[Forestfish]

Everyone is dead except rainbow shark and goost shrimp. I unknowingly overstocked taink at one time and they all got sick and passed away a week later disspite my efforts to save them. A hard lesson learned. I have a few questions now. Do I need to treat the tank before I SLOWLY introduced new fish ? I have done many water changes and now have parameters under control and at safe levels. Shrimp appear to be fine also the shark is showing no white spots or white cotton things on it. I really feel sad about what happened and I don't want to medicate water that doesn't have any fish in it if I don't have to.

 

[Romad]

Sorry to hear about that

Do you know if they died of an actual disease or was it water quality?

It sounds like it could be a combination of both if you had an ammonia/nitrIte spike AND spotty fish.

 

[Forestfish]

I'm sure it was both.

 

[Romad]

The comment that concerns me is the white cotton things :shock: That could be fungal or secondary bacterial infections.

Can you give more details about the actual symptoms? Did you have an Ich outbreak as well (fish look salt sprinkled)?

 

[cyclesnipas]

Something very similar happened to a friends tank. His fish got white cottony growths about the head and eyes, wiped out his entire tank in less than 24hrs. I found it hard to believe and thought it was a fluke until I read your post. Crazy. Anyway, He chocked it up to overstocking and water quality issues. Hes currently cycling the tank, doing water changes and keeping water parameters in check before restocking. Whether that will solve the infection issue or not is still in the air. I hope everything works out!

 

[Forestfish]

Yes salt sprinkled, also some had cotton like stuff growing on them, some attached to their bodies and some looked to be coming out of their gills. The nitrite spike happened overnight and it seemed like every time I did a water change it did more harm. I'm sure I must of had made them all venerable to sickness with the nitrate and nitrite spike that I could not get under control. I Totally messed up and should have done more research on setting up a new tank. Made my wife cry when they were dying in front of her (pregnant and emotional with a sensitive heart towards all creatures) while I was at work. I'm very disappointed in myself and now want to make sure I do the right thing. It's a 36 gal bowfront , I did 2 5gal and 3 10gal water changes.

 

[cyclesnipas]

Its unfortunately a mistake many, including myself, have made. Getting excited with a shiny new tank, buying as many fish as we can too soon causing the tank to go toxic cuz it cant keep up. Dont beat yourself up over it. These things happen, even to seasoned aquarists. Ive had aquariums for 20 something years and everyday is a new learning experience. Dont let it get you down.

 

[Forestfish]

I definitely got excited when I got this tank, it's really cool . So I don't know where to go from here. Is my tank now sick also ? Do I need to do anything more than maybe change out some water again ? If changed again how much do you recommend ? Can I put a few fish in it ? Why does it seem like the Rainbow shark is ok? Shark looks lonely and has been hiding all day, can't find it. Thank you all for your help.

 

[Tolak]

Post the results of water tests in numbers, this gives us more to go off of. This will also give direction as to if & how much water should be changed. I would just observe the current inhabitants for a while, make sure things have settled down before adding any more fish.

 

[Forestfish]

Ok, I will do it right now. I have the Tetra easystrips. Will post shortly

 

[Forestfish]

Ammonia .05
Nitrate 20
Nitrite 5.0
Hardness 300
Chlorine 0
KH 300
pH 8.4

 

[Tolak]

While strips aren't the most reliable compared to liquid tests that nitrite is jacked if it's anywhere near correct. That would be a concern, what sort of dechlorinator/water conditioner are you using for the replacement water? Woodstock is supplied by wells, not on the Chicago water system, so the hardness & pH are probably pretty accurate. Nitrate isn't a concern, the ammonia level may be due to the inaccuracies of the strips. If it were me I'd be doing a 50% water change daily until that nitrite & ammonia come down, and consider picking up a liquid test kit for ammonia, nitrite, and perhaps nitrate.

 

[Romad]

Agree with Tolak. Large water changes with triple or more doses of a conditioner like Prime with each water change (since you have fish remaining in the tank) until you can get those levels to zero for the ammonia and nitrIte.

Hang in there and don't give up or despair. You've already learned quite a bit from your fist mistake.

 

[Forestfish]

I've been using Tetra AquaSafe, 2.5 ml per 5gal . I still have not seen the rainbow shark today. Is there a better conditioner I should try ? I will do a 50% water change after the storm passes. I am really greatful for the helpful advice.

 

[Forestfish]

If there is a better conditioner I could use I will go get it now. Do you have a recomendation fir a better test kit I will pick that up also. I'm pretty sure my shark is also passed. He is not in his favorite spot and we should have seen it by now. All that's left is a few ghost shrimp. Doing my best to keep my spirits up but this has been a pricey and sad lesson.

 

[rsskylight04]

So sorry to hear of your dreadful experience. On the bright side, you have learned from what has happened and I'm sure you won't repeat. So many people blame disease for problems that are actualy caused by poor water quality. Follow the excellent advice of romad , water changes and water testing. If you can access some mature filter material add it to your filter . It will help jumpstart the bacteria that will help stabilize your tank. Good luck!