Over-taxed fish? Help

I won't comment on the stocking since you're aware of the issue. How often and how thorough do you gravel vac the substrate? Big fish like that have gigantic poop. My lone jag who is still a juvie produces big enough poo that weekly gravel vacs are necessary. I wonder if the powerhead stirred up a lot of crap in the substrate, making the water toxic and decreasing oxygen levels. I'd run more aeration and do water changes until the problem resolves (would also deeply gravel vac and change water weekly once you get the issue resolved).
 
Lab_Rat said:
I won't comment on the stocking since you're aware of the issue. How often and how thorough do you gravel vac the substrate? Big fish like that have gigantic poop. My lone jag who is still a juvie produces big enough poo that weekly gravel vacs are necessary. I wonder if the powerhead stirred up a lot of crap in the substrate, making the water toxic and decreasing oxygen levels. I'd run more aeration and do water changes until the problem resolves (would also deeply gravel vac and change water weekly once you get the issue resolved).
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+1 was thinking the same thing myself. Wonder if more toxic stuff got stirred up with the powerhead. I would leave it off and do water changes as often as needed. Maybe try to get a diffuser and see if you can get more O2 into the water would be my only suggestion. Sorry :(
 
I was thinking same as sublux and labrat. Powerhead probably threw a whole lot of stuff around. I agree you prob need more oxygen in there. I would just try an airstone though. Maybe you could get some of those big rubbermaid totes to put a couple of the fish in until you can work out a tank. Where r u located?
 
Numbers (water chemistry) are good and more specifics. Low pH doesn't say much. And it's due to a "misdose?" Of what exactly? Something ruptured in your Parrot? What is the time frame of all this happening? What is your water params before and after water change? You said depending on conditions so I assume you track your chem.

Are you certain that the only change you made was the addition of the powerhead? Did you make sure to rinse all the pieces in hot tap water before putting it into the tank? Did you happen to knock a heater around while you were adding the powerhead and possibly crack it?

More details will help put the pieces together. Some mentioned the powerhead stirring up gunk. Maybe there was an anaerobic pocket that got stirred up. Did the tank smell at all?

the power head might be a bit strong for that sized tank. I probably would have gone with a 600, but I don't think it should have over-taxed the fish. More circulation should in theory make them "feel" less cramped and could be run non-stop.
 
I am pretty sure that unless you not feeding the fish or have a jungle of live plants your nitrates will be out the roof in that size tank with that many fish even the eheim would not be able to keep up for that long. Anyway the Parrots are probably lacking oxygen from the water being foul. I would up the water changes to 25% every other day...seriously. Your ph is being effected not because of a misdose it is a sign that your water conditions cant stay stable because of the bacteria always trying to catch up or stay caught up most likely. It is hard to get rid of fish that size but that is also no way to keep them. Imagine 4 rottweilers, a pittbull and a bulldog in a 300sqft. studio apt. Ask yourself would they still be happy, likely, but for how long? Same scenario with your tank full of fish. The best option sense you cant afford a large tank is start selling some fish, but meanwhile try and get another 55g temporary on craigslist or something, you can probably get one for 100-200 dollars topps which would help the fish and you out a lot. Anyway just throwing some options at you, best of luck and seriously consider 25% water changes every other day...thats what is in the best interest of the fish in my opinion.
 
I'm with mostlycichlids, I too am wondering about the nitrates? In a very lightly stocked, very heavy planted aquarium, the lowest I've read you can get the nitrates is below 5pmm. I have plants, do every 2-3 day 20% water changes, and my nitrates are still high (either 40 or 80 can't tell with that stupid kit) What were the exact numbers?

But as for the fish gasping for breath, they only do that when the water quality is very poor, not because they are tired. Test the levels again, and post the exact numbers :)
 
you have WAY too many fish in your tank. oscars should have at LEAST a 30g tank and that would be for ONE oscar. a 55g would be okay for maybe 2 oscars but 7 fish in a 55g tank for those kind of fish are way to many.
 
CerenaDaft said:
you have WAY too many fish in your tank. oscars should have at LEAST a 30g tank and that would be for ONE oscar. a 55g would be okay for maybe 2 oscars but 7 fish in a 55g tank for those kind of fish are way to many.
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ummm oscars need a min of 75 for one...... two will MAYBE do in a 125.... dont know where you got this about oscars doing fine in a 30G and two in 55... the two BP like others said would be stocked in a 55....
 
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