Steps to take when fauna are dying

[Blaze88]

Hi bros.

I need your help, last few days, i have found that my fishes are dying one my one. though there is no apparent reason that could be killing them. They would be happily chasing after food one day and be floating on the next day.

Another observation i saw was that my yamotoes were the first to go, though for the yamatoes, i could see that they begin to lose their ability to swim or move properly before they die.

So far i have did twice 50% water change on different days but the death still continued today. Any bros could advice on the next steps to take?

Tank specs:

size:2ft tank
Filter: Eden 501
Temp: 25-27degrees(fan)
Light: 2X24 T5s
Moderately planted.
no CO2.

Plants appear to be thriving while my fauna are dying.

Pls advice bros

[stormhawk]

Please state how many fish you have, the species in question and whether they were any visible symptoms on the animals when they died.

Check your pH, nitrate, nitrite and ammonia levels as well, if you have the test kits available.

[Blaze88]

The fishes that were casualties were:

5 cardinal tetras out of 11
2 guppies out of 2
2 otos out of 2
1 Holland ram out of 2
4 yamatoes out of 2

pH was was at 7.

I have not tested the ammonium and nitrate levels as i never purchased the kit,
thinking that a well planted tank is unlikely to have ammonium poisoning.

The tank has been running well for 6 months before encountering this tragedy

[stormhawk]

I do believe your tank was close to overstocking. The Eden 501 is alright for a moderately stocked 2 ft tank, however yours was 90% stocked. It is possible that something happened in the tank, maybe during a water change or something, that killed your fish. Or perhaps it was the food. Could you tell me what you were feeding them?

pH 7 is not what cardinals are accustomed to. A lower pH around 6 would be better for them IMO. That however does not suit guppies, which prefer neutral to alkaline pH.

As for test kits, they are invaluable in helping you to check whether your tank is in optimum shape or not. Even planted tank hobbyists will have test kits handy, just in case.

[Blaze88]

Im feeding them Tetra Pro Colour,

I guess one the possibilities might be too much rotting food. Since my cousin kinda overfed them several times lately. and the filter couldn't cope with it. And i have to agree, EDEN 501 kinda lose its power after a few months, its weaker then when i have just bought it.

thinking of removing all the fauna and water and filling it with fresh water and left to stabilize for a week. Think that would help?

[genes]

Add a more efficient filter. The higher the capacity the better. Best are those that are able to control the flow rate so you do not turn your tank into a washing machine.

[stormhawk]

Yes your problem is basically due to overfeeding. I do not give my fish more than what they can finish within that round. As for the Eden 501, you have to keep it clean and do more water changes to help out. Do not remove all the water, under any circumstances. You can try a 20-25% water change for now.

[Blue Whale]

Hi Blaze,

1. How old is your cousin? Do you educate your cousin to feed the fish once a day?
2. Do you maintain your filter every 3 days or so?

Usually for the 2ft (like mine), I have to be very diligent in maint. since I am using an internal filter every 3-4 days or so on average. For my current setup, one of the headaches is always not to increase the feeding cycles. Instead I just feed either morning or night. This way you keep your fish hungry and they will manage to eat once and for all. If you overfeed, the fish can't finish the food, the tank gets dirty and polluted over time, any filter would not be helpful then. My niece is 3 yrs. old. I do educate her to feed only once a day and even teach her how to do tapping of micro pellets to control the feed. =) She is clever and learn fast.

Meantime, do step up your maintenance effort. I think you will do just fine.

[Blaze88]

Hmm, well my cousin is 12, but he was over for a few days only so i just let him have fun feeding the fishes.

Every three days? that may be the problem i guess. i only maintain mine once a week. Im seriously considering to change my Eden501 to some other filters. or perhaps 2 Hang over back filters? the flow these days is getting really weak. I'm also considering to get a power head to pump the water instead, is that feasible? I would just have to remove the Eden501 impeller right?

[sthh]

I think you are experience a nitrate spike as well as rotting food in your substrate. You may want to quickly siphon your substrate to get rid of those rotting food. Try not to stir too much.
A water change everyday is definitely necessary, until your nitrate level is low again.

[Blaze88]

Okay will do that.

Another problem just popped up. I found that my remaining holland ram now currently have white spots on him, so i was going to treat it with the ich medication however would it affect the shrimps and bumblebee snails?(i think i left the snails out of the prev list)

Or would it be better to remove the ram to treat it ?

Sigh, im guessing the stress from the water reducing their immunity

[Blaze88]

Okay will do that.

Another problem just popped up. I found that my remaining holland ram now currently have white spots on him, so i was going to treat it with the ich medication however would it affect the shrimps and bumblebee snails?(i think i left the snails out of the prev list)

Or would it be better to remove the ram to treat it ?

Sigh, im guessing the stress from the water reducing their immunity

[sthh]

Fishes sometimes get attacked by ich when their immune system is down or when they are stressed. You will need to remove your Ram to a hospital tank, because the ich treatment is going to take some time and your shrimp may be affected.

[Blue Whale]

This is what I do. I suck about 50% to 60% water out. Dumped.

(My normal water change routine - 3~4days cycle)
I will need to add about 3 pails of water (Non-standard pail).
1st pail. Dechlorine half cap + OceanFree Blue med + Salt + Bicarbonate of Soda.
2nd pail. Dechlorine 1/4 cap + nutrients dosing.
3rd pail. Dechlorine or no dechlorine, lesser salt.
Subsequent pail if needed, no more dechlorination or other stuffs as the amount presence now in the tank is sufficient to neuralise the tap water, no aging.

So far no fish got sick. Now I dose blue med as precaution steps but not heavy dosage. Salt is added also. No hydra whatsoever detected, just have to becareful with the 2nd pail or I will get algae boom.

[Fuzzy]

I'd recommend considering an eheim canister with flow rate around 500 L/hr to 900 L/hr if you're intending to stock fairly high bioloads in a 2ft tank.

[bossteck]

Back to the topic...

What I do when fishes are not doing well...

Run an air stone, throw in my emergency pack of activated carbon.
Do moderate amount of water change, 20% - 30% while adding water conditioner.

That's all.

Don't panic and do large water changes or worse, several large percentage water changes in hope of getting rid of whatever toxins is in the water, instead, let the carbon take care of it.

And don't be in a hurry to dose any medication until you're certain of what is causing the problem.

Number 1 priority should be to reduce the stress among the survivors.

That's my method.

[stormhawk]

On the topic of carbon, perhaps using Seachem Purigen might be better. It darkens as it absorbs more pollutants.

http://www.seachem.com/Products/prod...s/Purigen.html

You can use it together with activated carbon for better efficiency.

[Fuzzy]

Poly Filter might be a good addition also

[Blue Whale]

Blaze,

So in Summary. Do your water change and get the Ocean Free White Spot special. I have attached the link here.
http://www.qianhu.com/qianhu/product...te3.asp?id=919

You do not have to get the big one. The small one is sold $0.90 to $1.10 or so. Sold in most LFS, should have a problem getting yourself a bottle or two.

[bossteck]

I have never used Seachem Purigen before, will be getting some on standby.