Guppies mysteriously dying???

[guppygirl]

hey guys,
I had 6 guppies and now I have 5, soon to be 4. I have them in a five gallon tank with a biowheel. The tempature tends to go above 85, so what do I do? do I need more filtration(flow?) The biowheel doen't go very fast. Should I add a bubbler?
the guppies rest on the bottom, looking very tired, and breathing hard. then I find them dead the next morning. WHAT DO I DO!!!!!! PLEASE HELP SOMEBODY!!!!
guppy girl

 

[BlueAngel]

can you lower the temperature of the tank? They are probly too hot. Mine seem to like it better if the temp is around 75 or 76 degrees

 

[dixaisy930]

Did you cycle the tank? If not, that could be the cause. Also, I think 6 or five guppies are too many for a 5 gallon tank, anyway.

 

[guppymonkey]

The temperature is way too high for guppies. At a temperture in the mid 80s the oxygen levels can get quite low. Water holds more oxygen at lower temperatures than at high temps. So the temperature needs to be lowered to about 75 degrees. And a five gallon tank is really too small to have more than a few fish in it, even with a filter. Get something a little bigger to hold the amount of fish that you have. With a five gallon tank the temperature can change too rapidly, and the waste can build up really fast. The biowheel you have is a good addition for any tank. They aren't supposed to move really fast, they just need to move enough to move the top of the water a little bit.

 

[guppygirl]

somehow I cannot lower the tempature. I've tried doing light off breaks, but that doesn't work.

 

[bgraber]

Whats your house thermostat set on? Can you move the tank to another room?

 

[juliethegr8t]

guppymonkey is right - you've got to lower the temp. I would say it would be better to even unplug the heater and go without than have it at 85. I'm betting your house is a more comfortable temperature than that. Your heater is probably either a cheap kind (ran into this problem when I bought a cheaper one)... or it's too many watts for your little tank. Also - you didn't say if your tank is cycled - that's also a major concern. If it is, and your ammonia and nitrite levels are fine, I'd guess the temp is the problem. Gasping is the sign which leads me to wonder...

 

[Phantom Thief]

I think its quite certainly the temperature which is affecting it. Just as guppymonkey said, oxygen levels drop as the temp increases. But it could also be caused by ammonia and nitrite levels. Fish have trouble absorbing oxygen if theres too much ammonia or nitrite. Or, it could be both. Either way, i would recommend an emergency 25% water change or more. Make sure u age ur water first to rid it of chlorine. Or u might 'borrow' some water from a friend's aquarium which has already cycled AND DISEASE FREE, thus intoducing benificial bacteria.If u use cooler water, it could lower the temp and reduce ammonia and nitrite levels. But dont change with TOO cold water, and do it slowly or your guppies will go into shock and things will go from bad to worse.

 

[guppygirl]

Ok. I will define things here.

*this tank does not have a heater, the heater(like most small tanks) is the light.
*I have had problems with ammonia before, good idea. I would have never thought of that. thanks!
* It's starting to go to 20degrees at night, and we're expecting snow soon. And, I don't think my dad would be too glad if we had to adjust the thermostat just for a bunch of fish.
* I think I should start doing twice a month water changes. Maybe that would help???
* No, I can't really move it into another room.
* Yes, my tank was cycled when I got it. I put like 2 really small ugly guppies in there, and started the filter, put a little pinch of flakes in it(to start the bacterial cycle).

oh oh. sorry my house tempature is :69
outside right now(It's about 9:00 ET) it's 27.
so. Ya, I don't think I could adjust it much. Seems great right now.
*I'm on well water, so there shouldn't be any chlorine.

Any more suggestions?
Should I add a bubbler to increase water flow and therefore oxygen?

Thanks already for all your help, even tho I need some more.
guppygirl

 

[dixaisy930]

How long did you cycle the tank?

How long do you leave the light on?

If the house temp is 69 (even at night I assume?) then leaving the light on maybe an hour or so should raise it enough for them to be comfortable.

If you plan on keeping that many fish in the tank (which you probably shouldn't, but you might not have a choice anymore) I'd say you need to be doing two partial water changes A WEEK.

 

[juliethegr8t]

* I think I should start doing twice a month water changes. Maybe that would help???

Does this mean you usually do less than twice a month water changes?? I think you'll find that the majority of fish owners here do them at least once a week to keep their tanks healthy. You probably do have high levels if this is the case, which can lead to gasping and death.

Also - if you are leaving the light on to keep the water warm, just don't turn it on so much! Turn it on a little in the morning and a little at night... just keep an eye on the temp. You shouldn't have a problem if you watch it closely. Lights aren't a very good way to keep water warm, so I'd really suggest getting a heater if you can.

 

[Opcn]

try to light your tank with a compact flourescent bulb $8 also you might want to add a few plants they help ease a heavy tank load.

Opcn