problems after water change

[gadazobe]

Today I cleaned out my big tank and did a 20% water change (same as I always do) Added my dechlorinator (same as I usually do) but now the fish are gasping for air from the surface (definitely not the same as usual). I've checked the water, no ammonia, no nitrite and low nitrate (same as usual) and I'm at a loss as to why they're gasping. Any ideas?

 

[smb]

I'm sorry to hear that.

Do you use pails or a python?

Could it be possible that some fumes or mist from household products are involved?


I'm not sure if this is the correct thing to do so soon afer a water change, but if it were me, I'd do another one right away. Like I said tho, I'm not sure if it's the right thing to do, hopefully others have better info for you.

 

[lordmoose]

Hmm several thoughts come to mind but all of them quite basic things so plz dont get offended....

-Aeration: Have you got enough air getting into the tank? Maybe add an airpump (gasping could also be caused by excess CO2)

-Have you checked the temp? Fish often gasp at the surface if the water's too hot

-Is there a risk of toxins? Many people don't realise just using a bugspray or spray furniture polish in the same room can cause toxins to build up in the aquarium.

Hope this helps.

 

[lordmoose]

I agree with SMB, if they're still gasping, if the factors I've listed have all been checked it's probably best to do another partial water change.

 

[gadazobe]

It's now 10.45 pm here and I've just done another partial water change - this time with slightly lower temp water - just a degree different. I've also turned off the lights in the tank to keep it cooler. We're in the middle of a very hot heat wave here so I'm hoping that by lowering the temp, the fish will feel more comfortable (not that they can feel the heat outside ) but maybe that'll do the trick.

Why would I be offended if you offer advice - if I didn't want it, I wouldn't ask

 

[smb]

Oh ok, I was under the impression that this was right after a water change so I thought there had to be a contamination somehow.

It's still strange that there is low dissolved oxygen so soon tho. Did you just add a lot of new activated carbon?

What was the temp of your tank and what fish are in it?

Put a couple bottles (plastic bottles) of frozen water in there if you think it's heat related. That lowers the temp at a slow rate.

 

[lordmoose]

know what you mean about the heatwave (assuming you're in the uk too) I've been putting icepacks in my tank

 

[lordmoose]

do what smb says. he knows his stuff

 

[smb]

do what smb says. he knows his stuff

Thank you for the compliment, lordmoose, but I only know from trial and error of what's happened in my time of fishkeeping. There's a lot more that I don't know, than I do.

 

[gadazobe]

I did the 1st water change at about 3.30 pm and from the beginning it didn't seem right. So I waited till now to do the other. I don't think it's contamination (unless the authorities have added something to the water coz of the heatwave) Haven't changed anything in the filters. It's a 5 foot long tank with African Cichlids and 3 Appolo sharks. I normally keep the temp at about 80 F but after the 1st change it went up to 84 F I've brought it down now to 82 F and coz it's night here and a little cooler, I'm hoping that it'll carry on going down. The tank doesn't get any natural light so it won't heat up coz of the sun, just the general temp in my appartment. Just switched on the light to see what's happening and they seem a little happier now, not so much gasping and swimming around a little.

 

[smb]

Sounds good. You would know better than any of us. I think the most important aspect of seeing what's wrong is actually knowing your fish's behavior and you can just tell when something is wrong.

Hopefully it's just a low dissolved oxygen problem and your last water change fixed it.

Keep us updated and let us know tomorrow how it looks.

 

[lordmoose]

do what smb says. he knows his stuff

Thank you for the compliment, lordmoose, but I only know from trial and error of what's happened in my time of fishkeeping. There's a lot more that I don't know, than I do.

True smb, that's how I've learnt; from past mistakes. Wish I'd found this forum years ago, but YW for the compliment

 

[gadazobe]

Thak goodness everything seems back to normal today. It's still very hot, but a little cooler than yesterday. Spent at least an hour last night cooling the water with ice packs and once it got down to 81 F things seemed fine and I could go to bed (by then it was well passed midnight). The temp in the tank now is just over 81F but I can't see any problems (shouldn't open my mouth to temptation ) I hope the heatwave breaks soon coz I can't stand it any more than my fish can - it's driving me

 

[bigfish]

I agree!!!! i'm from cardiff and the last week has been hell with the sun etc. what part are you from Gadazobe?

So far my tanks have been stable so far 27'C, been keeping a close eye on all 4 of them.

I feel sorry for the fish at the fish stores, most of the shops have turned out their lights in the tanks as it's been hitting 80F!!!! thats in the gold fish tanks!!!!!

 

[gadazobe]

I'm from Essex - Westcliff onSea. 80F isn't too bad - it about 27-28 C and it's what I keep the tanks at normally. It rained here early morning but now it's just as hot as ever and the humidity is very high.