Columnaris Wiping Out Tank...Help!

[Silencedogood]

I doubt it, if I am understanding the question. Ammonia consistent at this low a level seems common, and is often relatd to the use of chloramine in the source water. There may of course be other factors too. If you have live plants and especially fast growers (floating plants are the best for this), it is highly unlikely that ammonia will ever be a problem for fish. Floating plants are often termed "ammonia sinks" for a very good reason.

I have a couple of small sword-like plants and java fern on my driftwood. Those are all the plants that I have right now.
I tested the ammonia in the 20 gallon again today and it is still 0.25 ppm. Is the tank cycled? I did use half of the filter media from my already cycled tank, hoping for an instant cycle.

Can I use an ammonia binder to get rid of the low level of ammonia?

 

[Byron]

I have a couple of small sword-like plants and java fern on my driftwood. Those are all the plants that I have right now.
I tested the ammonia in the 20 gallon again today and it is still 0.25 ppm. Is the tank cycled? I did use half of the filter media from my already cycled tank, hoping for an instant cycle.

Can I use an ammonia binder to get rid of the low level of ammonia?

I personally would not worry about ammonia at this low a level. Do they add chlortamine to your tap water? If yes, that is probley thee ammonia issue solved.

 

[Silencedogood]

I personally would not worry about ammonia at this low a level. Do they add chlortamine to your tap water? If yes, that is probley thee ammonia issue solved.

I'm not sure if they do. Does that mean that my tank is cycled?

 

[Byron]

I'm not sure if they do. Does that mean that my tank is cycled?

Probably, based on previous info in this thread. On the chloramine, this is important to know...have a look on the website of your water authority, it should say there what they add to the water.

 

[Silencedogood]

I looked at the water authority site and it didn't say anything about adding chloramine to the water. I do add a water conditioner every time I add water to the tank. I thought Stress Coat and API tap water conditioner detoxifies chlorines and chloramines?

 

[Byron]

I looked at the water authority site and it didn't say anything about adding chloramine to the water. I do add a water conditioner every time I add water to the tank. I thought Stress Coat and API tap water conditioner detoxifies chlorines and chloramines?

That is not what I was referring to, so allow me to explain.

Water authorites used to add chlorine to kill bacteria, but science has learned that this is not always the most effective, and the chlorine does dissipate out of the water as it travels throough pipes. Some water authorities now add chloramine, a bond of chlorine and ammonia. Conditioners will detoxify both, but the chloramine bond is a bit different and the ammonia can remain. Find out from your water authority if they are or are not adding chlormine.

Conditioners are not all the same. API Tap Water Conditioner is in my view the absolute best conditioner on the market; it is the most highly concentrated so you use less, and it detoxifies chlorine, chloramine and heavy metals but nothing else. The fewer chemicals the better for fish, always.

API StressCoat is a product I would not recommend. It includes aloe vera, and this is now believed to affect fish gills over time. No point in risking fish. The API Tap Water Conditioner cannot be beat and is all you need.

 

[Silencedogood]

That is not what I was referring to, so allow me to explain.

Water authorites used to add chlorine to kill bacteria, but science has learned that this is not always the most effective, and the chlorine does dissipate out of the water as it travels throough pipes. Some water authorities now add chloramine, a bond of chlorine and ammonia. Conditioners will detoxify both, but the chloramine bond is a bit different and the ammonia can remain. Find out from your water authority if they are or are not adding chlormine.

Conditioners are not all the same. API Tap Water Conditioner is in my view the absolute best conditioner on the market; it is the most highly concentrated so you use less, and it detoxifies chlorine, chloramine and heavy metals but nothing else. The fewer chemicals the better for fish, always.

API StressCoat is a product I would not recommend. It includes aloe vera, and this is now believed to affect fish gills over time. No point in risking fish. The API Tap Water Conditioner cannot be beat and is all you need.

I always use the API Tap Water Conditioner. My water authority actually adds chlorine to the water; I will try to find out if they add chloramine to the water.
Just checking: Is it safe to add fish to my 20 gallon?

 

[Aussie_Bristle]

That is not what I was referring to, so allow me to explain.

Water authorites used to add chlorine to kill bacteria, but science has learned that this is not always the most effective, and the chlorine does dissipate out of the water as it travels throough pipes. Some water authorities now add chloramine, a bond of chlorine and ammonia. Conditioners will detoxify both, but the chloramine bond is a bit different and the ammonia can remain. Find out from your water authority if they are or are not adding chlormine.

Conditioners are not all the same. API Tap Water Conditioner is in my view the absolute best conditioner on the market; it is the most highly concentrated so you use less, and it detoxifies chlorine, chloramine and heavy metals but nothing else. The fewer chemicals the better for fish, always.

API StressCoat is a product I would not recommend. It includes aloe vera, and this is now believed to affect fish gills over time. No point in risking fish. The API Tap Water Conditioner cannot be beat and is all you need.

Would he not be better to add Prime which treats Ammonia, chloramine, chlorine, nitrate and nitrates or in this case it’s not going to make a difference?

 

[Byron]

Would he not be better to add Prime which treats Ammonia, chloramine, chlorine, nitrate and nitrates or in this case it’s not going to make a difference?

No. Prime detoxifies ammonia, nitrite and nitrate, but only temporarily; after 24-36 hours if any of these are still present, they convert back to being toxic. Prime is intended for use when one (or more) of these are in the source water; the temporary detoxification removes the initial influx, allowing the bacteria/plants time to get it under control.

Another thing is Prime is not a particularly good conditioner for permanent use, unless the above is the issue (one of these in the tap water).

 

[Stan510]

Try the kordon ich rid .You need a dye and the rest to kill the fungus. Also,80f is best or higher ..fish can take it better than the disease.
I remember now,it has trace formaldehyde..something the fish veterinarian on youtube recommends for fungus and parasites internal and external.

 

[Silencedogood]

I used the Kanaplex and Furan-2 and that got rid of the last of whatever it was. I had 7 guppies survive and they are doing well now. They 20 gallon cycled and is full of baby livebearers. Thank you all for your help!!

 

[Retired Viking]

I used the Kanaplex and Furan-2 and that got rid of the last of whatever it was. I had 7 guppies survive and they are doing well now. They 20 gallon cycled and is full of baby livebearers. Thank you all for your help!!

I am happy things are working out for you,

 

[JuiceBox52]

I used the Kanaplex and Furan-2 and that got rid of the last of whatever it was. I had 7 guppies survive and they are doing well now. They 20 gallon cycled and is full of baby livebearers. Thank you all for your help!!

Good to hear!

 

[Aussie_Bristle]

Oh that is fantastic, was a horrible run you had there.