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So, over the last couple of months I have had to treat for fungus, then ick and then fungus again. I don't think I was over feeding but I have cut back the amount they get but the problem won't go away. The problem is that the tank seems misty, like if you were to look at it in a microscope you would see lots of tiny little bubbles. My ammonia is 0, my nitrates are 0, my ph is 7.2. I did a 25% water change 2 days ago, but the water still hasn't cleared. I am using carbon in my hob filter. I have lost 1 oto and 1 platy through all of this. Any help is muchly apreciated THANKS!!

Im no expert when it comes to water clarity, but your description of "bubbles" makes me think that maybe your filter output is high, causing bubbles which makes the water look misty???

Just a thought, dont know if that is of any help.

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Those who say they cant, Never will !!!

Just a few sugestions. First it could even be your water supply to test this fill several clean glasses of water cover and leave over night. If they are clear shake the glass to see if any thing has settled in the glass. Often when the water supply clean the pipes there is a lot of air in the water supply.

Now for the tank.
Do a 30% water change twice a week and do not feed on that day.
Clean the filter material as well and introduce a Bio starter or Cycle product as not to loose any of your good bacteria.
Remove the carbon is it there for any particular reason.

Take a good samply to your LFS with your test results and get a full test just incase your tests are out.

I would also add extra airation.

When did you do a full substrate deep cleaning.

What size is the tank, its inhabitants, live or plastic plants, and how long has it been set up?

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Keith

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This might sound blindingly obvious,in which case I apologise in advance, but what dechlorinator/water conditioner are you using, and do you let the water sit for a while before putting it in the tank? It sounds like you're describing how water looks when you first set up a tank , perhaps the tank is mini-cycling?

The reason I had put in the carbon was to clean the cloudyness out of the water (suggested by my lfs) I usually just have two foam blocks. I also have a 12" bubble wall in there, so I think I have enough air. It is a 72 gallon with 3 weather loaches, 2 otos, 9 adult platys, 2 baby platys, and 8 black neons. I have a mixture of 5 live and some fake plants (I am replacing the fake with live slowly). And I have had it set up for about a year. I don't think I have ever done a deep substrate cleaning, but I do clean it. I use "aqua plus" tap water conditioner. I don't let the water sit before I add it, I never have, and if it was mini cycling wouldn't my tests show something?? I will be getting my water tested at my lfs this weekend. Thanks for the help!

How long has the carbon in the tank. It does not have a very long working life in a tank. (other FP members might be able to explain its useful life) I never use it and never have.

Another thing "Feeding" how often and how much?

Deep cleaning would not hurt at all.

Filter how often and how do you clean it fully?

I still recommend a 30% prepared weekly water change.

A 12ins bubble wall is only as good as the air pump is it pushing a lot of air out and circulating the water also making the water surface movement all the time?

Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info

Look here for my
Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
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I think the other thread has made this clear. Its bacterial war and theyre losing.The filter is dying and the tank water is filling with dead bacteria, methane, and co2. Needs cleaning up, a big water change and maybe some bacterial aid from your lfs to get things going again asap. Ammonia spikes are on the way, so get it cleaned up asap, it will help limit the damage and the toxocity, id run some carbon too. Make sure the water is well oxygenated, the bubbles your seeing sure wont be oxygen , and your fish may need extra support for breathing.

What meds did you use?

I have only had the carbon in there for 2 weeks or so.

I feed them a pinch of flake in the morning and a pinch of flake in the evening. Every couple of days I feed a few shrimp pellets at lights out.

I do a 25% water change a week. I ues a syphon to clean the gravol, should I just go deeper once a month or so?? I usually have 2 foam blocks in my hob filter and clean the bottom one in old tank water and then put it in on top of the other one. Also once a month I clean the pump out. What do you mean by prepared water change? Letting the water sit?

The meds I used were:
Pimafix for fungus
Maracide for ick

And I just started Maracyn-Two for dropsy.

I will be going to my lfs to get a better air pump this weekend. I am interested in putting together a hospital tank, what do I need to do to set that up???

I would only feed once a day.

Do a 30% water change.

I deep clean at every weekly water change Where possible front only, both tanks.

I clean my foam filter weekly 11g betta tank, and the 5ft tank monthly Large Eheim canister.

Try cleaning the pump out weekly.

Prepared water. I am refering water that has been dechlorinated and let sit for one week. I store 2x25Lt water containers every week and a 12Lt for the Betta tank. Are you replacing the air pump for that tank, if so get one with plenty of power. I prefer the ceramic air stones as they dont clog up like many others do.
Be carefull many medications will kill all bacteria including the good bacteria in your tanks filter.
In many cases Cycle or a similar product must be used.
I use Sera Bio Starter weekly in both tanks and I dont use many meds at all. This keeps my good bacteria in its otrigional condition.


Hosiptal tank.
I have never owned one but many FP members have and I will leave that one to them.
This would be my suggestion.
I would think depending on the size of the fish you intend to use it for will depend on its size.
A good filter for the tank size
A good air pump and a ceramic stone.
Full Glass cover.
A light is not actually not necessary.
Heater/s depending on tank size.
Thermometer.
Several different size nets.
A solution to sterilize the nets.
A good supply of meds.
A book to keep all records.

There seems a lot here I hope it does not confuse you too much.

Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info

Look here for my
Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
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So it's ok to add room temp water to the tank when you do the changes? I always dechlorinate the water. Do you add cycle everytime you do a water change? I didn't want to clean the filter monthly because I thought it would kill too much good bacteria. But I guess if you add cycle everytime you clean it.......should I also be adding cycle during there med treatment??

If I only feed once a day how do I know that my loaches are getting enough food??

Thanks so much for all the advice I really appreciate it!!

I should let you know that I will be moving in a month about a 20-30 min ride away. I plan on having a smaller tank (20g) set up with old tank water, the filter media and the bubble wall. So I can put the fish in that while I set the other tank up. I was also considering doing a gravol change since I would be rincing the gravol anyways. What do you think?? I don't want to hurt any of my babies.

Thanks again!!

So it's ok to add room temp water to the tank when you do the changes?

I always warm up the water all seasons it is best to warm to tank temp rather than room temp. My finger is the thermometer in other words I just get it close to tank temp and dont worry at all been doing this for most of my 35 years of water changes never a problem at all.

Do you add cycle everytime you do a water change?

Yes. A page could be written on that subject. Basically the bacteria muitates its self (sorry can not think of time) and each time it is a slightly different bacteria until it is nothing like the origional good bacteria.

I didn't want to clean the filter monthly because I thought it would kill too much good bacteria.

You can not kill the bacteria if you wash it in the tank water you have just removed. BUT it must be done quickly I do this under 15 min for the Betta and under 30 min for the large Eheim Pro11 5ft tank. Live bacteria will not survive much longer than one Hr without tank water flowing through it.

But I guess if you add cycle everytime you clean it.......

Again Yes

should I also be adding cycle during there med treatment??

Yes especially if you have used any Antibiotics as many meds are not selective. I personally would

If I only feed once a day how do I know that my loaches are getting enough food??

It is how much and what you feed each time that counts look at My Profile feeding program. Also look at my Photo Bucket to see the condition of my Clown Loaches.

Thanks so much for all the advice I really appreciate it!!

Not a problem it is nice to get a reply like that and I certainly appreciate it.

I was also considering doing a gravel change since I would be rinsing the gravel anyways. What do you think?? I don't want to hurt any of my babies. Thanks again!!

There is good bacterial in the gravel as well. Are you refering to washing "New" gravel and doing a full replcement?
If you are doing that wash the gravel well before hand and make sure it is copmpletly dry. Reason just in case there is chlorine in the water you have used to wash it with.

When you reset the tank you will go through a mini cycle then I would add the measured amount of "cycle" as recommended by the product. This could be every day.

Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info

Look here for my
Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
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Sorry I don't quite understand how you warm up the water....with tank heaters???

I was going to change to new gravol. A more natural look I have deep red as my main colour now and am really tired of it.

At one stage I was heating the water with heaters but not worth the effort, also I busted a few heaters doing it.

I store my water in containers as I previously stated. I heat them up in a laundry trough with hot water. During the cold months when the gas wall heater is on I place the water containers in front of that and it does an excellent job. I have also placed the water containers in the sun on the very hot days.

Does clear that question up.

If not keep asking I am only too pleased to help you.

Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info

Look here for my
Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
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yea that makes sense. I guess I will just use my bath tub

So now I am really worried about my fish (Sparky). Do you happen to know when she may begin to show any signs of improvment?? I have just treated my tank for the 4th day of a 5 day treatment. i am using maracyn-two (minocycline). I just have this feeling that she isn't doing well. Thanks!!

Sorry I have no idea about that. I suggest you contact the LSF or take "Sparky" with you or a better answer

Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info

Look here for my
Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW