is it time to break down my tank and euthanize?

angyles

angyles

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Nov 4, 2002
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I've been dealing with some major health issues in my tank for the last 4 months. It all started after I upgraded from my 55 to a 125. I rounded out all of my groups, and everything was good for the first 2 months. Then columnaris hit. I QT'd, treated with maracyn and maracyn II. The only fish affected were Diamond Tetras and Rosy Barbs. Treatments didn't seem to work, so I tried fungus cure (I know columaris is bacterial, but this contains actiflavin which was recomended...I was at a loss) I lost a few fish. Put the seemingly healthy ones back in. Few weeks later, my rosy barbs are looking not-so-hot, and a couple of my diamond tetras noses start turning blackish. At this same time I inherited an emerald cory. The cory, within 3 days, had a saddle back. Took her out, QTd her. I've now been treating my 125, and the cory in a 2g, with Nitrofurazone after reading some studies that showed it was more powerful against columnaris.

The cory is getting better.

My DTs noses are turning more black, one now has what looks like Pop Eye, and another one of my rosy barbs is showing some pale colored scales on her back. I'm on the final day of treatment.

I know this sounds terrible, but I'm thinking it might be neccesary to euthanize the remaining 3 rosy barbs, and 7 diamond tetras. All of them, at one point or another, have showed sickly symptoms. If this goes beyond them and affects my loaches, SAEs or gouramis, I'll be so upset :-( I think I need to break down the tank, kill off the sickly fish, and start over.

I'm looking for some advise...ANY advise. what would you guys do? I can't do any more meds. I'm doing daily water changes, my water params are perfect, I think that at some point, someone brought death to my tank and this is my last shot of saving the healthy ones.

SO, if I do this, what are the steps? I'm thinking all new substract, bleach EVERYTHING non-organic. I'm not sure what to do about the plants though (heavily planted)...
 
sounds like not a bad idea to break down and start all over. columnaris can be resistant to medications thanks to people not using the antibiotics properly.

im not trying to harp at you, i have no idea how you added fish to your tank, but this is why you should always always always always (i cant say it enough) qt new fish for several weeks before adding them to your primary tank
 
I know I need to QT going forward :-( The thing is, as I've mentioned in my other posts about this, the columnaris first reared it's head two years ago when I got the DTs. They all had fungusy mouths that I didn't notice at first. I treated with melafix, never went away, but never got worse. I had NO idea what it was until all of this started and I realized it. I know, how is that even possible huh? two years and no issues and now WHAM!
 
Its a tough decision but honestly. I would break it all down clean it let it dry a day or two. Then start your cycle over using seachem stability. You can cycle it in a week no gimmicks it worked like a charm for me. Best of luck sorry to hear about your troubles.
 
so inkyjenn and tcarswell, does that mean you would euthanize the RB's and DT's as well, or are there options I'm missing? The idea of it makes my stomach turn, but if I have to I have to.
 
I always keep a hospital and quarantine tank suited for the fish. But given your situation it appears it would save you and your fish a lot of pain and suffering to put them down and start new.
 
wait, QT new fish for several weeks before adding them? what if this is your first and only tank?

sorry, don't mean to hijack, but it was mentioned... >.>
 
deeleywoman said:
wait, QT new fish for several weeks before adding them? what if this is your first and only tank?

sorry, don't mean to hijack, but it was mentioned... >.>
Click to expand...


Thats the thing... if your gonna get into this hobby or any.. DO IT RIGHT

unfortunately for some.. the RIGHT way in this hobby is to quarantine fish before adding them to the tank. If you are in-capable of starting a QT tank up (can be a 10g even most of the time) then you really shouldnt be adding to your stock


now keep in mind that when FIRST starting a bran new tank... there is no fish in there yet-- so that first tank can serve as a "QT tank"... just make sure you dont add to the stock untill those first fish have been in there about a month-- and when you DO choose to add more stock-- they should be kept in a seperate QT tank.


keep in mind that this is the ideal, 100% correct way to do it by most hobbyists.... I have gotten away with not using a qt tank and have been lucky-- I didnt use one for 5 years and never had a problem... but then one time I did have a problem-- I lost my entire stock and had to start over... this incident made me realize the value of a QT tank


....

As far as the OPs question is concerned... I wouldnt look down upon you if you choose to euthanize and start over. Many would agree with you

personally that isnt the way I would go about it... I am always the type that will hold on untill the very end-- I would most likely keep treating untill they either got better or died... Not saying this is necessary or the "right" way-- but its my way lol

Also keep in mind that you might not wanna buy anything from that LFS for a while--- seems to me they may have a breakout they need to treat as well
 
okay so when I break down the tank, do I need to replace the substrate, or can I bleach it? that's a LOT of substrate to replace. Also, do I bleach the plants or should they be safe?
 
my initial thought upon reading all of this is that you need to quarantine for a much longer period than you already are. Once they look fine they may still have a problem and reintroducing them will only bring the problem back.

you may be doing that already and euthanizing might be the best route....anyway...best of luck with whatever route you go
 
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