Southerrrngirrl Posted August 17, 2007 Report Share Posted August 17, 2007 Just got home to find one of my poor corys sucked up to the filter, although still alive, he's clearly not happy. I caught him and took some pics: What do you guys think?? I immediately did water tests pH about 7.2-7.6, nitrate less than 5ppm, but ammonia is at about 5ppm. I don't know if thats regarded as high, but I know its unacceptable. So I'm thinking this poor little fella is suffering from the effects of ammonia in the water?? Also on a side note, while I was at it I snapped a couple of pics to show the amount of poop that collects in less than a week: http://www.fnzas.org.nz/fishroom/excessive-fish-poo-vt23104.htmlPost on my fishy poop problem I'm guessing this is attributing to my current ammonia problem. I'm also guessing that the show is over for this little cory.. off to do a water change. Any other advice?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jayci Posted August 17, 2007 Report Share Posted August 17, 2007 wow!!! ammonia 5ppm. I would be doing twice daily 30 percent water changes with that level and keep doing so untill it droped below 1ppm. It puts your filter into question. it is not doing its job. I don't know what filter you got, but I would reckconmend an external canister filter like a Aqua One CF1000 or simialar. I've got one on my 130ltr tank haven't clean it for 3 months now, and it's still going good. got 40 zebra danios and 10 guppies in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr pleco Posted August 17, 2007 Report Share Posted August 17, 2007 jayci just cause "its still goin good " dosent mean it dosent need a clean just to clarify Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southerrrngirrl Posted August 17, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 17, 2007 I have an Aqua One AR850 and use the filter that came with it. $$'s are pretty tight at the moment so can't go out and buy a new filter. So you think something might have disrupted the biological filter? I can't think what, I haven't added anything to the tank other than some new plants and some Leaf Zone, which by they way I have used in the past with no problems. I've done a water change already, I'll do another tomorrow morning and as you said continue until that ammonia gets down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jn Posted August 17, 2007 Report Share Posted August 17, 2007 Maybe skip feeding them for a day or so. How often do you feed? How long does it take them to eat it all? (Hang on. I'm remembering.. you're feeding shrimp pellets? Sorry!!) How about trying just some regular flakes for a while to see if it helps? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jayci Posted August 17, 2007 Report Share Posted August 17, 2007 I had an other thought. Could there be something decomposing in the tank? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
herefishiefishie Posted August 18, 2007 Report Share Posted August 18, 2007 I am with above comments. Check tank for dead matter, ie;fish. How often & how much do you feed? How often & how much water do you change? Do you use a gravel vac? How do you clean the filter? To me all the debris you took the picture of, is way to much. The ammonia has burned the cories gills & skin. The red patches/marks will be bacterial infection. I would be doing 30-50% water changes, every day. Cut back feeding to once every 2 days. Just flake & light feeds. Pellets are high in protein, if any are uneaten, water can go off quick. Frenchy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markoshark Posted August 18, 2007 Report Share Posted August 18, 2007 shrimp pellets - Wardley's Shrimp Pellets? If you are feeding these, I'd advise that you stop feeding them alltogether. i've read on the forums that they can break down, and foul the water rather quickly, because of the very fine particle size... I also know, that if you try an dfeed them to my oscar, he will spit them out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southerrrngirrl Posted August 19, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 19, 2007 I am with above comments. Check tank for dead matter, ie;fish. Not too many places for dead fish to hide other than under the driftwood I have in there, I suppose the poop could be collecting under it though... How often & how much do you feed? I feed maybe once every 2-3 days, 3-4 small pellets How often & how much water do you change? Once a week about 40-60 litres Do you use a gravel vac? Have done lately since the discovery of the excessive poop, I do it the same time as the water change, but at the rate it collects I could probably do it every 2-3 days. How do you clean the filter? Rinse in tank water I've been feeding wardleys shrimp pellets to my fish for over a year and never had any problems like this before. I'll try flakes but my loaches and shark aren't gonna be happy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jayci Posted August 21, 2007 Report Share Posted August 21, 2007 How is that cory doing? How you going on with the ammonia? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southerrrngirrl Posted August 22, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2007 He's gone :-( I did a water change, tested water next day it was 0, did another water change last night. I'm keeping a careful eye on his tankmates, everyone still seems happy.. so far. I think I really need to lift up that drift wood to see how much crap is under there, I'm scared to do it though cos whenever I do tank maintenance, the loaches go hide in it and I worry that if I move it around I could end up squishing a loach. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.