , 1 sucking loach, a few guppys and other tetra fish.

 

[jwddboy]

do they look like they are gasping? Can you describe any symptoms of anything you can see in the water or on the tank.

Stop pouring in meds untill you know what it is. A med soup can be worse for fish.

 

[emma12321]

Hi,

30 litres is only 6.5991 imperial gallons or 7.9275 US gallons so i'm surprised by your test reading for the amount of fish you have. As a general guide you should aim to have an inch of adult size fish per US gallon (this applies only to slim bodied fish under 3 inches) . Some of the fish you have the harlequin rasboras should be in groups of at least 6 so you'd be more than fully stocked with just a group of these. Do you use a dechlorinator when changing water? Do you vac the gravel/ sand? what temperature is the tank?

Emma

 

[WILDER]

I agree that tank was well overstocked, causing stress and desease, don't add meds to the tank till you know what you are dealing with.
The tetra the patch on its tail does it look fluffy in appearance.

 

[h.simpson]

Im using tap safe during water changes, the tank is at 25 c, i use the gravel vac also.
Ive been using internal med as the only fish that seem to be showing any visual problems was the molly with loss of movement in the tail and then blood veins showing in their fins.
The harlequin didnt show any signs of problems at all, nor did the sucking loach, and the same for a few of the other fish. The neon has a slight white faded mark on its tail knuckle with a ragged appearance on the other 1 and looking bloated today also. Ive only done interpet n0 9 med course then left for a few days then ran carbon now trying pimafix so im supprised it was classed as a med soup.
Could it be copper from my hot water tank causing problems as i do use warm water to mix to the cold water to match the tank temp for water changes?
Im soo stumped as to what it can be.
Ive also been getting a white crystal formation appearing on the rim of outside top of tank which i wipe off daily and keeps re-appeering, it reminds me of what salt looks like after evapperating if from a sloution. This has appeared since the day i set it up. Im totaly baffled!!!!!
Help Please.

 

[WILDER]

Blood veins showing in the tail is due to bad water quality and is septiicmia which is very hard to cure once it has progressed, i don't quite believe your test results, as it a very small tank and it's overstocked.

 

[h.simpson]

with 3 neons 1 harliquin 3 guppys? The test kit is new, doc well fish. Also had a friend bring his test kit over that was when i found out my 1st tablet test kit was giving false results, which made me buy my current 1. You carnt belive how sad i am to be losing fish, as it was bought as a present. its around 38L tank. The filter has a few sets of sponges and ceramics rings and filter floss, with a good turn over rate!!
Could the salts crystals be any thing which are appearing on the out side glass?

 

[WILDER]

Are you using a bacerial med, please get a decent size tank, and research how many fish you can put in it, and research the fish before you add them.

 

[mark.w.jones]

Your symptoms definitely appear to have resulted from poor water quality as a result of initially overstocking. I will prepare to be shot down but according to emma you have a 7.92 US gallon tank, therefore room for about 8 adult inches of fish.

3 neons = about 3 inches
1 harliquin tetra = about 1 inch
3 guppys = about 4.5inches

Altogether 8.5inches. So, I reckon as your tetras won't produce much waste your probably not overstocked any longer but don't add any more fish. Your guppies will be fine i think as long as theyre all male (unless you want loads of fry to add to your problems) You have a poor harlequin tetra who is used to living in a school but is currently on his own. Could you take him back as I dont think he'll live a very happy life without other tetras from his species. You also have 3 neons who do better in a larger group and which arent at all good for beginners or new tanks in my opinion. They have quite specific needs waterwise and contrary to popular belief are not actually that easy to keep well.

My Advice:
No more fish (take back harlequin if poss)
Less is more in terms of numbers of species in a tank. Larger groups of 2 species look and survive better than one fish from lots of species especially if they are schooling fish.
Dont use hot water from tap to change water. Heat up 3litre squash bottle of water in microwave. Mix with cold + dechlorinator in bucket. Then add.
White crystal stuff in tank is pobably mineral content from your water, especially if you live in a hard water area. OR something from you fish meds. Nothing particularly to worry about.
Find out Ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH of your tap water so you know where youre starting from.
Gravel vac and do about a 20% water change weekly.
Squeeze out filter floss weekly in old tank water.
Squeeze out sponges monthly or if they get really clogged up in old tank.
Cermics leave alone unless they begin to look horrendous. If you need to replace obviously dont do the whole lot in one go. ABout a third then leave for them to become colonised with bacteria.
All these things will help to improve your water quality and will hopefully prevent any more deaths, no guarentees thou.

Good luck

 

[h.simpson]

Massive thanks jonsey!!! About time i had some decent advice cheers mate.

I didnt choose the tank nor did i choose the fish, im hear to seek sound advice!! The harliquin has now been taken out of my tank.