gourami problems!!!

Kaddock

Well, I think the maracyn is helping the 38 gallon gourami tank, but the ulcerations are pretty severe. Is there any reason not to put salt in the tank with Maracyn Plus? I have hope for the large tank, but I hate to say that the ten gallon is still under quarantine. At this point this is just infuriating. I've literally tried ten plus medications on this tank (over the course of several months). My water quality is fine, and stepping up to two smaller changes a week doesn't seem to do much.

Unless you've got a better idea, I plan to freeze the overly diseased fish, and quarantine the unaffected ones and they will ultimately end up in my 28 gallon. Then I will strip this aquarium down and start from scratch. I'm just sick of it. No matter how well I take care of the tank, it is diseased. I also have never been able to relieve my algae problem, (though that is much better with the new light fixture) even with only eight hours of light a day and it is heavily planted. I am at my whits end. I have tried sooooo many different things for this tank. It is a money pit and is really annoying me.

Kaddock

Well, I've made some pretty serious changes... The problem is still there though! I am in the middle of one more Maracyn Plus treatment. Should I just keep treating until the problem is gone, or do you have another recommendation? It's hard to tell if it's even working. Oh the frustration.

On a happier note, I found a tiny little half inch long fish in my 38 gallon today, he looks like a little bandit! I have no idea how he got in there, or how long he's been there. Weird.

LasColinasCichlids

As far as diseases and medications go, I am useless.

But I read that you have an algae issue, and I thought it might be useful to point out that your high nitrates can contribute to large amounts of algae. (I too battle the war on algae in my smaller tank, while my larger one is okay.)

I agree that fish keeping can be expensive (gardening too lol), its when you find it unenjoyable that you should back out. Dont give up if you still love doing it. But it does seem there is always some sort of issue with any tank that requires money. lol

Hang in there.

Kaddock

Oh I will hang in, it's just super frustrating! I actually usually have close to 0 nitrates in my ten gallon, it's the 38 that usually has a higher level. Weird.

LasColinasCichlids

Yeah, both my tanks have the same water parameters (20ppm Nitrates, 0 nitrites, 0 ammonia) and the 5 gallon is the one with the algae issue verses the 29 gallon.

Good Luck with it all. And sorry you had to put down your gourami.