Strange Fish Behavior - Is This Normal?

[m1ndless]

Maybe it's been awhile since I have owned fish, but my platys seem to be acting odd.

My setup is a 37g Tall Tank with Whisper "Bio-Bag" Filters and a Aeration Pump.

First, when everything is on (filters and pump) the fish seem normal, except a few of them sometimes swim up and down along the glass, I think it's cause they can see their reflection, but I am not sure, is this normal?

Also, when I turn the bubbles off at night (air pump is loud) the fish will congregate near the top of the tank, and it looks like they are taking little drinks or something, but they only do it for a little bit and not all of them do it, when I get up in the morning they aren't doing it, it seems to only happen right after I turn off the bubbles..

So is this normal or is something wrong?

[siymdapolio]

Ok swimming on the glass is normal exploring their environment my new fish is doing that(BUT the unnormal thing is if they are itching at themselves)

As for the airstone i would keep it running all the time. I have a question for you is it a two air output airpump??

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

If they were staying at the surface doing that all night then I'd say they were suffering from oxygen deprivation, however since they are not doing it for long I'd say that's not the issue. If they are acting fine after a short time and then are back to normal in the morning I'd say nothing is really wrong, just fish behaving oddly.

[siymdapolio]

as for the nose and if you had a dual airoutput on the airpump, make sure you have hose on both of the outputs. Will significantly reduce the noise of your airpump.... I do it :thumb:

[MandyL]

They are probably gulping for air because of bad water conditions in your uncycled tank. What are your Ammonia and Nitrite at?

I would leave the air pump on all night just to do everything possible to get them through the cycle.

[siymdapolio]

did nott know tank is uncycled you need to be doing water changes to get your toxins down asap!

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

Ah, that would make sense. I didn't realize this tank was still cycling. That being the case then Mandy is right on.

[m1ndless]

Water Changes? What Why? How much water should I change out? I am loosing about an inch of water each week but I have been filling it back up with store bought distilled water.

The fish have been in there for about 10 days, water is clear as can be, and fish seem to be doing fine, but what do you guys suggest?

The fish dart up and down along the glass, only 2-3 of them do it and they do it a few times a day, most of the time they just follow who ever is in the room, if I am on my bed they seem to kinda hang out on one side of the tank "watching" me - can fish even see out of the tank?!

I will buy another nitrate and ammonia test tonight after work.

[MandyL]

Yep they can see out and they will watch people.

While you are cycling you will probably need a daily water change - around 20%. Why are you using distilled water? It has absolutely no nutrients and your fish will die if you use it exclusively. Just use tap water but make sure you use a water conditioner that removed chlorine/chloramine etc.

Get the test kits - you should have tests for Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate. Let us know the numbers and we'll see how you are doing.

[m1ndless]

I was told my hard water was bad for the tank, so I was using distilled, but I will just use the tap from now on.

My ammonia is .2ppm but dropped a little today, but it was at 0ppm before I added 3 fish last night.

[smoochxoxo]

You can use distilled but sparingly. I use a mix of distilled water and tap. I condtion the tap water like normal then mix distilled with it. Usually a 60/40 mix distilled being the 60%.

If you do use distilled exclusivly there is a prduct that you can get that will add nutrients back to the water. Most people use R/O water instead of distilled.
Also if you have been using dilstilled all along adding tap gallons at a time with your water changes might flex your parameters. Do this gradually if you decide to go back to tap. A stable water environment is key and popping from one thing to another will most likely cause your ph to go way up at an unsafe rate.

Water changes are key, when water evaporates it leaves the toxins, (ammonia, nitrites and Nitrates) behind. Water changes you are removing the water and toxins. When you do a water change only syphon the water and try not to disturb the substrate(gravel). Don't wipe anything down.

Also try to feed less. Most people don't realize that the amount they feed really is too much. For a small fishy like a neon or similar 1 crushed up flake is more than enough for 1 fish maybe even 2 or 3 fish. Their bellies are about the size of their eyeball. Use that as a guide in how you feed. Less is more. Keep an eye on what they consume, if it is all gone in seconds then maybe 1 or two more crushed up flakes.

Don't add more fish to the tank when you are cycling either. I know it is hard not to do but let your beneficial bacteria catch up to what you have already. Keeping your ammonia and NitrItes low is key to the life of these fish, adding more fish will add more pee and poo and adding more ammonia, which if you are in a cycle the bacteria that 'feeds' on this ammonia can't keep up.

Sorry for the lengthy post. I hope I didn't confuse you. But these are things I have experienced recently so hopefully it will help you get these fish through the cycle.
GL
hugs

[m1ndless]

My water is evaporating quite quickly, is there any way to stop this?

I changed out about 20% of the water yesderday using only tap water.

[smoochxoxo]

I think the more surface turbulance like from an air stone or your filter splashing on to the water surface would give you a greater chance of the water evaporating. I know that when it was dryer weather my water evaporated a bit faster but then I ended up doing smaller water changes 2x a week instead of just replacing the water.
There is really no way to stop it just make sure you keep up with water changes and not just replace the water that is lost. Maybe smaller changes of 10-15% two times a week would be better?
GL

[m1ndless]

I will try to change it 2-3 times a week. I have a 32oz cup that I have been using, I took 10 full cups out and filled up with 14 cups (lost water evap).

The fish seem to be doing great, and with this last water change the ammonia dropped a little too, its closer to .01ppm or whatever, its out of the stress zone.

[smoochxoxo]

good deal...it may take a little longer for a complete cycle but it will be worth it in the end. The fish will be less stressed for sure!
GL