Almost done with 50% water change. Water tests will hafta wait, as I'm sure my test kit is long since expired, and thats assuming I can lay hands on it in the train wreck of my house.
I will go pickup a test kit today, but like Ger said, first things first. And first priority is to save the loaches!
Strange, I just did a WC 5 days ago and accidently knocked about a quarter bottle into my tank and within 3 days I had lost about 6 fish and had others gasping at the surface. This confirms for me that too much Prime was what did it as I have had those fish for about a year. Guess I have too be a little more careful.
Yes using extreme caution when using additives or meds is key. With me if its not in my hands then its sealed or else ide have a similiar story. Remember to much of a good thing is normally a bad thing.
Yes prime is a reducing agent that much added will significantly reduce the amount of o2 in the tank. I would do a large water change and add some air stones. Testing for ammonia,nitrites,and nitrates should not be necessary now. With that much prime added you should be reading 0.
Biggest clown loach didn't make it, but he was breathing heavily and not moving alot after the first day. 2nd 50% water change is about to begin.
thats a good idea about the air stone. I did take a spray bar off and made the water spout extra splashy, but will add the air stone from my hurricane kit.
This being such an established tank is what makes this really stink. All the victims were well over 5 years old, and everyone did fine during last year's hurricane.
a seachem rep had joined a recent thread exactly on prime overdosing. he said 5x's the dosage is safe which is what is written on the bottle - to detoxify nitritre in an emergency that is. btw - www.kensfish.com I found has the best prices for prime - in the large sizes!
so as everyone suggests - w/c is necessary & more air please. I think more air is the rule when adding anything!!
btw - I had used jungle's fizz tabs for tail rot in a 20gal. no warning on their packaging that should increase air/O2 circulation. because it's meds delivery system is CO2 based is reduced the amount of O2 that could be held in the water - needless to say my fish suffocated. & that's the symptoms you describe for your tank. so yes prime overdosing did reduce your O2.
