Methayleneblue

[matty.G]

i have recently got a tank complete with fish but no water. p.s this is my first time, so i cycled my tank for 4 weeks
then introduced the fish but some of my neon tetras have fin rot and fungal groath.
So my friend gave me some methaylene blue i am now a month later and my water is still blue i have done several water changes but dont want to do to many are my fish in any danger. any answer is welcome.

 

[Reyn]

try a carbon filter that should remove the colour

 

[jollysue]

fresh carbon

 

[lilfishie]

carbon filter should clear it

 

[Glod]

Are you sure it's the water and it hasn't stained the tank ? If you've done a water change I don't see how the water can still be coloured.

As for too many water changes I don't believe there is any such thing, as long as the replacement water is dechlorinated in advance so the paramaters stay stable.

You could easily do 25% - 40% a day for a few days with no risk to the actual fish. I've done 80% water changes as one-offs after medicating before with no ill effects on the fish. Just make sure if you change a large % that the dechlorinated water is at the same temperature to minimise any shock on the fish.

 

[matty.G]

try a carbon filter that should remove the colour

thanks very much

 

[Maxsmom]

Actually, on a cycled tank... you CAN do too many water changes. 25% weekly changes is recommended with 25% gravel cleaning also done weekly. Any more can upset the balance of the cycled tanks and the "good-guy" bacteria that's eating up the ammonia and nitrites. If there's no ammonia and nitrites from too frequent changes... there will be nothing for them to eat and they can eventually die off. For tanks that get 100% water changes... then yes... you can never do it too often (unless more than once a day.)

Metheylene blue should have been at least diluted to almost clear by now with the partial water changes... and I'm not sure about adding carbon to your filter as I think carbon doesn't mix well with the good bacteria that's keeping your cycle?? Not sure how that works... you may have to reseed your tank after putting carbon in your filter with either BioSpira or existing media from another established/disease-free tank.

 

[jollysue]

and I'm not sure about adding carbon to your filter as I think carbon doesn't mix well with the good bacteria that's keeping your cycle?? Not sure how that works... you may have to reseed your tank after putting carbon in your filter with either BioSpira or existing media from another established/disease-free tank.

Sorry you are misinformed. Carbon doesn't affect the bacteria a bit. As a matter of fact the bacteria will establish colonies in the carbon media. The only negatives with carbon I am aware of are removal of some meds and removal of some plant additives.
It is recommended that not all media be changed at once, but that a seed of old carbon media be left to establish new colonies. It is some anti biotic meds that kill the bacteria, and carbon that removes the meds.

 

[Glod]

If there's no ammonia and nitrites from too frequent changes... there will be nothing for them to eat and they can eventually die off.

I agree with what you say there Maxsmom, but even if you change 100% of the water, at worst you will lose *some* bacteria to die off. The fish remaining in the tank will still be producing waste so there will never be 0.

I wouldn't advise large changes every day, but 25% is not too large in my opinion. At least in the short term to get the colour out of the water.

 

[Maxsmom]

Sorry you are misinformed. Carbon doesn't affect the bacteria a bit. As a matter of fact the bacteria will establish colonies in the carbon media. The only negatives with carbon I am aware of are removal of some meds and removal of some plant additives.
It is recommended that not all media be changed at once, but that a seed of old carbon media be left to establish new colonies. It is some anti biotic meds that kill the bacteria, and carbon that removes the meds.

Well... I belong to another fish-keeping forum with members who have many years of experience behind them and the carbon is recommended to be removed while cycling... it is not required except for removing meds and additives in the water... and carbon often kills the good-bacteria in BioSpira and that will affect the cycling process... the good bacteria live on any part of the filter media, the gravel, plants, decorations. My tanks are cycled and doing well, without the carbon.

 

[Miss Dib Dabs]

I use carbon on occassion, usually when my catfish have decided to throw a party and the water looks like liquidised silt. It has never (can't stress that enough) never killed off the bacteria in my filters. And I use a lot of filters! Internals, externals, wet/dry filters, trickles filters.....you name it, I suspect I have one running somewhere. Carbon does not kill off the good bacteria. The only damage carbon can do is if it is left in over a long period without being changed. Then it can leak backinto the tank the toxins it originally removed (from medications or suchlike) and that can cause adverse effects on the fish and the stability of the tank. So, so long as the carbon is removed or replaced after two weeks all will be just fine.
P.

 

[jollysue]

Well... I belong to another fish-keeping forum with members who have many years of experience behind them and the carbon is recommended to be removed while cycling... it is not required except for removing meds and additives in the water... and carbon often kills the good-bacteria in BioSpira and that will affect the cycling process... the good bacteria live on any part of the filter media, the gravel, plants, decorations. My tanks are cycled and doing well, without the carbon.

''

Rubbish

Antibiotics kill bacteria. Carbon removes antibiotics.

Of course bacteria don't need carbon. And tanks cycle w/o carbon. What's that got to do with the claim that carbon kills bacteria?

Go back and ask your other forum again. I think you are confused--or they are confused. I have cycled many many tanks with carbon media from other filters and BiroSpira! If the carbon killed off the bacteria then the tanks would not cycle, I would get ammonia and nitrite spikes, and my fish would die. Give us all a break. Do your research before you mislead and misinform others.

I have been using carbon filters for all the time I have kept fish, I have nearly 700 usg of water in 20 tanks. I have the first Goldie that got me started in fishkeeping. Get a clue.

Hey! Hi, Miss Dib Dabs! Long time no see! How's all yours in London? Lovely Betta.