Fish scratching against tanks objects...

Master Zero

Master Zero

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Sep 5, 2005
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About two weeks ago, I did a water test and the results were really bad...everything was off the charts. So I have been doing small amounts of water changes every two days, trying to bring it back down. I noticed that a few of my fishes started to scratch themselves against tank objects...I though it might have been the ammonia levels in the water...but after a water test today, it showed that everything had gone down (which is a good thing). I also noticed that the ph level had dropped down dramatically. It went from 7.4 to 6.4, which is the lowest level on the chart. Could this be what’s bothering my fishes? I was suppose to perform a water change today...but not sure if I should. Here are the current readings...

Ammonia: 4.0
Nitrite: 2.0
PH: 6.4
Nitrate: 5.0

Should I go back to two water changes per week? Or should I continue doing water changes every two days (to continue bringing down the readings)?
 
Master Zero said:
About two weeks ago, I did a water test and the results were really bad...everything was off the charts. So I have been doing small amounts of water changes every two days, trying to bring it back down. I noticed that a few of my fishes started to scratch themselves against tank objects...I though it might have been the ammonia levels in the water...but after a water test today, it showed that everything had gone down (which is a good thing). I also noticed that the ph level had dropped down dramatically. It went from 7.4 to 6.4, which is the lowest level on the chart. Could this be what’s bothering my fishes? I was suppose to perform a water change today...but not sure if I should. Here are the current readings...

Ammonia: 4.0
Nitrite: 2.0
PH: 6.4
Nitrate: 5.0

Should I go back to two water changes per week? Or should I continue doing water changes every two days (to continue bringing down the readings)?
Click to expand...

With those readings you should be doing large water changes (50-75%) EVERY day. PH is the least of your worries right now IMO. What size tank, what fish, and what type of filter? The scratching against things is called flashing and is a sign of possible external parasites or Ich, but the fish will succumb to the ammonia and nitrite before any parasites I think.
 
i agree with above, quit the little water changes and aim for 50% or more every day until the ammonia comes down. while the pH difference will affect/stress fish, right now ur main worry is the ammonia.
 
The flashing started around the fourth water change, I doubt its parasites. It’s a huge 125 gallon and if I do a 50% water change, the chlorine in the tap water will get them. I do use stress coat to purify the water, but I have loss fish doing large water changes. I’ll try increasing the amount 30 percent.
 
Master Zero said:
The flashing started around the fourth water change, I doubt its parasites. It’s a huge 125 gallon and if I do a 50% water change, the chlorine in the tap water will get them. I do use stress coat to purify the water, but I have loss fish doing large water changes. I’ll try increasing the amount 30 percent.
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Use Prime (or Amquel+) and treat for the tank capacity. The Chlorine / Chloramine) should not be a factor then. I do 50% or greater changes every week on each tank with no ill effects. With Ammonia and Nitrite readings that high, the fish will truly die or be permanently damaged in short order. I'm not trying to be a downer here, but I really think you need to get those levels in check before you worry about additional details. How did you cycle this tank?
 
The tank has been up and running for almost a year...I sort of neglected maintaining the tank for a while, and now I must correct my mistake. I’ll try your remedy for the 50% water change. I hope it works...
 
Master Zero said:
The tank has been up and running for almost a year...I sort of neglected maintaining the tank for a while, and now I must correct my mistake. I’ll try your remedy for the 50% water change. I hope it works...
Click to expand...

Me too, I'm stressing for you and your fish. Make sure to do good gravel vacs with your PWCs (I had a brief Ammo spike and found some nasty stuff when I vacd thoroughly). Keep us updated and best of luck! Remember, the goal is Ammonia and Nitrite at 0.
 
If your tank has been very neglected too much change all at once can cause TDS shock (total dissolved solids) from Old Tank Syndrome. 10% daily water changes with gravel vacuuming will help GRADUALLY lower the levels.
Do not add any fish until nitrates are under control. Your fish have become used to the high levels, new fish will die. A healthy nitrAte level to aim for is 20ppm (40 at most).
 
fishorama said:
If your tank has been very neglected too much change all at once can cause TDS shock (total dissolved solids) from Old Tank Syndrome. 10% daily water changes with gravel vacuuming will help GRADUALLY lower the levels.
Do not add any fish until nitrates are under control. Your fish have become used to the high levels, new fish will die. A healthy nitrAte level to aim for is 20ppm (40 at most).
Click to expand...

I'd agree with this if it weren't for the ammonia and nitrite levels. They will definitely kill.
 
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