sick fish?

Well, as embarassed as I am, I have to admit I think it may have been a water problem. I was gone for the entire day, and when I came home, had one dead blue peacock, and one dead pleco. I immediatly did a water change and a vacuum. What else can be done. And NO, I do not have a tester to test nitrates, ect. All I have is the ph.. and it's around 7.8 This is the ph that my water has been for months, so I really don't think ph is the problem althogh u never know. I do not believe they were being bullied and there were no visable signs of fungus, ich,,ect. However, my yellow lab looked to be doing the funky chicken,,shaking, almost vibrating. I know this is a sign of something wrong. So, if it is my water, what can I do.. plz help.
 
Sounds like a possible parasite problem to me. Most fish tend to scratch on stuff, shake and twitch when they have a parasite. Tho it could be a water issue. I recommend going to the local grocery store, getting a few gallons of spring water(aquafina, etc... or cheap store brand lol) let them sit over night to get room temp. then do a major water change using the new water. Go pick up some Primafix and dose the new water to specifications on its bottle, add salt to the tank(1 tblspn per 5-10 gallons of water) the salt will help with stress issues. Remember to remove any filter media from the filters when using Primafix or Melafix but let the filter continue to run without the media. Also if you can pick up tetra aquasafe for the water to remove any chemicals in the water(chlorine, other metals in water), i have found personally that tetra watersafe works great.
 
MiramichiMob said:
Well, as embarassed as I am, I have to admit I think it may have been a water problem. I was gone for the entire day, and when I came home, had one dead blue peacock, and one dead pleco. I immediatly did a water change and a vacuum. What else can be done. And NO, I do not have a tester to test nitrates, ect. All I have is the ph.. and it's around 7.8 This is the ph that my water has been for months, so I really don't think ph is the problem althogh u never know. I do not believe they were being bullied and there were no visable signs of fungus, ich,,ect. However, my yellow lab looked to be doing the funky chicken,,shaking, almost vibrating. I know this is a sign of something wrong. So, if it is my water, what can I do.. plz help.
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Sorry you're having problems. What exactly is your water change routine and how often do you gravel vac ? What's the depth of substrate and do you stir it once a week ? What water conditioner to you use ? What's your filtration.

Ph is not your problem.

MiramichiMob said:
So, if it is my water, what can I do.. plz help.
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A good liquid drop text kit will allow you to make a more precise analysis of what may be going wrong.

I can't say to you e.g. do a huge water change, because I don't know what your nitrates are, and if they were very high this could shock the fish.

I can't say to you e.g. don't do a change, your water is not the problem and it will be stress on the fish, because we don't know that your water isn't the problem.

I can't say that you have inadequate mechanical filtration versus that something has damaged your bacterial colonies temporarily.

We can't even say that something has gotten into your water supply and that what you are putting in the tank does not require e.g. Seachem Prime to detoxify ammonia.

As much as you apparently don't want to hear it, you need a good liquid drop test kit, API make a great one. There's really no good reason not to have one and without it, you're guessing.
 
I know, I know, I need a test kit. I went for so long without one and my fish were always fine, that's all. Today is a holiday, no stores r open so I (and the fish) will have to suffer another day. After my water change last night they seem better this morning, but definately not 100%. Appreciate the help.

Would another water change help?

My substrate is play sand, about 2-2.5 inches deep. Water changes, at the most are done every 2 weeks, usually around 10 days. I change about 25% of the water, and I do stir the gravel up. Thanks again.
 
Leave the filter media out for about 7-10 days while treating the tank to meds specifications, after the 7-10 days add new carbon to the media. The fish hopefully should do better after using the medication/s.
 
OK, one more dumb question. I have a couple hang on filters. Do I remove the filter cartridge AND the bio filter sponge? And if so, do I also replace the bio filter sponge? Also, starting to think parasites too, that yellow lab is wedging himself between the glass and thermometer, as if he's scatching his back,.. thanks again.
 
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