Another Dead Fish

[MikeO]

If a health problem exists that means you shouldn't be lugging about buckets of water then fish keeping probably wasn't the best idea?

 

[soybean]

If a health problem exists that means you shouldn't be lugging about buckets of water then fish keeping probably wasn't the best idea?

How many people know about the problems of fish in cycling when they start? Lugging buckets around for weeks is rarely on the agenda if you haven't thought beyond "tank...water...fish...enjoy".

I've kept fish years and have had cancer the past couple of years. Should I stop doing water changes because the buckets now seem heavier than ever?

Akasha does her best and that's what counts.

 

[Tizer]

Yeah i agree its a little mean to pickup on that factor, even i wouldnt stoop that low, you are so mean MikeO, so shameful

(See what i did there?)

 

[Tory]

If a health problem exists that means you shouldn't be lugging about buckets of water then fish keeping probably wasn't the best idea?

That is not our choice to make, if it makes the op happy then so be it - we all do things that interfere with our health

The best thing you did was join the forum, most P) are cool, and the best advice can be got here, I know ive had lots of help and advice over the years. Ive had a few un savoury comments in the past, but dont let one comment put you off as you will gain many many more valuable ones that will benefit you as a fish keeper, and your fish

 

[This Old Spouse]

Tizer, you really are a sh*t.

 

[Tizer]

Tizer, you really are a sh*t.

COLDCASSIE, LOOK SHE BYPASSED THE SWEAR FILTER, STRIKE ONE!!!!!

MAKE HER PAY!

;D

 

[This Old Spouse]

Only for you, Tizer. Only for you!

 

[guppi]

22c is at the lower end, I think you did right turning it up a bit, Google your fish see what temperature they like.

 

[Akasha72]

thanks for the comments of support ... but telling disabled people they shouldn't do this and that only makes us more determined.

There's lots of things I'm not supposed to do but life is short, my mum died of cancer aged just 64, and that drives my determination to do what I can when I can.
Maybe it wasn't the best hobby to choose but they give me pleasure and that makes daily excrutiating pain more bearable.

I've come home from work and their all still alive. Before going to work I asked at P@H if I could buy new test tubes from them but they told me to go online.

I'm doing my best and I can do no more. I only asked here in case there could be another reason for the deaths that I'd not thought of.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

It's all good, Akasha. I understand exactly what you are saying. My dad was doing more work than he was supposed to do, too soon after his quadruple bypass surgery. He figured the pain went down, so he must have been healthy enough to do as much as he could bear pain-wise. My wife tells me that I have inherited that trait.



Have you looked into getting a Python system instead of lugging buckets? It might make the water changes almost enjoyable, and it would be much easier than carrying buckets around. I made my own system, but they do sell them pre-made and you wouldn't have to carrying buckets full of old water or new water. The key is that the python empties straight into the sink and then will fill up straight from the faucet. You'd only need to carry the hose. Much lighter.

 

[Akasha72]

I read something on here somewhere about this python system but I didn't think it would work for me. My hot and cold taps are seperate not a mixer you see. I also couldn't work out how you de-chlorinate the fresh water.

As time goes on I may find easier ways of changing water ... but as time goes on hopefully I won't be changing that much either.

I've done little else but think about the possible causes of the deaths, I still can't find my test tubes and I've now got a horrible feeling that somehow they've ended up in the bin (and my rubbish was collected this morning so that's that). I'm trying to source some more test tubes but it's proving difficult. I've just emailed API directly. In the meantime I'm planning to change some water everyday as I think stirring things up changing the substrate has caused a lot of the trouble and go back to getting my water checked at P@H until I can find or replace those test tubes.

I'm not sure I can face losing anymore of my fish. I worked really hard at getting them through the new tank syndrome and in all honesty I don't think they were exposed to massive doses of ammonia.

Anyway, fingers crossed for keeping them alive with lots of water changes and lots of codiene and diclofenac for me!

 

[soybean]

They don't need to be exposed to massive amounts of ammonia.

And don't forget you have no idea if they ever were before you got them - their lives start before you buy them.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

I read something on here somewhere about this python system but I didn't think it would work for me. My hot and cold taps are seperate not a mixer you see. I also couldn't work out how you de-chlorinate the fresh water.

That doesn't have to be a problem. First, the issue with the mixer tap... Start by using the python to remove the water, that would eliminate HALF of the lugging. Then, the issue with the refill is simple. As long as your heater stays submerged as it needs to be, you can leave the heater on during the water change. Then, turn the water on VERY SLOWLY. If you slowly refill, you won't have to worry about the temp dropping drastically. Certainly it will drop, but that happens a lot in streams with rainfall. Leaving the heater on will enable to heater to help fight this drop. Keep a thermometer in the tank and just keep an eye on how low the temp drops. A little drop isn't really an issue.


As far as the dechlorinator goes, you add sufficient dechlorinator to deal with the full tank water volume, not just the amount you are adding. You can overdose the dechlorinator even a little higher than that if you are worried. Let's say it takes two hours to do the full refill, just add dechlorinator for the full volume when you start adding the water. Then start to refill. About an hour in, you could add dechlorinator for that as well. (By the way there are folks who don't use ANY dechlorinator AT ALL and they too have no trouble with their fish. I use it primarily because I figure it doesn't hurt and can only help. And it deals with metals as well.)

 

[Akasha72]

They don't need to be exposed to massive amounts of ammonia.

And don't forget you have no idea if they ever were before you got them - their lives start before you buy them.

True I'd not thought of it that way.

I guess all I can do is follow my plan to change water, cut down on feeding and wait to see what happens.

Thanks Eagles, there's no way I'd go without de-chlorinator - here in the U.k they add so much rubbish to our water that I just wouldn't trust it.

I'll make some enquiries after xmas

Akasha

 

[This Old Spouse]

The only people who don't use dechlorinator are those who have well water, near as I can tell.