I need soooo much help!
- Thread starter Tinajo
- Start date
As for the placement of the tank, no it's not near any fumes or air fresheners.
The driftwood was retrieved from the wild. But it's the same piece that's been in there since the beginning (approx. 3 years ago). Again, I'm so ignorant, I didn't think about "curing" it! Wouldn't the fact that it's been there for 3 years make a difference?
I don't doubt the pH product was a really bad idea, but-
I added it on Tuesday afternoon. I had fish dying for a week or two before I started messing with it.
It's 4:30Am here, and they made it through the night.... :coffee:
The driftwood was retrieved from the wild. But it's the same piece that's been in there since the beginning (approx. 3 years ago). Again, I'm so ignorant, I didn't think about "curing" it! Wouldn't the fact that it's been there for 3 years make a difference?
I don't doubt the pH product was a really bad idea, but-
I added it on Tuesday afternoon. I had fish dying for a week or two before I started messing with it.
It's 4:30Am here, and they made it through the night.... :coffee:
Get us readings on your tap water, and a set or readings on your tank right now. Continue with twice daily water changes at 10%, using your conditioner, no pH buffers. Continue with the gravel vac at each water change.
Feed lightly, once a day, every other day. We need to get the tank conditions as close to your tap water as possible for future consistently, but this needs to be done slowly. Besides the possible onset or exsistence of OTS, you have this pH shifting by chemicals going on. If you lose all your fish, and you may, before you get this under control, other corrective things will come into play.
Please get those readings for us.
Feed lightly, once a day, every other day. We need to get the tank conditions as close to your tap water as possible for future consistently, but this needs to be done slowly. Besides the possible onset or exsistence of OTS, you have this pH shifting by chemicals going on. If you lose all your fish, and you may, before you get this under control, other corrective things will come into play.
Please get those readings for us.
The replacement water (from the tap) tested at these levels:
pH 7.4
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10
Ammonia 0
I just came home to change clothes and I'm out the door again. I will retest the tank conditions this evening and post again.
Thanks to all who are following the saga and helping me! :clap:
Oh! and guess what! While doing a water change this morning, I found at least 8 platy fry!!! I know they will probably die or get eaten, but it's just so nice to see "new life" amidst all the loss of recent fish!
pH 7.4
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10
Ammonia 0
I just came home to change clothes and I'm out the door again. I will retest the tank conditions this evening and post again.
Thanks to all who are following the saga and helping me! :clap:
Oh! and guess what! While doing a water change this morning, I found at least 8 platy fry!!! I know they will probably die or get eaten, but it's just so nice to see "new life" amidst all the loss of recent fish!
Alright the measurements were:
pH 7.8
Nitrites 0
Nitrates 10
Ammonia 0
How long do I continue with the 10% WC twice a day?
All of the fish are still alive and look good.
pH 7.8
Nitrites 0
Nitrates 10
Ammonia 0
How long do I continue with the 10% WC twice a day?
All of the fish are still alive and look good.
OTS normally ocurs in tanks where there is little tank maintenance going on...
Few if any regular water changes, usually just topping off the tank due to evaporation losses.
No or infrequent cleaning of the substrate by gravel vacuuming.
The fish adjust to the poor water conditions untill the ammonia or nitrite levels get high enough to kill them. Changing the water parameters back to quickly will also kill them. New fish being introduced usually die right away since they haven't adjusted to the out of whack conditions.
Here is an article...
http://www.thepufferforum.com/articles/small/ots.html
I would say you could cut back to once a day if your readings stay where they currently are and your water is running clear on your vacs. If it maintains that way for a week, reduce down to about every third day, then 25% once a week. No new fish until you are on a weekly schedule and stabilized. And only a couple at a time. Allow your tank to adjust to the new load.
Few if any regular water changes, usually just topping off the tank due to evaporation losses.
No or infrequent cleaning of the substrate by gravel vacuuming.
The fish adjust to the poor water conditions untill the ammonia or nitrite levels get high enough to kill them. Changing the water parameters back to quickly will also kill them. New fish being introduced usually die right away since they haven't adjusted to the out of whack conditions.
Here is an article...
http://www.thepufferforum.com/articles/small/ots.html
I would say you could cut back to once a day if your readings stay where they currently are and your water is running clear on your vacs. If it maintains that way for a week, reduce down to about every third day, then 25% once a week. No new fish until you are on a weekly schedule and stabilized. And only a couple at a time. Allow your tank to adjust to the new load.
Thank you, that is exactly what I needed to know. I had read the article on OTS and found it very helpful. I am truly appreciative of everyone's help! I think I am back on track and will continue with your recommendations.
