tHEcONCH Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 The food 'fuzz' is a clue - that suggests colonisation by bacteria or fungus that aren't part of the nitrogen cycle, so although your water tests OK, I suspect your biofilter is only just coping. You may also have elevated phosphate (you can buy a test for that) which can stress fish. Bacteria is always present in your tank (and everywhere else) - your fish only succumb to it if they are stressed or physically damaged and weakened, so you will have to do your best to work out what what caused the problem. If it isn't phosphate or ammonia etc., then you have some other sort of contaminant, so I'd be inclined to give your tank a good clean (hoover the gravel etc) and do one big water change (80%) if you haven't done that already, then change 25% / week from now. p.s. I don't know about the water in your area, but if it is treated you will need to declorinate / age it before you use it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JK Posted February 11, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 Thanks mate When doing water changes that big I is difficult to age the water. I have 5 buckets for the fish tank only (good old bunnings 78cents) so I can fill those and age for 24hours. That should give 40ltrs but thats only about 40% water change Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JK Posted February 11, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 Thanks mate When doing water changes that big I is difficult to age the water. I have 5 buckets for the fish tank only (good old bunnings 78cents) so I can fill those and age for 24hours. That should give 40ltrs but thats only about 40% water change Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tHEcONCH Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 Thanks mate When doing water changes that big I is difficult to age the water. I have 5 buckets for the fish tank only (good old bunnings 78cents) so I can fill those and age for 24hours. That should give 40ltrs but thats only about 40% water change In that case just change however much you can age - maybe do 2 x 40 litres over two or three days - otherwise you will stress and kill your fish for sure. Best of luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caper Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 JK, can you purchase some kind of water ager? Sorry for you losses, hope it all gets sorted really soon. Conch, the pic that jk posted (the fish did look like it had fin rot), but obviously it wasn't since the fish died so quickly right? Fin rot wouldn't kill a fish that fast would it? I mean I know you folks are thinking some kind of bacteria/fungus but just curious about the fin rot. Caper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tHEcONCH Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 JK, can you purchase some kind of water ager? Sorry for you losses, hope it all gets sorted really soon. Conch, the pic that jk posted (the fish did look like it had fin rot), but obviously it wasn't since the fish died so quickly right? Fin rot wouldn't kill a fish that fast would it? I mean I know you folks are thinking some kind of bacteria/fungus but just curious about the fin rot. Caper Fin rot wouldn't have been the root cause, but it indicates that the fish was weakened to the point that bacteria could take hold. That suggests water contamination, and as the usual nitrogen cycle susbstances have been ruled out my money would be on whatever the local authority treats their water with, perhaps chlorine. In low doses that would cause the fish to be sick and suseptable to infection before dying of chlorine poisoning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caper Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 Thanks Whew, did my tank cleaning yesterday and forgot to put in the dechlorinator. Using the vac's that attach directly to the hose so forgot, but thank heavens realized it within seconds! Caper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JK Posted February 11, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 Somehting just hit me...we have a robocan with the 100% natural pyretherin. It's in the kitchen so not the same room as where the tank is but it is in the house. Wondering if this has had some impact? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tHEcONCH Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 Yep, if it gets in the tank water it will harm your fish - make sure you cover your tank when you use it (or try to avoid using it anywhere near the tank if you can) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JK Posted February 11, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 The tank is covered and does have a lid but there are some tiny holes that I guess it could get in to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JK Posted February 12, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 Well tonights update, no deaths while at work today so thats a bonus. The fish that are left (bristlenose and neons) are still swimming ok but do look a bit lazier than usual thats for sure. Did a 30% water change tonight - i have some aqua plus - is that suitable to conditioning water from the tap so can be used in the tank straight away? (as long as PH is ok) Will do another water change of the same tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JK Posted February 13, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 13, 2008 I've put an update to this at http://www.fnzas.org.nz/fishroom/at-a-l ... 28241.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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