Sick Fish? (Singular Not Plural)

[andyj986]

There's the problem. When you change out the filter wool for new, you're tossing all the good bacteria that controls your ammonia. Same with the carbon bags, but you shouldn't even be using carbon bags on a regular basis unless you're in the process of removing medication.

Every time you replace the bags you are in essence starting the cycle all over again. Well, not quite that drastic because you have some ceramics and bio balls, but generally you're only supposed to rinse out the floss and replace gradually when it starts to fall apart.

I took a glance at your video, and I'm hoping you have euthanized the poor fish.

Also, are you planning to graduate to bigger and bigger tanks as the goldfish grow?

Im not doubting your advise, but that brings a question to my attention, If i'am tossing out the good bacteria that controls the ammonia, why does my ammonia test kit (manufactured by "API - Aquarium Pharmaceuticals", Mars Fishcare North America) tell me that the ammonia levels are constantly at 0 ppm or in the yellow color? And all of the other fish showing no signs of illness, i dont understand how the logic works. Im not trying to be a pain in the rear, just trying to learn more and find out what happened to this fish in particular, so if i have made a mistake somewhere, and i dont doubt that i have, i know where i went wrong and not to do it again.

Also, just to clarify, i dont need to use the carbon bag, any longer? Only when starting up and cycling a new tank? correct?

And, in regards to rinsing out the wool, i have been doing this process (replacing the wool media with new) since the first initial "start up" of my tank, and i havent had any trouble with this before.

 

[This Old Spouse]

I shouldn't have said "There's the problem" because that's not completely true. But many times on this forum that has proven correct. I think this particular problem has to do with this particular fish. Maybe it's old, maybe it had some other kind of problem that the other fish didn't have.

But you don't need the carbon for everyday use as I mentioned, and the floss should only be changed as I detailed.

 

[andyj986]

I shouldn't have said "There's the problem" because that's not completely true. But many times on this forum that has proven correct. I think this particular problem has to do with this particular fish. Maybe it's old, maybe it had some other kind of problem that the other fish didn't have.

But you don't need the carbon for everyday use as I mentioned, and the floss should only be changed as I detailed.

Thanks for your reply i will take that into consideration, although it didnt quite help with the understanding of my questions

 

[This Old Spouse]

Sorry for any confusion. I've answered too quickly, all because of an injury to my thumb which makes it painful to type!

I think you're doing fine with the media you have in your filter. The ceramics and the bio-balls harbor a great deal of your good bacteria. When I saw that you were replacing the filter wool instead of just rinsing it out and reusing it, my internal alarm went off. In my tanks, even though I also have the ceramic media, I also have filter wool to "polish" the water and catch any tiny particles that would normally get past the other media. The bacteria lives in the wool as well as the other media, so I just rinse it out with water changes and put it back, until it starts to literally fall apart. Then I'll stuff what's left into a new filter bag and leave that for a time until the bacteria has taken up residence in the new bag. I tend to over-filter everything, and I'm never comfortable with tossing away any established bacteria for fear of initiating an ammonia or nitrite spike.

Carbon is really only useful for a few days, which is why it's good to remove any leftover medications in a tank after treatment. It should then be tossed after those few days.

Did that help at all?

 

[andyj986]

This Sick Fish has been Humanely Euthanized, he/she didnt deserve to carry on this way, especially not eating and being somewhat lifeless on the bottom of the tank anyways. I should of done it earlier but i had hope i could maybe save him/her. And has been disposed of thoughtfully.

Im still open to suggestions to what the cause of this may be, as id hate to do this again

R.I.P little buddy

 

[sausagewinkle]

 

[andyj986]

Sorry for any confusion. I've answered too quickly, all because of an injury to my thumb which makes it painful to type!

I think you're doing fine with the media you have in your filter. The ceramics and the bio-balls harbor a great deal of your good bacteria. When I saw that you were replacing the filter wool instead of just rinsing it out and reusing it, my internal alarm went off. In my tanks, even though I also have the ceramic media, I also have filter wool to "polish" the water and catch any tiny particles that would normally get past the other media. The bacteria lives in the wool as well as the other media, so I just rinse it out with water changes and put it back, until it starts to literally fall apart. Then I'll stuff what's left into a new filter bag and leave that for a time until the bacteria has taken up residence in the new bag. I tend to over-filter everything, and I'm never comfortable with tossing away any established bacteria for fear of initiating an ammonia or nitrite spike.

Carbon is really only useful for a few days, which is why it's good to remove any leftover medications in a tank after treatment. It should then be tossed after those few days.

Did that help at all?

Yes, that makes perfect sense now, thankyou i appreciate your time