Why?

[funnyfish]

I have a 55 gallon
temp 78-79
WP are good but I cant be sure they are great I am using test strips and have a Mater test kit coming I ordered

Its been up and running for about 3 weeks now and has Gravel

I have 3 tux platys (and 1 fry doing very well in there)
3 fancy guppies
2 balloon mollies
1 pleco
1 firebelly newt
1 African Dwarf frog

My problem is Sunday night I got home a watched a tux platy die
the next morning one of the Balloon Mollies was dead
and this morning the male Fancy guppy was dead
also when 2 of the tux platys had turned from a bright yellow/ black color to almost completelt white in color
the next morning the color had come back alot but not completely and still has not completely returned
I did a 20% WC on Saturday.

Please help I am new and cant think of any other info you all might need I know it seems to be some type of stress or something but any ideas... Please help...... I dont want to lose anymore, also if there is something that needs to medicated what do I do with my frog and newt because I dont think I can medicate them..

Thank you all so much for anyones help!

* Edit* I forgot to add I have several live plants in there also and I have a 30/60 filter? I have heard alot of good things about the canister ones though so we want to upgrade and I knwo I should run them both for awhile to avoid cycling agai with my fish in there..?

[graceluvsplatys]

how did they die? did they just fall over, or did they become lethergic and die? cause, a few people have had mysterious deaths. i did.
do a huge water change, and go from there, since i did one, no deaths. and, dont add any fish for a while, untill no deaths in a month.
as for the loss of color, one of my cories lost his color and died, but it sounds like yours made it. do water changes, and hope for the best.

[funnyfish]

The one we seen die we walked in the house after being gone all day and the 1st thing I do is say hi to my little friends and he was swimming sideways then right away got stuck on the filter and before I could help him he was off and then was sideways again and then floated to the bottom and was gone in about 2 minutes. It was so hard to stand there helpless and not be able to help her.

[graceluvsplatys]

ok, it sounds kinda like mine.
okay, i solved mine by the water change, which i would do pronto. do about 70 percent if you can, then do another 50 percent a few days later. it worked for me.

[graceluvsplatys]

did you cycle the tank first? fish or fishless?
did you add all the fish at the smame time, or scattrerd.

[Billythefish]

Did you cycle the tank befor you added the fish or did you do the whole set up in one day?

[graceluvsplatys]

well, if your water is good....
seroiusly, do the water changes. no matter what it is ( high amm, nit, nita)
or the weird fish disease that some of us have had, water changes will help.

[funnyfish]

I bought the tank used with fish in it and we had to get rid of the fish in it because they were not compatible and would be to big for that sized tank anyways but we did a mini cycle after all that and it was already est. and old the same filter and decor... The was were added about a week at a time so none at the smae time
I will do the water change asap but how do I go about such a big water change I wish someone would call me and walk me through this lol I just want to do it right without hurting them.. I have a gravel vac? thing that I put in and it goes through the hose to a 5 gallon bucket so after I take out much of the water how do I add that much in with out hurting all them or stressing them? But really if anyone would be willing to call me or ket me call them and walk me through this I would be forever grateful

[Ryuu]

To do a water change there are a few ways. The easiest way is to get a 5 gallon bucket and some tubing. Put one end of the tubing into the aquarium water, and then suck on the other end. It may seem gross, but you will hardly ever get any water in your mouth if done right. As soon as the water flow starts, let the tube hang into the bucket until full. Dump the bucket, then fill the same one, or use a different one for clean water, and dump it back in.

The second way is to use a gravel vac. A gravel vac is a large tube that will pick up dirt and debries off the floor of the aquarium that the filter didnt get. Get a 5 gallon bucket and put the end of the vac into the bucket. To start the gravel vac there are a few ways. If you have a python im not sure. The type I have tho, you have to pump it. so make sure all the air bubbles are out, then pump the large tube till you get a steady flow of water, and then vacume up the debries till the bucket is full. Dump the water, and either fill the same bucket or use a bucket for clean water.

To add the water back in without hurting anything, you can try to make sure the flow of water goes onto the sides, or, even though this is tricky, try to hold a plate near the waters surface, and poor the water onto that, otherwise just poor the water in a corner.

Sorry one more thing, I would call but I believe it is against forum rules to call, im not 100% sure tho.

[funnyfish]

I have done 20-25% water changes and yes I suck on the end of that tube and get the water started but the things I am not sure if I am doing right and would be a big deal is with such and big water change is when I add the clean water to the 5 gallon and pu tthe dechlor. and mix it I let it sit for about 5 minutes and then add it then do that again and again is the right?

[funnyfish]

By the way all even though right now I sound completely stupid I really am not I think I am over drama rightnow but I really dont want to have anymore fish die and I really cant lose the frog or newt they are my boys and they love them so and I am just very worried and trying to do the best thing Thank you all for putting up with me and being so kind about this.

[Ryuu]

Oh ok, if your doing a larger water change, do all the water taking first here il make a list

1.) Take out 5 gallons and dump
2.) Take out 5 gallons and dump
3.) Take out 5 gallons and dump
4.) Take out 5 gallons and dump
5.) Take out 5 gallons and dump
6.) Fill bucket and ad the meds let sit, then pour in
7.) Fill bucket and ad the meds let sit, then pour in
8.) Fill bucket and ad the meds let sit, then pour in
9.) Fill bucket and ad the meds let sit, then pour in
10.)Fill bucket and ad the meds let sit, then pour in

The reason why you don't take the water out, and then immediatly replace it is because you are adding clean water to the old water, when you go to take the water out again, you will be taking some new water also

[Ryuu]

By the way all even though right now I sound completely stupid I really am not I think I am over drama rightnow but I really dont want to have anymore fish die and I really cant lose the frog or newt they are my boys and they love them so and I am just very worried and trying to do the best thing Thank you all for putting up with me and being so kind about this.

Are you kidding me, you are a very very very smart and caring person. Your smart because you took the initeative to come on to an online forum, and find out what was wrong. You are caring because you want the best for your fish. As for the putting up with ya, thats why were all here, to help, we live to help =D

[funnyfish]

yea i get that part but letting it sit with the water and stuff is the right thing my last question is how long do I let it sit I have been doing about 5 minutes but like I said i make sure I mix it and then let sit for the 5 min or so and then slowly add to tank and then do that again and again. Is this good? Should I wait longer?

[Billythefish]

From what ive seen in this thread i'd say that doing water changes will just restart the cycle... after all the tank has only been going 3 weeks, did you treat or age the water that you filled the tank with at the start? It could just be a case of the used parts filter gravel ect could of been contaminated
At the start.

[funnyfish]

Thankl you you make want to cry I do love all my animals and my underwater guys are no diff they are my buddies and I do want the very best for them and Thats way I am so thankful for you and all here for helping learn and do whats best for the little guys

[Ryuu]

From what ive seen in this thread i'd say that doing water changes will just restart the cycle... after all the tank has only been going 3 weeks, did you treat or age the water that you filled the tank with at the start? It could just be a case of the used parts filter gravel ect could of been contaminated
At the start.


I didn't think of that either, the old tank inhabitors may have had a disease, and before they died they were given away, that way there were no signs, of disease.

[Ryuu]

Thankl you you make want to cry I do love all my animals and my underwater guys are no diff they are my buddies and I do want the very best for them and Thats way I am so thankful for you and all here for helping learn and do whats best for the little guys

Lol all I can say is welcome to the aquatic community, where fish come first, and were all nuts about em =D

[funnyfish]

From what ive seen in this thread i'd say that doing water changes will just restart the cycle... after all the tank has only been going 3 weeks, did you treat or age the water that you filled the tank with at the start? It could just be a case of the used parts filter gravel ect could of been contaminated
At the start.
Age? treated with water dechlor.... All this fish on in it were very healthy we actually just checked on the the other day and they are still doing very well so I dont know if that makes a diff in contamination...... I amnot sure if this helps with what you are asking if not let me know

[funnyfish]

I didn't think of that either, the old tank inhabitors may have had a disease, and before they died they were given away, that way there were no signs, of disease.
I had the fish with the tank I kept them a few days and did some reseach and learned 1 was a iridescent shark and the 2 cat fish were fighting and so were the angles... But like I said I found a good LFS and they took them in they are still well and doing great they were holding them for a bit before they sold them but they are all doing very well and they are keeping the shark until they can find a place for him to go they didnt want him to go in a tank and I didnt want that also

[Ryuu]

hmmm, thats odd, im not 100 percent sure what it could be. Were there any white spots on the fish or any taterd fins and such


EDIT: Unfortunatly I must leave for a few hours, I will be back around seven or eight sorry. Hope all goes well.

[Billythefish]

Age? treated with water dechlor.... All this fish on in it were very healthy we actually just checked on the the other day and they are still doing very well so I dont know if that makes a diff in contamination...... I amnot sure if this helps with what you are asking if not let me know
Re:Age?, some of us age the water with a air stone rather than using dechlor, maybe your new stock of fish have just been badley looked after befor you got them... Other than that im stumped, i still think you should hold off the water changes until you get your new test kit... Good luck

[funnyfish]

well thank you all fo you info I think I might try a little of all advice I will do a 25% water change and then maybe tomorrow or the next day I will do the same and and continue with that until mon or tues when the kit comes to do an entire test

[funnyfish]

No white spots and I fin that was damaged by another fish but thats on my preg platy the only one that seems to be doing really well

[digital3]

In reading through this I don't think I saw you mention what your paramaters are. Where is your Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate at currently? If you have any Ammonia or Nitrite levels present, you are not cycled and will need to begin the process of monitoring your levels daily and doing constant water changes until Ammonia and Nitrites are zeroed out, or you will lose more fish.

[funnyfish]

I have neeb testing the water but like I said with strips and I heard after those are not acc. so I am waiting for the master kit to come I ordered it will be here mon or tues
but the amm has been 0
nitrite and nitrate both 0
ph had been 7.5

gh 120
kh 120-180
but I kow those may not be correct because they are strips

[Lady Hobbs]

Your filter is way too small for one thing. Perhaps they were started of oxygen.

[funnyfish]

but I use the same strips on my gold fish tank and they for sure tell me whens thats out of wack and I do get readings on that when its not right so I know they work alittle

[funnyfish]

I do have a bubble thing on the opp side of the tank from the filter and pretty big one that creates alot of bubbles and air and their are always bubbles on the sides of the tank does this make a diff?

[funnyfish]

2 things to add to the story
1 now that I am doing a water change I notive there is a fishy smell and normally there is not and #2 the little guys are seeming to hang out right were I am adding the water I know the water I am adding is a tad warmer than wats in the tank becaus I cant get it perfect and I waould rather a little warmer than colder does this mean they want it a little warmer if so what do I do I was told my newt was great in there but other have told me they dont do well in warmer water though hes been doing well growning and doing all in a 78-79 temp..

[funnyfish]

Thank you all for all your help and advice I did a 30% WC so wish me luck my the way I discovered another littler fry so I have 2..... wouldnt bad water affect them more so then the bigger fish just wondering... Anyhow wish me luck and thank you all again. Hey Billy why dont you like you mother in law? LOL

[Ryuu]

Glad to hear its working out, and yes I do believe that fry are more sensitive then full grown fish.

[funnyfish]

So if thats correct then that means it is most likely not the water causing these deaths? By the way I now see 3 fry there is one that is bigger and looks like the other fish almost and starting ti get out more now and there are 2 tiny ones that are really hard to find impossible to catch....lol

[Ryuu]

lol poor fish, and no it shouldnt be if your parameters are good