rkum070 Posted October 10, 2011 Report Share Posted October 10, 2011 I have a 130 litre tank (35 gal) that is filtered by a 60 gallon external filter. All my fish are at the top of the tank as if gasping for air? They seem to really be struggling, even my pleco sprints to the surface and back. What could the problem be? 1) My 130litre tank has, 2 YOUNG t-bar cichlid, 5 neons, 12 cherry barbs and one bristlenose pleco. So the tank is understocked and overfiltered. 2) I dont think it is amonia levels as i have never had this type of problem before,the tank has been running for 3 years now. Plus to remain on the safe side i did two 20% water changes, one on saturday and one today. 3) My filter output is aimed towards the surface of the tank to cause light ripples in order to oxygenate the water. Again i dont believe their is a lack of oxygen but i dont know? PLEASE HELP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted October 10, 2011 Report Share Posted October 10, 2011 how often do you clean your filter? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squirt Posted October 10, 2011 Report Share Posted October 10, 2011 Is there any plants? I believe they do some reverse photosynthesis at night, so take in oxygen and expel carbon dioxide. If so there may be a lack of oxygen. Or maybe the temperature is too high? Water at higher temperature holds less oxygen than water at lower temperatures. HTH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oO SKIPPY Oo Posted October 10, 2011 Report Share Posted October 10, 2011 whats the PH, and is it different to what it should be? if its quite different i would do a huge water change.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rkum070 Posted October 10, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2011 I though plants may be a problem so i took a number of them out. There isnt too many plants in the tank now so it shouldnt be a problem. In terms of pH, it is about the same (6.5-7). I think the problem might be the filter not being cleaned? I bought it at the start of the year and havent cleaned it since? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted October 10, 2011 Report Share Posted October 10, 2011 If the filter has water running through it OK then leave it. They only need cleaning if the flow is substantially reduced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
si_sphinx Posted October 10, 2011 Report Share Posted October 10, 2011 Chuck an airstone in there and see if it helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanjury Posted October 10, 2011 Report Share Posted October 10, 2011 Is there any plants? I believe they do some reverse photosynthesis at night, so take in oxygen and expel carbon dioxide. If so there may be a lack of oxygen. Or maybe the temperature is too high? Water at higher temperature holds less oxygen than water at lower temperatures. HTH What is the temp? Either way water changes are your friend do them multiple times a day 25% at a time (more if you can do some reasonably matched water.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris b Posted October 11, 2011 Report Share Posted October 11, 2011 What is the no3 and no2? and do an ammonia test if you can. If it was mine id be cleaning the filter out but use tank water to clean not tap water. i had the same problem about a year ago and after cleaning filters it came right i'm no expert but that's were i would start Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwiplymouth Posted October 11, 2011 Report Share Posted October 11, 2011 As Ryan said, water changes are your friend. Before you test anything or do anything else, do a minimum 30% water change Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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