Best treatment for fish that's been living in bad water conditions?

[captmicha]

So due to my never ending health problems, I haven't been keeping up with my water changes and I haven't been able to get my larger tank yet. So in one tank, it's over stocked and under cleaned. (At least in my other tanks, they're understocked.)

I do have major over rated filtration on that tank to help make up for it but it only helps so much. I also know of and use Prime.

My platys are really suffering. I took one out that looked really bad and put it in yet another smaller tank where I'm going to keep the water really clean since it's easier than doing water changes every day on a bigger tank. I know not to shock it with suddenly perfect conditions.

I will try try try to do better with the water changes but the damage is done and I can't go back in time. So anyone telling me not to let it get that bad in the first place might as well just not enter into this thread and find one of the many other threads to offer their advice in instead.

What is the best treatment and/or medication for a fish that has been suffering from unhealthy doses of ammonia, nitrates and nitrites?

 

[RazzleFish]

I don't think you will need medications. If it is otherwise healthy, I think the best bet would be to acclimate it like you would a new fish and then just keep up on water changes from there.

I know what it's like to fall behind on a tank because life takes over, so good luck, hope everything works out!

 

[Dangerdoll]

the thing to keep in mind is that they have adapted to these conditions. If y9ou want to bring the tank back to snuff, start small...... don't go and throw in a huge water change to overcompensate the neglect because that will do nothing but cause problems. Start small... say 5-10% every 4 or 5 days.... then gradually bring it up to your regular 25% weekly or however much you do when performing regular optimum maintenance.

 

[platytudes]

An established tank rarely registers ammonia or nitrite, even when neglected. Nitrates may get sky high, but that's about it. If the tank is overpopulated (for example, a lot of growing livebearer fry) then the only thing to do is thin it, since neglect is less the issue...the lack of dilution of wastes due to an overwhelming biomass for the tank, is the primary problem.

Feed as little and lightly as you can (use more nori and veggies, such as peas or zucchini, since they are low in protein...it's possible you are getting intermittent ammonia and nitrite spikes after feeding) and use something like Tetra Easy Balance. It absorbs nitrate, and keeps pH steady which should help you in your situation. I remember you said you used homemade food...this is great, except it tends to be rich and polluting.

I know it is a no-no around here, but whatever...there is NOTHING wrong with using chemicals to help you manage water quality in the short term. Run carbon in your filters. Do one large water change on all your tanks a month, ask for help from someone if you need it. In the meantime, your fish will be ok with less food and some chemical media and/or additives. Tetra Easy Balance does work, just don't expect it to work the way it says (6 months with no water changes).

 

[BettaFishMommy]

Dangerdoll has it right on the money, start with small changes and work your way up so that you don't shock your fish with an instantly clean tank/big water change. that's about all you need to do, get the tank up to par and keep it there. medications and chemicals are not needed. clean your filter bit by bit (eg: one sponge one day, another sponge a week later, and so on). vac your gravel in portions (1/4 to 1/3 each water change) until your tank is back up to snuff.

 

[platytudes]

Medication is definitely not needed, but if you chronically neglect your tanks for whatever reason (even if that reason is depression...although for your own sake, get that checked out) I do not see the harm, and can see the benefit of, using chemical media and additives to help stabilize water quality.

Some are junk (I don't believe in Cycle or Stress Zyme for established tanks, it seems they are minimally effective even in new tanks) but some, such as the sludge removing types of additives, and nitrate absorbing chemicals and/or media, are helpful. Carbon is also useful, high grade kinds such as Chemi-Pure in particular. They are no substitute for maintenance, and ideally you should work out something manageable for yourself. However they are better than nothing, and definitely won't hurt anything.