water emergency

[turnip]

So I'm all confused, I set up my first tank on April 18th, got the temp all set (24c) and everything was fine, checked pH level, which was perfectly fine (7.5), made the tap water safe etc. From following the instructions in the test kit I bought, on day 3 I added my fish, 2 lion heads, and added the Filter start solution. I followed the daily instructions for the 2 weeks it said it would take for the tank to mature. Gradually the nitrite test results became less pink - as instructed to aim for a totally clear test I was hopeful all was going well. On the 27th April my nitrite test results were still coming back in the region of 0.25 mg/l to 0.1 mg/l. During this time I noticed one fish (Squishy! -dont laugh!) appeared rather more bouyant than he should, resting at the top of the tank in the corner alot, seemed as though when at the bottom he was being dragged up and couldn't help it. I immediatly thought of swimbladder. I conducted a 25% water change, treated the new water with fresh start, checked the pH (still fine) but the nitrite was slightly more pink, I estimated approx 0.5 mg/l.

I bought interpet swim bladder solution and added the first dose on sunday May 2nd, along with a table spoon of Doc Wellfish aqurium salts. Apparently the swim bladder treatment is of 4 doses added on day 1,4,8 and 12. In the booklet with the medication it said to remove the carbon filter medium from the aquarium so I took out the black carbon sponge (as my tank has a Juwel compact super filter system, 1 fine blue sponge, one course blue, the black carbon sponge and a white filter pad). It also said to take out the zeolite (ammonia remover) but I dont know what that is?! I also added the filter care (no. 1 filter start) solution as it said it was still safe to use. Today 4th May I checked the nitrite levels again and was alarmed to see that the results were bright deep pink- 4.0 mg/l the worst result I've had, and since it was supposed to be decreasing over time I dont know whats going on why its suddenly leaped.

I dont know what to do, is this result because I've added the salts and medication? Is it because I took the black carbon sponge out? Since nitrites are harmful I wouldn't have expected the levels to rise when adding disease treatment. I dont know how to fix this problem.

I have no live plants in my tank, I only have 2 fish at the moment as I was establishing the tank properly before introducing anymore. The tank measures 24x12x12 and is therefore approx 50.5 litres (5.5 gal) so its not an over stocking problem either! There's nothing dead in there (as I read from another post). I increased the aeration by adding a bubble diver as the medication said it affects the oxygen carrying capacity of the water. I'm all out of ideas. HELP!!

 

[cation]

Hi there, and welcome to the board. Sounds like you've got a bit of a situation there. First off, are your fish lion head goldfish? If so, the temp is a bit too high for them. From what I understand, they prefer a maximum temperature of 22C, and will probably be happiest and healthiest with the temp between 16-20C. They are not really tropical fish, but coldwater fish.


Also, goldfish require even MORE space per body inch than tropical fish. You tank is a little too small for your two, and certainly will not accomidate any more fish.


As for the spike in nitrites - many medications kill off the biological filtration you have been working so hard to grow. This can mean a major setback in the cycling process of the tank. what are the active ingredients of the meds you put in?

 

[turnip]

Hey, thanks for the reply...

My fish are lionhead goldfish, I figured they were cold water fish but the guy in the shop said they'd be happy at about 24 c, I had a look on the net searching for what condition they prefer and all the sites that listed conditions for them said approx 24 c as well, which is why I did it at that temp - I didnt wanna boil my fish so I tried checking it all out first, guess I'm wrong though as what you said was my first thought.

As for the active ingredients : all it says on the box/bottle is 'contains formaldehyde'! Sounds like I'm pickling them now, wasn't my intention to embalm them. It's interpet aquarium treatment number 13 swimbladder treatment if that helps?

My flatmate is currently cycling her new tank as the second fish in mine (Pudge!) who incidentally seems perfectly fine if not a bit of a bully, is being taken out and put into hers (for the bullying reason). When I bought the tank the info on it lead me to believe it could stock 4" - 2x2" fish initially with a maximum of 12", (I assume the " means inches?) I'm new at this...

Its quite distressing seeing the fish struggling, though is eating fine and only seems to go up to the corner in the evenings, I really want to sort him out poor little guy. Pudge will be moving out soon, so I guess that might help as well.

From reading some of the other posts on here I was gonna do another 25% water change to try and reduce the nitrite level, but wont that dilute the medicationI've put in and effect the treatment? Also, how often should I add the salts?

Cheers,

 

[cation]

Hmmm...Y'know, I think we need to get this post moved to coldwater fish and ponds. All I keep at this point are tropicals, and my golfish knowledge is limited. I'd hate to give you bad advice about the meds and such. Also, perhaps someone with more goldfish knowledge can advise you on stocking! I'm not convinced that moving the healthy fish is the solution - being moved about too much can cause our fish to become ill, and I'd hate to see you with two sickies on your hands!