Author Topic: Loosing fish (Read 13642 times) 37 replies

Matt · « **Reply #20 on:** March 23, 2020, 02:22:43 AM »

Have you been using any sprays/candles/similar in that room?

barneyadi · « **Reply #21 on:** March 23, 2020, 08:34:33 AM »

Quote from: Matt on March 23, 2020, 02:22:43 AM

Have you been using any sprays/candles/similar in that room?

Only thing I have used is little pots of water based acrylic paint for plastic models. Also built two stands from MDF which came ready to assemble. They do have a slight odour to them, but lost a fish or two before I got them.

jaypeecee · « **Reply #22 on:** March 23, 2020, 11:52:39 AM »

Quote from: jaypeecee on March 22, 2020, 04:52:27 PM

What else is in Tank 3 in the way of substrate, plants, wood, etc?

Hi @barneyadi

It is necessary to have the above missing information. And, in the event that you may have plants in your tank, do you use any plant fertilizers? Any lead strips weighting any plants down? Any artificial ornaments? We need to leave no stone un-turned, if you'll excuse the corny pun!

JPC

barneyadi · « **Reply #23 on:** March 23, 2020, 12:00:31 PM »

Quote from: jaypeecee on March 23, 2020, 11:52:39 AM

Quote from: jaypeecee on March 22, 2020, 04:52:27 PM
What else is in Tank 3 in the way of substrate, plants, wood, etc?

Hi @barneyadi

It is necessary to have the above missing information. And, in the event that you may have plants in your tank, do you use any plant fertilizers? Any lead strips weighting any plants down? Any artificial ornaments? We need to leave no stone un-turned, if you'll excuse the corny pun!

JPC

Hi

Just a sand substrate, a few plants and some resin and slate decorations. Not used fertilisers yet

fcmf · « **Reply #24 on:** March 23, 2020, 01:34:04 PM »

Quote from: barneyadi on March 23, 2020, 08:34:33 AM

Only thing I have used is little pots of water based acrylic paint for plastic models. Also built two stands from MDF which came ready to assemble. They do have a slight odour to them, but lost a fish or two before I got them.

On the basis of all the info we have so far, I'd be inclined to think this is stress-induced. The loss of a fish or two, and especially the use of even small amounts of this paint (unless the room has had its windows open for a considerable duration during and afterwards) and any banging/knocking involved in the building of the stands, could be more enough to induce sufficient stress to cause further fatalities. [I certainly know how my fish have reacted in the past to heavily/faster-footed visitors in the room, painting (took my goldfish a week to recover), the flicker of a non-scented candle, and even the sound of something carefully laid down nearby - jumpy for the remainder of the day at best, the week-long recovery at worst.]

It is altogether possible that these were a bad batch of fish but it's helpful to look for any other potential explanations and I'd think this is the strongest possibility we have yet.

jaypeecee · « **Reply #25 on:** March 23, 2020, 02:50:22 PM »

Hi Folks,

I'd be inclined to temporarily remove the resin decorations. I'm nervous about unnatural stuff in an aquarium. But, if necessary, pre-soak them for a good few days before adding to the tank. Just to be clear, how many Black Ruby Barbs were first added to the tank and how many died?

JPC

barneyadi · « **Reply #26 on:** March 23, 2020, 03:07:49 PM »

had 8, lost 1 very quickly, then everything was running smoothly but then lost 1 every 2 to 3 days and now 2 left.

The resin decorations I have had for a while, the slate ones are new but fish loss started before adding them. Was one reason I brought them as fish were slightly skittish and thought more hiding places were needed.

jaypeecee · « **Reply #27 on:** March 23, 2020, 04:59:41 PM »

Hi @barneyadi

I've run out of suggestions. It's never a satisfactory conclusion, is it?

Sorry but I am unable to help any further.

JPC

jaypeecee · « **Reply #28 on:** March 24, 2020, 05:47:32 PM »

Hi @barneyadi

I thought I'd run out of ideas but, last night, another train of thought trickled through my aged grey matter.

Have you done any chlorine measurements - of your tap water, your tank water or both? If so, could you let us have the figures for Tank 3, please?

JPC

barneyadi · « **Reply #29 on:** March 24, 2020, 09:19:42 PM »

Quote from: jaypeecee on March 24, 2020, 05:47:32 PM

Hi @barneyadi

I thought I'd run out of ideas but, last night, another train of thought trickled through my aged grey matter.

Have you done any chlorine measurements - of your tap water, your tank water or both? If so, could you let us have the figures for Tank 3, please?

JPC

Hi

How do I test for chlorine?

fcmf · « **Reply #30 on:** March 24, 2020, 09:51:34 PM »

The 5-/6-in-1 test strips (eg JBL, Tetra) have a chlorine test on them. However, you might find this thread and mention of a test useful: https://forums.thinkfish.co.uk/fishtank-filtration-and-cycling/tap-water-residual-disinfectants/msg48581/?topicseen#new

barneyadi · « **Reply #31 on:** March 24, 2020, 10:53:11 PM »

Quote from: jaypeecee on March 24, 2020, 05:47:32 PM

Hi @barneyadi

I thought I'd run out of ideas but, last night, another train of thought trickled through my aged grey matter.

Have you done any chlorine measurements - of your tap water, your tank water or both? If so, could you let us have the figures for Tank 3, please?

JPC

Will get a test. Water company says residual chlorine is 0.91 and residual chlorine free is 0.86. will get some rest strips to double check.

barneyadi · « **Reply #32 on:** April 09, 2020, 01:43:44 PM »

Hi All

So I am still oozing fish in my large tank, down to 1 now. Water tests are fine, done water changes etc and still hasn't helped. However, i have to plan for the worse, so if i loose my last fish, how can i keep cycle going. Got ammonia, so how much should i add?

This quiet time has also given me time to look at all my tanks. The guppy tank i am happy with, cant wait to add more once we can get out. The tank with the large piece of wood in, im just not happy with. i might change the wood for a smaller piece or some rock or a bit of both. Tank three, the large one could come down to if i loose my last fish. Was going to have Barbs in the tank but thinking i might go for a tetra tank, but not giving up on single fish just yet.

I can order fish online but will wait and have a longer think about plans etc.

Keep well everyone.

fcmf · « **Reply #33 on:** April 09, 2020, 04:20:01 PM »

Hi @barneyadi ,

Sorry to read about this. If the tank were fully stocked and then suddenly lost all the fish, I would imagine that, in this article https://forums.thinkfish.co.uk/fishtank-filtration-and-cycling/fishless-cycling-how-to-do-it/, you'd follow the guidance at 14 ie "If you can’t get to the shop as soon as the cycle has finished, add the one-third dose every 2 to 3 days to keep the bacteria fed, then do the big water change just before you go fish shopping." In your case, though, your tank will having been losing beneficial bacteria over time as fish have died, with only enough to support the fish you have rather than a tankful of fish. So, for that reason, I'd imagine that you might have to re-start a fishless cycle - but it's likely to go more quickly than previously if bacteria are dormant rather than completely dead, and especially if you can add in a little mature media from the other two tanks. Others with more experience of fishless cycles may be able to advise better than me, though.

Glad the guppy tank is going well. Looking forward to hearing what you decide to come up with for the other tanks in terms of scaping and inhabitants respectively.

Take care in the interim.

jaypeecee · « **Reply #34 on:** April 10, 2020, 10:03:50 AM »

Quote from: barneyadi on March 24, 2020, 10:53:11 PM

Will get a test. Water company says residual chlorine is 0.91 and residual chlorine free is 0.86. will get some rest strips to double check.

Hi @barneyadi

What were the results of your chlorine test(s)?

JPC

barneyadi · « **Reply #35 on:** April 10, 2020, 02:48:58 PM »

They were fine @jaypeecee

One of thing, I had taken sand out of one tank and left it in black sacks for about a month, could the sand be anything to worry about. Cant see why, but thought id ask.

Matt · « **Reply #36 on:** April 10, 2020, 08:42:36 PM »

It could be yes, is there any gas released when you disturb the substrate?

I’m not sure I would want to keep the cycle going as such in the tank... given what has been happening I would be tempted to strip it down and start again...

barneyadi · « **Reply #37 on:** April 10, 2020, 09:28:52 PM »

Quote from: Matt on April 10, 2020, 08:42:36 PM

It could be yes, is there any gas released when you disturb the substrate?

I’m not sure I would want to keep the cycle going as such in the tank... given what has been happening I would be tempted to strip it down and start again...

No gas released if I disturb the substrate.

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Loosing Fish

Loosing Fish

Author Topic: Loosing fish (Read 13642 times) 37 replies

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