Filter, and fish question...!

[Zastrus]

I have a few questions...

First is about changing the filter on my aquarium, I don't have a biowheel filter, just a regular filter.. It was those tanks that comes in a package that has everything already.. from Wal-Mart. (I know, I know. )

I read on here that you don't really need to change the filter on the tank, just kind of "swish" it around in some (de-chlorinated) water, and just pick off the gunk that accumulates on it with your fingers. I've also read from searches on g00gle, that it's ok to change the filter once a month.

1.) Doesn't changing out the filter sort of 'reset' the tank to where it has to cycle again?

Next is about a platy I've had for a few months, at least 4-5 months. At first it would swim at the top of the tank, and now it just rests on the bottom of the tank. And it also keeps it's fins against it's body, contracted. If it tries to swim, it swims clumily, again with it's fins contracted.. kind of waddles. (If you can picture that.)

This is the 2nd day treating with Melafix. I was using Melafix as a precautionary, because I had just lost a guppy to fin rot/other fish harassment about a week ago, also because this guy started acting strange.

2.) Any ideas what could be wrong? All it's fins look fine..

Thanks for reading.

 

[Zastrus]

Well uh, I just came back to see how the fish was doin... and.. it's gone. :<

All the other fish are fine, lively and active. Tetras are fine.

Maybe it was just old?

Should I continue Melafix treatment?

 

[Dangerdoll]

Welcome to the boards

About your filters, you will be fine with swishing the filter padding in tank water that has just been removed from the tank for a water change. You can do this once a month, even every 2 weeks if you want. It's important though to use the tank water or dechlorinated water though. Using water straight from the tap for city folks wilk kill any beneficial bacteria you have in there. When I had a hang on filter, I wouldn't replace that pad until that thing was so raggedy and falling apart. Changing the filter pad for the tank might not start a brand new cycle but might start a small one.

As far as your fish, coulda been a host of things wrong with him so not really sure of it. What are your parameters like? What's your water schedule like?

 

[Zastrus]

BTW, I had just done a water change yesterday, and started Melafix after the waterchange.

Water stats are:
Ammonia 0
Nitrates ~5
Nitrites 0
pH 7.2-7.5

 

[Mgamer20o0]

1 its not reset but your throwing out a lot of your good bacteria. you might have a mini cycle.

 

[Shane Reynolds]

If your tank is not heavily-stocked, you will save yourself time and money by getting an AquaClear filter. The foam lasts a long time - I change mine once a quarter but that is just because I like an excuse to go to the fish store and spend money. The charcoal is cheap and lasts at least a month, and the BioMax bits will probably last a year before they smooth out. I've tried pretty much every filter on the market. If you don't mind spending some money, the new Rena SmartFilters are nice, but those refill pads are pricey (due to the Bio Chem Zorb). Supposedly, we will someday soon have a SmartHeater that will replace the intake tube on the SmartFilter so you have one less thing in your tank.

As for your conditions in the tank, I would try Melafix/Pimafix/ParaGuard to see if there are any critters in there. If one of those doesn't work, you might try CopperSafe and raising the temperature. I know what you have doesn't really sound like Ich, but I don't think any baddies like the copper and higher temp.

 

[Zastrus]

Mmk. I'm gonna continue the treatment for another day or so. I also raised the temp the day I started Melafix.. little guy still didn't make it. Weird.

Thanks for the help, everyone.