Fish Die-Off

[tackful]

Hi All,
After 15+ years of fishkeeping in my planted 2 gal tank, finally had a disaster, Hours after a 75% WC, all the tetras were dead on the bottom. Checked for ammonia, test read 0.
I added 1 1/2 capfuls of Prime prior to adding the new water (very slowly), then afterwards added 1 tbsp of AlgaeFix and 2 capfuls of Excel. Also lightly dosed ferts. I have been going heavy on the Prime for as long as I've had the tank, usually dosing a full capful for only a 50% WC. Also cleaned out the cannister filter using old tank water. One last thing: installed a new, magnetic in-tank thermometer at the same time.
Does anything stand out as a possible reason for killing all the fish?

 

[fishorama]

I hope that's a typo, a 2 gallon tank? That's a lot of additives. I use a capful of Prime or Excel in a 75g.

 

[tackful]

I hope that's a typo, a 2 gallon tank? That's a lot of additives. I use a capful of Prime or Excel in a 75g.

Yes, that would explain a lot. It's a 29 gal, as you probably guessed.

 

[fishorama]

In addition to a lot of additives, I'm wondering why you use both Excel & Algae fix. I've never used Algae Fix & I know it's different than Excel but aren't they both used for help with algae? Was this extra high dosing because of the dead fish or your usual amounts?

As for your tetra die off, I'm sorry it happened. It could be your water co. "flushed" the lines or had some seasonal issue. Are you on a well? Extra high heat & old fish? Just guessing...

How often do you do water changes? Is 75% your usual? Sometimes we do extra large amounts in a fit of guilt over neglect or fish deaths. If your nitrate was very high, too much at 1 time can cause osmotic shock (pH shock of old). Plants help with nitrate if you have a lot of them. Ok, I rarely test, most of my tanks, like yours, have been running for many years. But something to keep in mind.

Don't be in a hurry to replace the fish. Test tank & tap for a while & wait a few weeks for stabilizing.

 

[tackful]

In addition to a lot of additives, I'm wondering why you use both Excel & Algae fix. I've never used Algae Fix & I know it's different than Excel but aren't they both used for help with algae? Was this extra high dosing because of the dead fish or your usual amounts?

As for your tetra die off, I'm sorry it happened. It could be your water co. "flushed" the lines or had some seasonal issue. Are you on a well? Extra high heat & old fish? Just guessing...

How often do you do water changes? Is 75% your usual? Sometimes we do extra large amounts in a fit of guilt over neglect or fish deaths. If your nitrate was very high, too much at 1 time can cause osmotic shock (pH shock of old). Plants help with nitrate if you have a lot of them. Ok, I rarely test, most of my tanks, like yours, have been running for many years. But something to keep in mind.

Don't be in a hurry to replace the fish. Test tank & tap for a while & wait a few weeks for stabilizing.

My usual WC is 50% weekly .Went for a bit more this time because I saw a hint of greenish water. Excel was just for my plants (wisteria), but I get your point about maybe not needing Algae Fix as well.
We have had a series of very hot days out here in the San Francisco area lately. Could that have effected the water? Do not have a well. This time of the year a lot of it comes from the Russian River., the rest from dammed lakes on the local mountain. I have a thermometer in the hose during WC's, so I'm sure the temperature was OK. The 75% water is replaced slowly, over almost a half hour.

 

[FishAddict74]

Hi All,
After 15+ years of fishkeeping in my planted 2 gal tank, finally had a disaster, Hours after a 75% WC, all the tetras were dead on the bottom. Checked for ammonia, test read 0.
I added 1 1/2 capfuls of Prime prior to adding the new water (very slowly), then afterwards added 1 tbsp of AlgaeFix and 2 capfuls of Excel. Also lightly dosed ferts. I have been going heavy on the Prime for as long as I've had the tank, usually dosing a full capful for only a 50% WC. Also cleaned out the cannister filter using old tank water. One last thing: installed a new, magnetic in-tank thermometer at the same time.
Does anything stand out as a possible reason for killing all the fish?

I capful of prime e treats 50-100g depending on which bottle

 

[fishorama]

Oh, I'm near SF too. Everyone loves the soft SF area water for plant & fish (breeding?) happiness. But not all of our area water systems are as wonderful. Concord near me has a different water source & is very different than mine. Much harder... Like I said, I'm a lame tester unless something goes wrong.

I have Walnut Creek EBMUD water. It's been HOT here!! Low TDS (total dissolved solids) ~72ppm last I checked. You may have that too, but some places near us don't. I only check the annual water report or test if something goes askew...but it can go wrong compared to what you might be used to.

Feel free to pm me if you want to discuss local issues or anything else. I think I've invited you to my plant club meets (SFBAAPS). SFAS is too far & late for me unless my carpool friend drives (yep, old & lame, lol).

 

[tackful]

Oh, I'm near SF too. Everyone loves the soft SF area water for plant & fish (breeding?) happiness. But not all of our area water systems are as wonderful. Concord near me has a different water source & is very different than mine. Much harder... Like I said, I'm a lame tester unless something goes wrong.

I have Walnut Creek EBMUD water. It's been HOT here!! Low TDS (total dissolved solids) ~72ppm last I checked. You may have that too, but some places near us don't. I only check the annual water report or test if something goes askew...but it can go wrong compared to what you might be used to.

Feel free to pm me if you want to discuss local issues or anything else. I think I've invited you to my plant club meets (SFBAAPS). SFAS is too far & late for me unless my carpool friend drives (yep, old & lame, lol).

Am starting to think that the combination of AquaFix and Excel in those quantities was very unwise. Just started using the Excel as I transition to a low light, low tech tank without pressurized C02. Got tired of having to trim and replant the whole tank every month.
I remember attending a SFBAAPS meeting in the East Bay many years ago. As I recall, the members were very experienced and knowledgable.

 

[fishorama]

I think you're right about that. If algae is a chronic problem maybe try reducing ferts (I mostly use root tabs), light time (I do ~6 hours or so). Do you have more intense lighting than you might need now from your more high tech plant days? You can also try to split the light in 2 intervals. I keep meaning to try that, it works for some people. Of course you'd like to see into your tank when you're home. It's been hard to get my husband to understand just because he's up the tank lights don't need to be on, lol. A retirement learning curve 1 tank seems to be a different time zone it doesn't come on when the others do & stays on past our bedtime. I need to fix that 1 day.

I also have high unshaded windows that, at certain times of year, may allow a little sun on 1 end of different tanks for a short while. Only 10-15 minutes or so but it does help the algae to grow...

As for my plant club, I'm among the "no techiest" & laziest. The only reason I have 2 types of stem plants now is because I took pity leftovers of what I know are 1s I can grow...too well...& so can everybody. They may be compost if we don't again meet soon. I have gotten many cool plants to try. I love crypts, so pretty & so many types. They are my addiction! But I've also killed many plants too. "Just try it" is almost a club motto.

Can I interest you in some baby swords (amazonas I think, the big plain kind) or accidental baby bn plecos (tempting eyebrow wiggle)?

As I said before, do lots of water changes for a good while to get rid of your excess additives. Do you have fish that survived the tetra die off? It's amazing what some fish can live through, but wait for new fish.

Let us know how you get on. Good luck!