pH burn? or not...

Hi there.

A few days ago I did a massive water change (about 75%...I know I shouldnt do that much but my water was really cloudy and I didnt know why...turns out Ive been way overfeeding them ) and everything seemed to be going fine... This morning I found a dead young molly. I thought maybe it was the one with the gibbled back, and he died of that, but i was just now looking at my pleco up close and he seems to have red streaks on his fins. This made me rethink why my molly died. Do you think its from ph burning or some sort of result from my massive water change? And what can I do to fix it? Thanks... Jill

 

Sounds like a bacterial infection/septicemia.

What are the water parameters?

You can use Maracyn Two to treat it.

-Chelle

 

Maracyn Two...okay. Is that relatively easy to find?

I only know my pH. Its sitting at about 6.4 right now... and it usually is that...I know that 6.4 isnt ideal for mollies, but my fish havent seemed to mind up until now...so I hadnt meddled with it.

When I go out to get Maracyn Two, I will also get more test kits.

So I need ammonia, nitrIte, and nitrAte... right?

Thanks..

 

Blau~

What are you treating the water with? I use bottled water for my two 37 gal's, so I don't treat the water for chlorine. But I do use "Stresscoat" at each change (even on my five gal). Just a bit - but it does treat the water and foster a protective coating on the fish. It's a great all around product and I use it every time I change the water.

 

Yup.

-Chelle

 

I use "cycle"...I'm not sure if its any good. Ran out of startright a few water changes ago.. I will have to pick some up tomorow when I go to get Maracyn..

Chelle...I understand that you know your oscars very well...Is there no possible way to put a baby oscar in a 37 gallon for it to grow up and live in there? eg... lots of water changes, decorations that leave lots of room for swimming...etc. I ask because I was originally going to spend all my savings on a 55 gallon...but then remembered I have to start saving for med school, and christmas is soon, and then a friend told me she had a 37 gallon and was willing to give it to me for a cheap price...so I went with that offer. I was really really looking forward to keeping an oscar and even picked out a name, but I am all for animal rights and I wouldnt want to have an oscar if it meant the poor thing had an awful life...thanks..

 

Cycle isn't a dechlorinator.

It is a VERY bad idea to try to keep an oscar in a 37 gallon tank. You would likely have to do water changes 2 - 3 times/week to keep the nitrAtes down. Plus in that small of a space it would likely become stunted.

-Chelle

 

Oh well...I suppose I will just have to look for some colourful cichlids then...thanks anyway.

ps..I wasnt using cycle as a dechlorinater.