So I was having a nice chat with the guy at the lfs (this is a good lfs, only deals with fish) because I've been having problems. One of the things he said was that I need to clean my undergravel filter about every other year (I never did and it's been set up for about 4 years). I have noticed a gazillion microscopic bubbles slowly rising to the top of the tank, never figured out why. He said some bad cases, people find jelly-like gunk on the bottom of the gravel plate. Stuff like that could all of a sudden kill off all the healthy fish, because the it's reached a deadly level. So, I did what he recommended. I stuck my gravel cleaner tube (sans head) tightly into the undergravel rigid tubing (with head removed) and the water which came out (which he said should be nasty) is really quite clean (I clean my tank 20% 2x/week). So now what ? He says most people don't use undergravel filters anymore. Does that mean my 40g can survive on just 1 biowheel penguin 330? I'm tempted to take up the undergravel filters part by part but will that stir up bad gasses that'll be too much for my fish ?
Problems:
1. 1 new M molly, intro last week, started out agressive (so I put him in breeder trap for 2 days, released him, was tamer but did still chase a couple fish for another day, ate voraciously, very active) but is now hiding and acting weird (vertical walking on nose); not eating much if any at all.
2. F molly, premature labor a few days ago, really weak still, eats little, walks around on tail at about 45-75 degree angle. Very strange spine curvature. Did she break something ? Lfs store guy said he had one like that before who never recovered its 'posture' but lived for 2 years more. She developed a white cottony spot on tail a few days ago.
3. Old goldfish fraying tail bloody edges started at same time as cottony spot. (I know they're not compatible w/ the mollies now. Didn't know before. Gonna get new 20g tank for her)
What I've done:
1. 8 tsp aquarium salt currently in water (40g).
2. 2 days ago, took out filter catridge w/ carbon & used parasite clear (i know, i panicked and it was the only thing i had in my old fish junk box) and it was close to midnight. never again.) cottony spot smaller nx day, now all gone. Goldfish fraying tail stopped deteriorating. Bloody streaks shrinking.
3. I changed 25% of water yesterday AM. Put biowheel filter catridges back in.
4. After speaking with lfs guy, I cleaned undergravel filters (all 4) at about midnight last night. That caused about another 30-35% water change. Replaced salt, dechlorinator and used Pimafix (smelly stuff). Took carbon cartridges out.
Q:
1. Did I kill off all good bacteria ? Will the cycle start anew and harm current fish ? Will the bacteria on the filter catridge die off if not in tank for as long as 1 week, if that's how long it needs to treat with Pimafix? I got Melafix too.
2. Goldfish looks great (she's about 4-5 years old, went from 1-2" when bought to 6" (8-9" with tail). Lfs says she may just be old and more susceptible to illness.
3. If the cottony fungal spot is gone and goldfish tail stopped fraying, can I stop treatment now ?
4. M molly is hiding, not eating, not active. Vertcle nose down. Any ideas ?
Oh yea, lfs tested my water. Everything in normal range. Nitrate and ph is in high end of normal which he says is ok if I keep up water change.
Problems:
1. 1 new M molly, intro last week, started out agressive (so I put him in breeder trap for 2 days, released him, was tamer but did still chase a couple fish for another day, ate voraciously, very active) but is now hiding and acting weird (vertical walking on nose); not eating much if any at all.
2. F molly, premature labor a few days ago, really weak still, eats little, walks around on tail at about 45-75 degree angle. Very strange spine curvature. Did she break something ? Lfs store guy said he had one like that before who never recovered its 'posture' but lived for 2 years more. She developed a white cottony spot on tail a few days ago.
3. Old goldfish fraying tail bloody edges started at same time as cottony spot. (I know they're not compatible w/ the mollies now. Didn't know before. Gonna get new 20g tank for her)
What I've done:
1. 8 tsp aquarium salt currently in water (40g).
2. 2 days ago, took out filter catridge w/ carbon & used parasite clear (i know, i panicked and it was the only thing i had in my old fish junk box) and it was close to midnight. never again.) cottony spot smaller nx day, now all gone. Goldfish fraying tail stopped deteriorating. Bloody streaks shrinking.
3. I changed 25% of water yesterday AM. Put biowheel filter catridges back in.
4. After speaking with lfs guy, I cleaned undergravel filters (all 4) at about midnight last night. That caused about another 30-35% water change. Replaced salt, dechlorinator and used Pimafix (smelly stuff). Took carbon cartridges out.
Q:
1. Did I kill off all good bacteria ? Will the cycle start anew and harm current fish ? Will the bacteria on the filter catridge die off if not in tank for as long as 1 week, if that's how long it needs to treat with Pimafix? I got Melafix too.
2. Goldfish looks great (she's about 4-5 years old, went from 1-2" when bought to 6" (8-9" with tail). Lfs says she may just be old and more susceptible to illness.
3. If the cottony fungal spot is gone and goldfish tail stopped fraying, can I stop treatment now ?
4. M molly is hiding, not eating, not active. Vertcle nose down. Any ideas ?
Oh yea, lfs tested my water. Everything in normal range. Nitrate and ph is in high end of normal which he says is ok if I keep up water change.
