Why are some of my fish breathing so hard?

Bluydgrl

He said it is 231MPL and CACO3 total hardness..He didn't know what KH was.Neither do I?
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beaslbob

just looked it up

Caco3 in ppm is one measure of alk.

1ppm caco3=.056 dkh =.02 meg/l

231*.056=12.9dkh. Which is fine assuming I'm accurate.


my planted tanks with peat moss in the substrate, no added chemicals, no filters, no mechanical filtration had a kH of 4 degrees, gh of 9 degrees and a pH of over 8.

so to me with the low pH you have high carbon dioxide which is making it difficult for the fish to exhale. Therefore- the fast breathing. Getting fast growing plants to suck out the co2 will correct that situation. (I also presumed the plants you have are the slower growing one supposed to be used for plant eating fish. But that is really an assumption on my part. Supported my the low pH and fast breathing fish).

Additionally prime and other ammonia locks also lock up oxygen and can suffocate the fish.

still just my .02

Bluydgrl

My fish don't eat my plants.What plants would u recommend?I will go get them today.All my plants I have in my tank are in my Aquarium log.I don't know the names off the top of my head.Im going to do a 40% water change with Prime and Stability.Is this not good?
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beaslbob

What I start my tanks with is:

(10g)

4-6 bunches of anacharis (back of tank)

4 or so Vallisneria (grass like) back and down sides.

4 potted type plants like crypts and the like. (right and left of center)

1 amazon sword centerpiece.

with a 30 gallon you could double and be safe.

The amazon sword you can just one of. It is relatively expensive and gets large so you could even skip.

The small potted are also interesting and expensive so you might skip them also.

The vallisneria is somwwhat expensive but spread rapidily with runners which I find interesting and helps the tank ecosystem.

The anacharis is relatively inexpensive, a very fast grower, that rapidily conditions the tank. But can get "stringie" over a few months and when successful will require frequent pruning.

So overall you get a mix of fast and slow growers. So the fast ones rapidily condition the tank initially then the slower ones like the sword provide more long term balance and stability.

But there are other methods as well.

my .02

beaslbob

if you're actually going to plant you could just stick the plants in the substrate.

But if you have time and a container you could.

1) empty all the fish and water out of the tank right down the to substrate.
(of course save both the water and fish )

2) plant the plant in the substrate sticking in the air. (this will look really funny with all theplants all bent over).

3) then refill the tank by pouring the water over a dish.

4) then re-add the fish before the last of the water is re-added.

What that does in prevent stirring up the substrate creating a clear tank right from the start.

If you just stick the plants in the substrate you will stirr up all kinda of crud creating a cloud. In the case of a sand substrate the tank will be so cloudy you can't see 1 " into the tank. then two days later (with my no filter tanks) the tank is almost crystal clear.


my .02

Bluydgrl

My tank is planted
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beaslbob

I'm sorry I didn't mean to insult ya.

I'm sure you can pick and choose what would be best for your aquarium.

that was just what works for me.

Again sorry.

worth a lot more the my usual.


.02

Bluydgrl

Lol...u didn't insult me...I have most of those plants.I'm going to do a water change now and see how that goes
No worries at all..I appreciate your input
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beaslbob

And I appreciate your posting how things are going.

If you already have those plants perhaps the best thing to do is nothing and hopefully it will just get all better and better on it's own.

still learning for my

.02

Bluydgrl

I just did my 40% water change and added my Prime and Stability.I will see how that goes.My water test real good.I wish i could post pics on here and video's but i don't know how:(
I'm still learning also.I'm looking into a 75 gallon for Christmas.I'd be so happy