Yep I washed it a lot. It looked like it wasn't getting cloudy anymore so I put it in the tank. But when I stir it in the tank it's still must have some of that fine dust in it becuase it's still gets a little cloudy. Not sure if that's normal or not, or if it harms the fish.
Help Needed! Very Sick Fish
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Prime Ordeal
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Going to just slip this in ... any shade of yellow with the liquid test indicates there's at least some ammonia.
Don't you mean any shade of green? Yellow is 0ppm.
I just realised you're probably using a nessler test, something like the Nutrafin or Salifert, in which case yellow does mean 'some' ammonia. So unless we know which type the shop was using we're none the wiser.
This Old Spouse
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Going to just slip this in ... any shade of yellow with the liquid test indicates there's at least some ammonia.
Don't you mean any shade of green? Yellow is 0ppm.
Beg your pardon. I was thinking of my Nutrafin tests.
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If your filter is properly cycled then you don't have to do anything as it will keep the ammonia at zero for you. I do believe you'll find that your ammonia is slightly high (i.e. not zero) in which case you need to be making water changes daily to reduce it until the filter catches up. The problem is that without a decent ammonia test kit you can't know when and by how much to change the water.
I can run out and grab a test kit. How will I know when my filter is properly cycled? This tank has been set up for 6 months. Shouldn't it be cycled by now? Will the meds have affected my biological filter? Will my fishes fins grow back (the fins that are gone to the base)? Will the mouth grow back on my platy or will she die because she can't eat? Should I get rid of the sick fish, do a major water change and start agin? I'm holding out in hopes they get better....I love my little fish. Should I steralize my decorations when I do a major water change?
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Ok, well a test kit is a good start. You need a liquid one that tests for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH.
Your tank should be cycled after six months but, as you say, the meds may have knocked it back. You'll know when the filter is cycled because the ammonia and nitrite will remain at zero without needing to make water changes. The nitrate will also steadily increase over the week.
The fins should grow back if the meaty part where they attach to the fish isn't severely damaged. The lips may grow back depending on how severe they are damaged and assuming the rot is stopped now. He'll eat fine as long as he doesn't have to nibble the food (obviously), feed small flake, something soft.
A water change will always help because it dilutes any toxins that are in the water but you need to add an appropriate amount of medication in with the new water to keep the med dosing stable.
You shouldn't need to steralise anything, just make sure the tank is well maintained. Clean the substrate when you change water and clean your filter sponges in tank water (not too roughly). Clean any collected debris from ornaments and plants. remove any rotting stuff like plant leaves.
Your tank should be cycled after six months but, as you say, the meds may have knocked it back. You'll know when the filter is cycled because the ammonia and nitrite will remain at zero without needing to make water changes. The nitrate will also steadily increase over the week.
The fins should grow back if the meaty part where they attach to the fish isn't severely damaged. The lips may grow back depending on how severe they are damaged and assuming the rot is stopped now. He'll eat fine as long as he doesn't have to nibble the food (obviously), feed small flake, something soft.
A water change will always help because it dilutes any toxins that are in the water but you need to add an appropriate amount of medication in with the new water to keep the med dosing stable.
You shouldn't need to steralise anything, just make sure the tank is well maintained. Clean the substrate when you change water and clean your filter sponges in tank water (not too roughly). Clean any collected debris from ornaments and plants. remove any rotting stuff like plant leaves.
It's a brilliant idea to get a proper liquid test kit. Your filter should be cycled after 6 months but the meds might have affected it. I've used the paraquard and it is definately not it that caused the ammonia reading.
The fih's fins should grow back if the base was not damaged, but even if they don't the fish will be more than likely just fine as long as it heals.
I am not certain about the platy mouth, but if you love your fish it's worth a chance to try to make it heal.
There is no need to sterilize decoration and don't do a huge water change at once unless necessary. To remove the medication it is best to do max 60% water change and then use new carbon in the filter to remove the rest. Then start the next treatment. Do regular 50% max water changes once a week.
Medication and ammonia at the same time won't heal your fish so make sure you test regularly.
The fih's fins should grow back if the base was not damaged, but even if they don't the fish will be more than likely just fine as long as it heals.
I am not certain about the platy mouth, but if you love your fish it's worth a chance to try to make it heal.
There is no need to sterilize decoration and don't do a huge water change at once unless necessary. To remove the medication it is best to do max 60% water change and then use new carbon in the filter to remove the rest. Then start the next treatment. Do regular 50% max water changes once a week.
Medication and ammonia at the same time won't heal your fish so make sure you test regularly.
Thank you so much!! I love sitting here in the evenings and watching my fish...but lately it's been nothing but stress. My little gourami with the eye pop and shimmys is now sitting on the bottom of the tank and has small patched of white on his tail. (not ich, it looks a little fuzzy) If I have a bacteria problem can I treat with lots of water changes and heat? Or will the heat make it worse? I can't wait to get my tank healthy again and really appreciate all the advise. 
You will be glad when all is back to normal although it takes such patience and certainly time in most cases.
Bacterial infection and heat is a no no normally unless you know the specific bacteria you are dealing with. Keep up with maracyn 2 med. It's a broad range stuff and should help I hope although I never used it to be able to comment.
Bacterial infection and heat is a no no normally unless you know the specific bacteria you are dealing with. Keep up with maracyn 2 med. It's a broad range stuff and should help I hope although I never used it to be able to comment.
If it were ich you want to speed the cycle up so the medicine can get to the parasite when it is in its vulnerable state.
But in your case I don't think that turning the heat up is advisable. It will speed the process of the infection, and you rather need it to slow down so the treatment can have more time to do its job.
But in your case I don't think that turning the heat up is advisable. It will speed the process of the infection, and you rather need it to slow down so the treatment can have more time to do its job.
How many litres is 60% water change and what is the recommended dosage on the label of the meds bottle?
Not sure about the med you are using at the moment. It all depends on the type of medication, how strong it is and how dangerous if overdosed. But the paraguard for example needed a full dose although the water changes were partial.
Maybe someone that used maracyn can help?
Not sure about the med you are using at the moment. It all depends on the type of medication, how strong it is and how dangerous if overdosed. But the paraguard for example needed a full dose although the water changes were partial.
Maybe someone that used maracyn can help?
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Just add back 6/10 (six tenths) or 0.6x the original dose. So, for example, if you dosed the whole tank with 10ml originally you'd now add in 0.6 x 10 or 6ml.
This is how I dosed (as per the instructions)
2 packes (pre measured packs treat 10 gallons)the first day
1 pack per day for the next 4 days
I had treated with all doses (today being my last day of treatment) it then says that if symptoms are not getting worse but are not better after 5 days, do another 5 day treatment
2 packes (pre measured packs treat 10 gallons)the first day
1 pack per day for the next 4 days
I had treated with all doses (today being my last day of treatment) it then says that if symptoms are not getting worse but are not better after 5 days, do another 5 day treatment
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