Issues with Diseases, Stocking, Water and More. - Expert Help Needed.

Byron

And why are you using this? Sorry, can't remember.

Termato

It treats external and internal parasites. I used it on the Rams as a general treatment when I got them. They had caved in bellies and weren't eating. Chesh has similar issues and it worked for her. It worked for two of my Rams.

This one looks to have a swollen vent region right now. I will wait until tomorrow to see how he is doing.

LyzzaRyzz

Oh jeez! Lots of issues!
Ive always heard that AQ salt should always be used first, medications second. Im always hesitant to medicate.

I think you should really look into rehoming that lone ram..it sounds like you just dont have the room for him!

Termato

I had previously treated all the tanks with API Salt, only a half dose of what they recommended because I didn't want to over do it. I am hesitant to medicate too especially because of the amount of plants I have in the tanks.

I have also started doing 10% R.O. water with every water change in the 20 and 29 gallon tank. I also top off the water with only R.O. water. I am going to purchase a container that is cheaper to refill so I can do 20-25% R.O. water. I also need to get a gH and kH test strip to keep watch on that.

I think you may be right on that. If two of the Rams can get along in the 29, I can keep the Kribensis alone in the 20, and the Gourami in the 10 by himself as well. The two Rams in the 29 would constantly be guarding their territory but that tanks has many more hiding areas and line of sight breakers. I am also planning to add more plants to it as well.

All of the mollies and platys that I keep will be in the 20 gallon tank with the Kribensis.

I will keep one or two platys with the gourami in the 10?

thoughts?

Chesherca

It sounds like you're heading in the right direction. . . HOORAY for a plan! :)

I don't know anything about Kribs, or how well they or Gourami would do with the Platy. Hopefully someone can give some advice on this one - and hopefully it will all work out in the end! I guess it's *kind of* a good thing that the snake skipped town. Even though that sucks, at least you have another open tank!

What level is your nitrate reading now that you've been using the RO water - is it coming down to a reasonable number? I'm REALLY curious to know what your GH and KH readings are. The kits are sold on Amazon by API for only like $7ish. . .

You know. . . you never said. . . whatcha gonna do with that lonely little beat up ram? I know a chick who is obsessed with Bolivians and would take GREAT care of him! *bats lashes* She has an extra tank that she can toss him into if he should be picked on, and soft water with low nitrates, and plants. . . and LOVE! *giggle*

Chesherca

Oh! I also wanted to add (and maybe Byron could clarify this for both of us) that I've had to dose my tank with aquarium salt before, and looked into it. The dose that is recommended on the carton isn't a high enough salinity to disturb *most* aquarium plants. . . we have some of the same plants in our tanks, and some of THOSE can even survive in brackish conditions. Either way, my plants all came through just fine at the recommended dosage, and the dosage on the package IS a lowish dose compared to many recommendations I've seen. I don't know how much good cutting it in half would do for your tank. . . curious, though!

You know I'm new at this, and OBVIOUSLY not the most trustworthy of sources, so do your own research, lol! hopefully you won't ever have to use it again, but if you ever should - I just wanted to let you know that I had no problems!

And. . . I KNOW you love your plants. I understand. . . but you HAVE to put the fishies first. *nods* Would you rather have healthy fish with no plants, or beautiful plants with dead fish? Both, when possible, of course, but if you HAD to choose? Just sayin'

*hugs*

Byron

I will never use aquarium salt in my tanks even as a treatment. To be effective for most parasitic or protozoan issues, it has to be much stronger than what is good for plants or many (if not most) fish. There are usually better medications that will be more effective with less side effects. Salt has quite a negative impact on many fish, as my article on salt points out--and this is scientific fact, not my opinion.
Salt in the Freshwater Aquarium

Termato

He may have camallanus....maybe...if not then that would be a great idea. We will see.

Chesherca

Oh no. . . no no no! :( Poor little thing. Why do you think so?

Byron - thanks for clarifying that! I'll read the article.

Termato

I can see red inside of their vents. I am not going to do anything just yet because I can't be certain. I am going to keep an eye on all of them and make sure their healthy.

I think another week of quarantine for the 2 Rams in the 20 should be enough until I can move them into the 29?

Then I can move the Kribensis into the 20 and the Gourami back into the 10. The quarantined Ram at that point would either go into the 4 gallon QT bucket OR to the new home Chesh can provide...:(

Thoughts?