YesRushGen
New Member
Well, I guess it was just a matter of time.
Background: I have two tanks, a 20 long (pH 7.2) and a 10 (pH 7.0). Both are fully cylced: the 20 using 12 zebra danios, and the 10 using 7 danios. Current readings are Ammonia = 0, NitrIte = 0, NitrAtes = 5ppm.
Last week, the 10 gallon began growing brown algae. To deal with this, I decided to get some Otto Cats over the weekend. I bought two, and one died within the next 24 hours - I just chalked it up to stress from the move. In addition, I've read that Otto Cats are just difficult to acclimate.
So, last night, I decided to buy 2 more for a total of three, thinking that if one didn't make it that I'd still have two left.
After spending about 45 minutes adjusting them to my water, I introduced them. Less than an hour later, I find that both of the new arrivals are STUCK to the Aquaclear's filter intake. I dislodged both of them, still alive, but they both died within minutes.
Now, here's where things get weird. About 15 minutes after removing the deceased, I look in to check on the original Otto. What do I see? One of the original Zebra Danios floating about the tank! I immediately removed him to a container. Although still alive, he was floating upside down, occasionally wriggling about.
After another 30 minutes or so, I go to check on the original Otto. He was dead.
So, in short, I bought two fish, and lost FOUR. There were no visible signs of any disease upon examining the deceased. I was really worried that I was going to suffer a rapid die off of the whole tank. Fortunately this morning, all seems normal. Any clue what happened?
Now I'm left with nothing to eat the brown algae, and clearly I'm not having luck with Otto Cats. Are there any other SMALL (not snails) easters of brown algae that I mayt have better luck with?
thanks,
Kelly
Background: I have two tanks, a 20 long (pH 7.2) and a 10 (pH 7.0). Both are fully cylced: the 20 using 12 zebra danios, and the 10 using 7 danios. Current readings are Ammonia = 0, NitrIte = 0, NitrAtes = 5ppm.
Last week, the 10 gallon began growing brown algae. To deal with this, I decided to get some Otto Cats over the weekend. I bought two, and one died within the next 24 hours - I just chalked it up to stress from the move. In addition, I've read that Otto Cats are just difficult to acclimate.
So, last night, I decided to buy 2 more for a total of three, thinking that if one didn't make it that I'd still have two left.
After spending about 45 minutes adjusting them to my water, I introduced them. Less than an hour later, I find that both of the new arrivals are STUCK to the Aquaclear's filter intake. I dislodged both of them, still alive, but they both died within minutes.
Now, here's where things get weird. About 15 minutes after removing the deceased, I look in to check on the original Otto. What do I see? One of the original Zebra Danios floating about the tank! I immediately removed him to a container. Although still alive, he was floating upside down, occasionally wriggling about.
After another 30 minutes or so, I go to check on the original Otto. He was dead.
So, in short, I bought two fish, and lost FOUR. There were no visible signs of any disease upon examining the deceased. I was really worried that I was going to suffer a rapid die off of the whole tank. Fortunately this morning, all seems normal. Any clue what happened?
Now I'm left with nothing to eat the brown algae, and clearly I'm not having luck with Otto Cats. Are there any other SMALL (not snails) easters of brown algae that I mayt have better luck with?
thanks,
Kelly
I don't want to scare you, but if i was you i'd do some water changes over the next few days.
