110 Gallon South American Biotope

[eaglesaquarium]

Thanks TOS.
 
We aren't using anything more than gravity to hold the rocks in place.  The rocks stack fairly easily as they are pretty flat. (We played with them a bit before we put them in the tank to test for stability.)
 
As far as the sealant for the tank causing a problem, this tank held locally caught fish for over a year, without this problem at all.  Now, these were local fish, not tropicals, but I don't think it would matter.  But, whatever is causing the problem isn't causing a problem for the cories, so its possible that these fish are just susceptible to something that the cories (and perhaps other fish) just aren't.
 
 
I'm very appreciative of all suggestions, I assure you.  I wish it was something that could be tested for.  But, there's not a test kit that I know of that could help us.

 

[greenmumma141]

I would make a request for the cleaning ppl to not use any chemicals in the room. It might something that is sitting at the surface, or near it, which would be why the cories are not affected, or not AS affected as the top swimmers....

 

[This Old Spouse]

Oh, that's a great thought. 'DO NOT CLEAN GLASS' is a good start, but then nothing that can travel through the air either. 

 

[snazy]

How could it be something at the surface? This would mean that surface water isn't going through the filters, or at least not very efficiently. If its toxic enough to kill top swimmers, it will kill the corys too early or later. I am only clutching at straws with the disease, but there's plenty that kill in 24 hrs. One is a strain of columnaris and corys aren't easily succeptible to it. Columnaris can hit the gills and suffocate the fish before any other signs show up. So I am not lacking imagination  If you had access to a microscope and proper gear to check for bactera, could at least put you mind at peace. Parasites are easier to see with a home microscope.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Thanks folks.  The custodian for my room doesn't touch the area near the fishtank.  I'm not concerned with direct contamination like that, but coming into the room from the HVAC for the building.
 
 
We have microscopes. So, any direction for what to look for regarding columnaris would be beneficial.
 
 
Actually a bit of research on columnaris shows that these fish don't have it.  Ultimately, the fish look as healthy dead as they did when purchased.  No signs of any wool-like structures, or fungus, etc.  These fish are clean.
I do appreciate the suggestion though.

 

[snazy]

I am not saying its columnaris but its as possible as anything at this stage. But it won't harm to check a dead fish,especially the gills since you said they look like suffocating. I don't know anything about microscopes but my partner says for identifying bacteria you need to do a "gram test with dyes"
Parasites should be visible with right magniffication.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

I'll check with the biology department.  I've got a guy in mind.  He used to work in a medical lab, so I know he'd be up on all the techniques.  Not sure if he's up for a fish autopsy, but its worth asking.  I doubt its the strangest thing he's been asked to do.  He taught in a prison for quite a number of years.

 

[greenmumma141]

Im sure a dead fish is much better than anything he had to work on in prison 

 
It will be interesting to see what comes of this... I know it's probably extremely frustrating for you, and I can see why... but it's still cool to see someone with the ability and tools to find the exact root of such a problem.  

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Well, until we do figure it out... I'm not seeing the "cool" part. 
 
 
I know what you mean though, but let's not put the cart before the horse.

 

[daizeUK]

If you suspect a toxin, perhaps some carbon filter might help alleviate the problem? Just throwing whatever ideas I can your way.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

I have carbon in the filter, but it may be used up... I have considered a zeolite cartridge.
 
 
But, either carbon or zeolite will also remove tannins from the water, and that eliminates the black water effect we have been planning...

 

[Shelster]

Also if it was cleaner related, wouldn't your friends tank with the tetras potentially have issues too if airborne chemicals potential problem?

It is so frustrating, it's bad enough for us to hear how things are just so complicated for you, and we are just reading on a forum.

Really hope you get some answers so the tank is up and running successfully, you so deserve it all to go right.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Our tank has no cover over half of it, while our friend's tank has a full cover.  That's why we are thinking this way.  However, when this tank held turtles and local fish, there was no issue with cleaner... SO frustrating...

 

[Shelster]

How are things going eagles?

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Sorry for the lack of updates recently, but honestly, there is nothing to update.  The 3 cories are doing great, but we haven't tried to add new fish since the last report.   We are on spring break now.  We shall see what happens after that...  Again, apologies.