I May Have Just Killed My Entire Tank!

Lisa67

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I have a 125 gal tank with 7 frontosa. We neede to remove the carpet beneath the tank, so I drained as much water as possible, leaving enough to cover them by a few inches. I also disconnected the filter to clean it. Mid project my hasband got called away for about 90 minutes. I figured they'd be ok for that lenth of time. I then refilled the tank. All of my fronts look confused, swimming into stuff and one is at the surface, looking like he's at deaths doorstep. Is it too late to do anything? Also, had a little trouble regulating the water temp when filling, but I don't think I was that far off.
 
I have a 125 gal tank with 7 frontosa. We neede to remove the carpet beneath the tank, so I drained as much water as possible, leaving enough to cover them by a few inches. I also disconnected the filter to clean it. Mid project my hasband got called away for about 90 minutes. I figured they'd be ok for that lenth of time. I then refilled the tank. All of my fronts look confused, swimming into stuff and one is at the surface, looking like he's at deaths doorstep. Is it too late to do anything? Also, had a little trouble regulating the water temp when filling, but I don't think I was that far off.
how long was the filter off? its possible you have seriously killed off alot of bacteria. also ph shock is a possibility. id test for ammonia and nitrate two or three times a day. if your ammonia goes over 1ppm then post back on here for proper help!
 
When you cleaned the filter did you clean your filter sponges?
Check your water stats in ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and ph.
Did you fill the tank up with fresh water from the tap, adding water conditioner.
What is your tank PH normally. Tap PH.
Did the temp of the water go over 2 degree's either way?


Are the fish showing any of these symptoms.
Gasping at surface of tank?
Laboured breathing?
Excess mucas?
Darting?
Looking pale or darker in colour?
Swimming in circles really fast?
Listless & Lethargic?
Fish not noticing there surroundings?
Unable to maintain balance in the water?
 
Are you thinking PH because of the volume of water I changed? I've moved tanks before without this problem. Not sure what went wrong. Ammonia is zero, so is nitrite. I only ran the filter under water,. I don't think I could have killed that much bacteria. I'm guessing the water temperature was the problem....but I really have no idea. I'm seeing some signs of recovery. Keeping my fingers crossed. One fish was on the bottom looking dead. Its swimming again....upside down and backwards, but still alive, so far. As far as conditioner, I have well water. Contains no chlorine. I've never used conditioner.
 
Was the filter sponges still in the filter when you run it under the water. If so it would of caused all your good bacteria to die off in the filter sponges.

I would test your tank PH.
 
pH Shock
As its name suggests this condition occurs when a fish is introduced to quickly into a new environment which has a very different pH from the one it came from, when the pH is adjusted to quickly and the fish have little or no time to adjust themselves, or when the pH is to far outside the fishes normal range.
It is very important that any change in water chemistry is made slowly and fish should never be exposed to changes of pH greater than 0.5 of one unit on the pH scale in either direction.
Avoidance is by far the best solution because in most cases the symptoms don't appear until the second or third day by which time the damage has been done and the fish will probably die.

A fish suffering from this condition will show all the typical signs of shock.
Lying on the bottom and paying little or no attention to its surroundings and ignoring potential threats.
It may even lay on its side or go upside down completely. <br />There could be other signs to, related to Acidosis and Alkalosis.
Excessive mucus production.
Rapid breathing.
Swollen abdomen. (Alkalosis only).
If the condition is allowed to go on for one or two days then the chances of a successful remedy are greatly reduced because a lot of damage will have taken place. If the symptoms are spotted early enough there are a couple of things that will help.<br /><br />Begin to return the pH to the original pH in steps of 0.4 of one unit on the pH scale and allow 3 hrs in between the adjustments. Make these adjustments until the pH is returned to a safe and satisfactory level.

Treat the tank with a broad spectrum anti-Bacteria/Fungus compound to prevent secondary infections of the Skin and Gills.
Prevention is easy. A successful treatment isn't
PH SHOCK LINK<br />http://groups.msn.com/FishHealth/phshock.msnw<br
 
Thanks for your reply. It sounds like ph may be the problem but I don't think there is much I can do since I don't know what the ph was before I changed it. Its the same tap water I always use. I dont think the bacteria is the the problem. My ammonia and nitrate are zero. Still watching and waiting.
 
OK.
As long as you didn't rinse the filter sponges in tap water.

I would also advise keeping an eye on your water stats. Aswell as the fish.

If anymore problems don't hesitate to post on your thread.

Good Luck.
 

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