Trickle system & sick fish (platties & guppies)

[desley]

Hi,

I previously posted this in the beginner section but maybe it should be here ...

I am sort of a beginner ... 7 months .. but still trying to learn how to look after my tropical tank correctly. I only just found this forum and have learned heaps already. THANKS>

Now I can ask some questions and possibly get better advise than from the pet shop and help some of my fish that are a little unwell.

I hope this is not too long but I hope to cover everything so I can then go about fixing the problems.

OK .. I have a 20 gallon tank with a trickle system. After 7 months I have only replaced the carbon a week or so ago. I cleaned it regularly with water changes but didn't know to change the pad.

Anyway, what I have done now is the following:

Replaced the Carbon pad - then water runs over noodles .. then onto another pad .. which I have replaced with a phosphate pad .. then over to another pad which I used plain filter wool and then the final stage over noodles again into the tank. Do you think this is the best types of pads to use with the trickle system.

I must admit the fish are looking happier since I did this and I also added "Easy-Life" which you can read about here www.easylife.nl .. and this has gotten rid of all the medications etc I have been using to try to treat my fish symptoms. They also seem to like that .. except for a few sick looking ones.

Now .. maybe the fish were sick from my lack of changing filter pads and or our dreaded heatwave - 40+ days (105 F) - 30 nights (85 F) for about 3 - 4 days following weeks of 37 days (100 F). My problems did seem to start after this really bad burst of heat .... some friends lost their fish too.

OK I have platties, guppies & danios.

All danios are happy, not dying and generally as they always are.

Guppies seem to get tired looking, possible fin rot and die apart from a male & female. Sometimes they look like they are slumping over (only the females).

Platties - One white one has a red/orange streak through it's top fin. It did have a tear there but that has healed and the streak does seem to be growing under the skin. Thats where I was thinking Septicemia after reading the forum. I do not have a vet who deals in fish I can go to. Only pet shop medications.

A couple of other platties died .. a few look fine (all 1-2 month old babies are doing well) .. but some of the adults are not. One in particular has white patches on it's face. It doesn't look like it's growing outwards. More inwards. Another is just plain tired and thin looking. Not just under her belly... thin all over and sits towards the back of the tank.

They seem to flash on things in the tank but not excessively. Even the healthier looking platties (except babies) have flashed. I have previously treated the tank (half dose due to babies) with Wardley Promethyasul. Also with multi-cure (again half dose). Done extra gravel cleans and water changes but wasn't changing those filter pads !!

What should I do next. Do you think I have TB or Septicemia in the tank?

Should I treat again with multi-cure or Wardley Promethyasul.

As Easy-Life takes out all medications and I have added it today .. will medication be effective.

I always took out the carbon (although probably nothing was left in my old one) when I treated.

I really need to know what best to do as I am mixed up ...

Sorry again it's so long but better to give a complete history and possibly if someone has some time they can work out what's up. Maybe I am best to leave it all alone and see what happens now easy life is in and filter pads are changed.

I can also take some photos of them to show anyone who might know .. but don't know if I am allowed to post photos on this forum.

Thanks so much
Desley

 

[jams.alaskan]

Yes, you can post photos. That would probably help folks help you. I'll let the experts come by and work on a solution now.

ALASKA

 

[desley]

Hi thanks.

I posted my pictures in the Aquarim photos section. Do I do that or post them here?

Thanks Desley

 

[babyfish]

To be honest with you I do not use carbon in my filters and tanks at all if I can help it. they will leach out all of the toxins they have removed from your water once they are full.
The best thing you can add to your tank is fresh water on a regular basis, water changes can do far more good than people realise.
Adding some Melafix may well be advisable as it is antiseptic and anti-bacterial.
Cut down on the food that you feed, most people overfeed thier fish on a daily basis, a fishes stomach is the same size as its eye, so a flake or 2 per fish will go a long way

 

[desley]

Hi,
Thanks.
Maybe I should just use a normal filter pad or wool is place of the carbon pad.
I need to use 3 pads .. the 1st one catches all the yuck which i clean regularly in the fish water .. then it runs over the ceramic noodles onto the 2nd pad .. and then over to the other part of the filter through the 3rd pad and finally over the last stage of noodles into the water.

I lost one platy and the other 2 looked like they have picked up a bit. I have been doing extra water changes .. and gravel changes (not sure how many times you should do gravel cleans) and adding salt.

They all look really happy as the Easy life filter media really cleared all the medications etc out of the water. It is so clear !!

I am just leaving it be at the moment with the extra water changes and adding the salt which each change to see what happens.

Have you had much success with Melafix. I have heard of it but never used it. Is it as toxic as medications .. or can you use it if it isn't for the cause without any problems.

Did add 2 female guppies (I know you should not add fish) but my pool female was getting so tired from the male guppy I had to give her a break. I do not have anywhere else to put him or her. A bowl seems really cruel so I will see if they survive in the water.

We also lost power quite a few times a few weeks ago due to thunderstorms. The power went out for hours on end so the filter was off and I have read that this can destroy your good bacteria. It was the same time we were having heatwaves. I have a feeling that all this combined might have stressed my poor fish out and not something I was doing. Hope so.

Thanks
Desley