What the hell is wrong with my fish

[hurricanejedi]

ok, i will do the water changes and where in dfw tx can i get a python?


Danny :thud:

Most pet stores carry them and I think Walmart does too.

 

[Jay-Stew]

ok, i will do the water changes and where in dfw tx can i get a python?


You can get a Python at a fish store ,pet supply store in your area , make some calls . Be sure you know how long of a python you need before buying one. The different lengths vary in price. A Python will make your water changes much easier with your 80 G tank. You have got some good advice to recover your tank. Good Luck !!

 

[Jay-Stew]

no please explain! you dont just take out the water and put new water in? i do use chlorine remover. also one more question, how deep should the gravel be? also i just got the tests at walmart and followed the direction on the box....

First you siphon out 25% water out of the tank
Second you add the correct amount of dechlorinator to your tank. Do this immediatly before you add your new water. You mentioned you use PRIME, that is good.
Third you start filling the tank with new water through your PYTHON.
Viola !!! Water change done!!

2-3 inches of gravel should work in your tank. Rule of thumb usually is 1 pound per gallon. Good luck !!

 

[budrecki]

First you siphon out 25% water out of the tank
Second you add the correct amount of dechlorinator to your tank. Do this immediatly before you add your new water. You mentioned you use PRIME, that is good.
Third you start filling the tank with new water through your PYTHON.
Viola !!! Water change done!!

These instructions are correct, however, let’s talk about gravel vacuuming. I have to assume you've never done it before, so there will be a lot of debris, CRAP and food, in the gravel. DO NOT vacuum all the gravel at once. Divide the tank into 4 parts and do one part every 3 days. Once all of the gravel is clean the first time, you will vacuum the gravel at every water change.

With the python system, you will gravel vac and remove water at the same time.

You do need to use a water conditioner to remove chorine/chloramines. I use Prime, but there are other brands.

 

[budrecki]

For gravel depth, without live plants, Less is More. Keep it to 1 inch, it's just for decoration.

Less gravel= less debris in the gravel=cleaner tank


What are you water parameters -
Ammonia
Nitrite
Nitrate
Ph

 

[buzzword]

ok i've done the water change. when should i run water tests again? now or in a few days? i'm going to get a python in the next few days. Thanks for all the info and help!

 

[budrecki]

Do you tests now and post numbers

 

[buzzword]

this is all i have tests for at the moment.

nitrite 0 - .5
nitrate 200+
Hardness 75
alkaline 300+
ph 8.4

no changes really

 

[budrecki]

You're using the mardel test strips, yes? They tend to be inaccurate. if the furture you will want to get the ap master kit I mentioned. Your numbers are off the chart, and that is to be expected with OTS. Do the water changes as I posted, test after each change and post the numbers here.

Do you have salt, like table salt? Add 1 teaspoon per gallon of water to help reduce the nitrite toxicity.

 

[DaisyTattoo]

Do you have salt, like table salt? Add 1 teaspoon per gallon of water to help reduce the nitrite toxicity.

I just want to add that if you are going to add salt to the tank, dont just dump in 55 teaspoons of salt...make sure that you add it slowly and it is better to dissolve it in some treated water first.