HELP_water chemistry good/fish dying/System 1 Filter leaking/green water

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voog

Registered Member
Feb 15, 2007
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Hello, I'm new to fish keeping and am having a lot of problems, despite doing weekly water changes (sometimes more), etc...

I just got a System 1 Filter and I just can't get it to stop leaking, and it leaks a LOT! I haven't been able to use it yet and will most likely have to bring it in PetSmart so that they can look at it or return it.

I have a Green water problem (this is why I got the Syztem1 filter) and nothing works to get rid of it. 2 of my fish already died (don't know why still) and the remaining one seemed fine, but now I'm noticing 2 very small white spots (sort of looks velvety, cotton like growths). I have a 30 Gallon Tank. I had 2 Orandas and 1 Telescopic Goldfish, now I am left with only 1 Oranda. The 2 other goldfish died of what looked like dropsy and they also had black spots (which indicates something is toxic I believe). I bought the System1 Filter in an attempt to clear the Green water and whatever is making the fish sick. I test the water with the complete master water test kit and everything seems fine (ammonia, PH, Nitrite & Nitrate). I just took out my last fish out of the 30 Gallon and put him temporarily in only a 2 gallon until I figure out what to do. I'm considering resetting and cleaning out the whole tank again. I bought the tank in November 2006. I did a major cleaning about 3 weeks ago, where I dissassembled it, cleaned the decorations and the aquarium glass, used the same old gravel and cleaned the Penguin Power filter (not all the parts)--at that time, the green water came back within 2 weeks and my second fish died. I'm thinking about doing that again, this time even more thoroughly, getting new gravel, etc...

Any idea what I'm doing wrong or what I should do?
 
By "good" water params, what do you mean? Do you have the actual numbers? Is the tank cycled? You might have gone through a mini-cycle when you broke the tank down and cleaned out the entire filter.
 
As a quick fix, you create a 'blackout' for a few days. Basicly cover your whole tank and switch lights off, preventing light coming in and stopping the algae from photosynthesing (plants too if you have any)

But you need to address the cause - check for phosphates too.
 
sploke said:
By "good" water params, what do you mean? Do you have the actual numbers? Is the tank cycled? You might have gone through a mini-cycle when you broke the tank down and cleaned out the entire filter.
Click to expand...

By good, I mean 0 ammonia, 0 Nitrites, 0 Nitrates, and PH between 7.2 and 7.5

I thought the tank was cycled yes.
 
pugwash said:
As a quick fix, you create a 'blackout' for a few days. Basicly cover your whole tank and switch lights off, preventing light coming in and stopping the algae from photosynthesing (plants too if you have any)

But you need to address the cause - check for phosphates too.
Click to expand...

yes that is an option. But would the Green water really be the culprit for the fish getting sick?

I will get some product to check the phosphates when I go to PetSmart tomorrow. Are phosphates bad for the fish or just good for the algea?

thanks.
 
voog said:
By good, I mean 0 ammonia, 0 Nitrites, 0 Nitrates, and PH between 7.2 and 7.5

I thought the tank was cycled yes.
Click to expand...

with 0 for ammonia nitrates or nitrites your tank isnt cycled. what kind of test are you using?


Green unicellular algae will sometimes reproduce so rapidly that the water will turn green. This is commonly called an "algae bloom" and is usually caused by too much light like direct sunlight. An algae bloom can be removed by filtering with micron cartridges or diatom filters. UV sterilizers can prevent the bloom in the first place. Green water is very useful in the raising of daphnia and brine shrimp. Film algae Grows on the aquarium glass and forms a thin haze. Easily removed by wiping the glass. Considered normal with the higher light levels needed for good plant growth.
http://www.plantgeek.net/article_viewer.php?id=9
 
In my experience, goldfish love algea,greenwater (long story) so I'd say something else is making them sick.

If you have been putting "stuff" in the tank to get rid of the green water, perhaps that hurt the fish, Or destroyed the bacteria and ammonia or nitrites stressed the fish.
My thinking is that fish dont easily succumb to disease uness something stresses them badly first.
Is the tank in a window by any chance?
I don't like the idea of you breaking down and cleaning the tank. It stresses the fish and is very likely to damage your beneficial bacteria leading to ammonia, nitrite etc.
I can't advise about treating for specific illnesses.
I suggest a blackout for the greenwater if it bothers you, and adding some java fern or java moss to compete with the algae for nutrients.(rinse them well in dechlorinated water before adding them to the tank)
I also suggest testing for ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates daily for a bit to see whats going on. 0 ammonia/nitrites is good, 0 Nitrates is odd, depending on when you tested. You should see nitrates say right b4 your weekly water change.
Also, post what medications, treatments you have added to the tank.
I'd say keep posting info, and reading, and people here will be able to help you sort it out.
 
OK. In the past, I have used Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Algea Destroyer Advanced (a few doses :O) and later "Jungle no more algea - tank buddies", mind you neither worked.

I have used ammonia clear and fungus clear (tank buddies) at some point.

The aquarium is near a window (facing south), I live in a studio Loft with huge windows facing South. I will take out the water this weekend and relocate the tank where it doesn't get direct sunlight. I also added a vynil background behind the tank. I have limited the lighting the last few days and the green water has diminished. I assume relocating the tank should solve this problem.

I'm confused because after I reset the tank, the fish looked really happy and active, but after 2 weeks, the green water was back and one fish got sick and died. I had not used and chemicals in the water this time to get rid of the algea bloom.

I just tested the water again, using "Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Freshwater Master Test Kit:

Ammonia: between 0 and .1 ppm
Nitrate: looks like 5 ppm
Nitrites: 0
PH: between 7.2 and 7.5

My last fish has 3 tiny white spots on his head. The spots don't look like ich, they look more like little cotton wooly spots, but are very small. This fish is currently is a small 2 Gallon Tank and I put a dose of Fungus clear and Ammonia clear since the ammonia in this small tank was 0.5 ppm

I'm going to return the System1 Pressure Filter that I bought this weekend because it leaks like crazy.

I'm doing all I can and spending a considerable amount of money trying to keep the fish happy and the water quality good... I still don't know why they keep getting sick. Could it be just the stress from change in water condition?

thanks.
 
I think moving the tank will help you a lot because you will then no longer be adding chemicals to fight the algae.
Sorry about the leaking filter, I am sure that didnt help at all.
Near the window there may have been temperature swings going on that also would stress the fish. In my fairly limited experience with bottled chemicals and medicines, they also stress the fish. Once this cycle of illness/chemicals starts It is hard to stop. Dealing with fish illnesses is IMO rather advanced stuff, contrary to what the manufacurers of fishmeds would have you beleive. Not easy for a beginner at all.
So now you have a sick fish and an empty aquarium. Is there a filter and heater on the two gallon?
To reduce ammonia I recommend partial wate rchanges as frequently as necessary, and SKip the ammodown stuff.

Here is what I would do: set up the big tank in new location asap.
I would put new filter media in the penguin just because i would be concerned about the history of pathogens and chemicals. (Others may find this to be unecessary) That leaves you with a non cycled tank. Your options are then to Aget media from a truly trustworthy established aquarium, or B
buy and use Biospira. ( do a forum search on it) Then you have a reasonable sized place to treat the fish for its fungus.
I Do Not Know what effect the fungus treatment will have on the tank or if it is even the best course.
You might ask specifically about treating orandas for fungus.
Good Luck, I think the light at the end of the tunnel is in sight.
 
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