Lack of Oxygen

[andywatkins]

Hi all,

I have a 28 gallon tank with 3 little guppies, 3 medium gourami (about 2-3") 2 small to medium angel fish and 2 small (3") catfish in it.

I have been monitoring the ammonium, nitrates etc for 6 weeks or so now and they all seem very low.

I have noticed recently though the fish are spending much more time on the surface. I presume they need more oxygen.

I have a Fluval 3 filter pump. It appears to come with a little adaptor valve that goes on the water output, which allows it to suck in air, I have added this though it doesn't seem to make much difference. I have the pump set now to just very slightly below the water surface 2mm?

Am I misdiagnosing the air, and is there anything helpful I can add to the tank?

Oh I do have a great deal of plant life in the tank, possibly a bit too much, I thought plants ate co2 and produced oxygen.

All advice greatly appreciated

Thanks

Andy Watkins

 

[tstenback]

What are the readings for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate?
Your thoughts on the plants is correct during daylight, but during the night the process is reversed and the plants eat oxygen and produce CO2.

 

[andywatkins]

Dear all,

I believe I have fixed my own problem. If there are any other newbies out there please read this post.....

Whilst changing some water I decided to clean the filter. I have heard over cleaning the filter is a bad idea, so I have not yet ever cleaned the filter. The actual filter pads were ok, cleaned them a bit and reversed them in the filter.

The REAL problem was the filter impeller, it had become gunged up and had almost stopped working. When I took it out and cleaned it and put it back I was amazed at the difference it made, at least 10X as much water throuput.

I can now see that the filter pump had virtually packed up, hence causing the oxygen problem, it would have probably been obvious to an experienced person, but to someone who didn't know any better

If you are a newbie forget the filter pads, take the impeller out and clean it!!!!

Opinions please?

Andy Watkins

 

[ProGolferCL6]

how are the fish...do they all still swim at the top of the tank....u said u have guppies and angelfish and they always swim near the top of the tank...

 

[tstenback]

Dear all,

I believe I have fixed my own problem. If there are any other newbies out there please read this post.....

Whilst changing some water I decided to clean the filter. I have heard over cleaning the filter is a bad idea, so I have not yet ever cleaned the filter. The actual filter pads were ok, cleaned them a bit and reversed them in the filter.

The REAL problem was the filter impeller, it had become gunged up and had almost stopped working. When I took it out and cleaned it and put it back I was amazed at the difference it made, at least 10X as much water throuput.

I can now see that the filter pump had virtually packed up, hence causing the oxygen problem, it would have probably been obvious to an experienced person, but to someone who didn't know any better

If you are a newbie forget the filter pads, take the impeller out and clean it!!!!

Opinions please?

Andy Watkins

Very good point. The impeller housing and well can get pretty grungy some times and a quick cleaning each time you do filter maintenance is a great way to avoid problems in this area. Glad you raised the point.

 

[SirMinion]

I have heard over cleaning the filter is a bad idea, so I have not yet ever cleaned the filter. The actual filter pads were ok, cleaned them a bit and reversed them in the filter.... I took [the impeller] out and cleaned it...

Remember to use tank water and never tap water when cleaning your filter. Tap water will kill al your lovely bacteria and you may get an ammonia spike... bye bye fishies.

 

[Bol]

So, how are the fish, any changes?

You mentioned that they were swimming near the top of the water, but were they 'gasping', too?

 

[andywatkins]

Hi all,

Yes they were swimming near the top and gasping for air somewhat.

They now largely aren't. They all go to the surface occassionally, but not very often now. I have found the guppies do often swim near the surface but the angels used to swim about mid hiehgt. Which is where they have gone back to.

All the fish seem fine, no casualties....

Biggest worry is the catfish, as they seem to be nocturnal it is difficult to ever see them eat anything. I have algae wafers and they are not interested in them. I have catfish pellets and Im not sure they are eating them or the other fish, and there isn't ever any flakes left in the bottom for them to eat when they come out, the others eat them all.

Every few days I put some frozen bloodworm in the tank, and I THINK they are eating some of these......

Thanks

Andy
PS Yes I only cleaned the filter in water from the tank, very good reminder though...

 

[Inchworm]

Hi andywatkins

What kind of catfish do you have?