quikv6
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Everything posted by quikv6
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From the looks of those test strips, it looks like you have 0 KH, and a very low PH. Perhaps a PH crash occurred, causing stress and the issue. The crushed coral would be a good idea to raise both to a safer level. Also, a little salt could help along with the erythromycin.
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1ppm of ammonia can certain stress/harm the fish. Water changes would be plan A, but if that's not feasible, a good plan B would be to detoxify the ammonia w/Seachem Prime. (as opposed to ammo lock, though same idea)
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I also think it's appropriate to give you sincere kudos for the 18 years plus of loving care you provided for the fish. That is dedication, and true love for a pet who is a member of the family. Here's to many more years. You and the fish both lucky and fortunate to have each other!
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Low KH? Crushed coral or Alkaline Buffer - how to use it?
quikv6 replied to Ariel S's topic in General Discussion
Crushed coral would be a good solution, especially if it is in the filter. I have found that more impactful then just using it as gravel. I also believe Equilibrium/Replenish would be mainly for GH, and have less of an impact on KH. You can also use some baking soda to raise KH/PH, but do it very carefully, and test the measures in a 5 gallon bucket first. I have similar soft/low KH water to you right out of the tap, and 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda per 5 gallons will bring my PH from 6.8 to 7.6, and raise KH from 40 to about 80. Your mileage may vary, which is why it is super important to test the results outside of the tank first. -
Yes....Epsom is definitely different. Epsom salt acts more like a laxative and has been known to reduce swelling. I did A TON of reading, as I had a fish come down with dropsy. Most treatments specify Epsom salt specifically, due to its swelling reduction characteristics. It can be used as a 15-20 minute bath, or in the tank all the time. (I have read that if it is in there all the time, it may have an impact on GH, causing it to rise.) I found Epsom salt to also help with swim bladder issues, in addition to helping a fish I had with a prolapse. Visually, if giving an Epsom bath, I have noticed the fish looks more relaxed. My dropsy experience was a bit different. Short story: I put the sick fish in a hospital tank, used Epsom salt, Furan-2, and Kanaplex. The fish visually didn't improve, but didn't worsen either, and maintained his appetite throughout. I received some advice to try a med called Ciproflaxin. I ordered it, and it came the next day. Within 30 minutes of the first Ciproflaxin treatment, the fish passed, sadly. I have a feeling it was some strong stuff. While I wish I could hit rewind on the Cipro, ultimately I looked at it as a "hail mary pass". Everything I have read says that dropsy requires aggressive action. While I suppose mine ended up being too aggressive, I came to terms with it, as I really tried to do everything I could. Good Luck, and keep us posted.
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Have you tried Epsom salt yet?
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Thanks for the update. Please continue to keep us posted....I hope he pulls through.
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Being it's an uncycled tank, I think it's important to keep a close eye on ammonia/nitrite, as their presence can certainly exacerbate any pre-existing issue, in addition to creating new ones. It would be helpful to have some Prime on hand to detox any ammonia that may arise. I think the deshelled pea would be a good idea.
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I think a water change would do good. Make sure to dechlorinate. Also, Mollies would respond well to aquarium salt. I think that would be a welcome addition, and should work in conjunction with the meds. The livebearers tend to like harder water as well. Without knowing your GH/KH/PH, I think it may help to get some minerals in the water, if your GH is low.
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I would go ahead and do a leak test. I have 2 Aqueon tanks, and the silicone is certainly sloppy at best. But neither leak, and to me, that is what is important.
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I gave the molly salt baths daily, and raised the level of salt in the tank as well. Knock on wood, but the cotton went away after about 4 days. You are right about the frozen food. He is the runt, and man...they all set their sights on him during feeding time. I have kept him in the breeder box in hopes of fattening him up a bit. Thanks!
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I think a buffer such as crushed coral, whether in the substrate or a HOB filter, would be a good idea. It would raise KH, which, in turn, would stabilize PH.
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Thanks for the info. I'll give mine a shot.
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I have used window privacy film on my last two tanks. It is very easy to apply and looks great. I have not had any issues with it peeling up, either.
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Fully understand if you'd like to lock it, Daniel. All good on my end. And Brandy...I completely agree with you about the apples and oranges thing, in regards to essential services/retail. I only made a connection simply because the general trend of going personless (for lack of a better term) for non-essential services seems to have bled into ALL services, and I think that is where my gripe is. It has been a broad brush trend, rather than case by case/service by service. I appreciate everyone's input and opinion!
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I recently bought the same kit. I haven't set it up yet, but was just curious your thoughts on the stand. it feels sturdy enough....but man, I am having a hard time coming to terms with putting 1,300 pounds on particleboard.
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Sal, This is a great thread, and I admire your work and dedication towards your goal. I am not going from personal experience, but I from what I have read, the center brace is quite integral to the structural integrity of the tank. With a tank that size, I'd imagine there would be a significant amount of pressure on the front/back panels, and .....well, I am sure you can envision a worst-case scenario. Perhaps there's an epoxy (JB Plasticweld?) that might do the trick to repair it, but peace of mind is quite valuable. I am sure that's why you are going through the effort to strengthen the stand, after all. I'll continue to follow this thread and admire your work!
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I have a juvenile molly who is really has not grown much. He seems to get picked on whenever I feed frozen food, for some reason. Three days ago, I noticed a cotton patch on his head. He is eating fine, and I separated him in a own breeder box. Since then I have given him a few 15 minute salt baths a day, and added some more salt to the tank he's in. (I'd say approx 1 TBSP/5 gallons.) I also added one dose of Ick-X and one dose of Maracyn to the tank. There has been no improvement in the cotton patch, but it hasn't worsened either. I have access to other meds, but don't want to go down the rabbit hole yet. Any other suggestions? All help is appreciated.
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That really looks like Dropsy, from the top view. I haven't had success treating that. I tried the Kanaplex/Furan 2 mix, to which the fish remained the same, with no improvement for 6 days or so. In the interim, it was suggested to me to try a medication called ciproflaxin. I ordered it immediately, and it came the next day. Sadly, within 30 minutes of the first ciproflaxin treatment, the fish died. I took the mindset that dropsy required an all out effort, so I came to terms with the fact that I really tried. But man, I really second guess that use of ciproflaxin. Good luck.
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I think his chances are pretty good. I had 2 fish recover from prolapses. (Not a betta, though.) I did a few things which may or may not have led to recovery: 1) I fasted the fish. 2) I gave 4 baths per day with epsom salt. 15 minutes per bath. 3) I kept the main tank water as clean as possible, and just tried to minimize stress. (Less lighting, etc.) In both cases, the prolape was reabsorbed into the body. If I remember correctly, one took 5-6 days, and the other 2 days.
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I say this completely respectfully, but I think this can be a learning experience for both parties. If the customer reached out in an appropriate manner/time frame with a legitimate issue, I truly don't believe the onus is on the customer to necessarily spell out how he wants the issue corrected. The customer may not really even know the best solution. Rather, I feel it is the ethical responsibility of the business to provide options for correcting the issue. (Provided it is a legitimate issue.) The business may provide an option or options that the customer may not have even thought of, that would best facilitate correcting the initial issue. While a "no-questions asked" refund sounds great on paper, perhaps "questions asked" would be best. Assumptions aren't necessarily best, and executing an assumption can give the customer a sense that they have no say in the matter. With that being said, if the customer has a specific resolution in mind, I do feel that could be (and probably should be) mentioned in the initial correspondence. Furthermore, if you were not happy with the refund gesture in good faith, I feel that could've (and should've) been handled direct with the vendor, rather than posting on a forum.
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I believe using something that treats gram negative will impact your biological filter. Something to consider.
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I have had a livebearer with an intestinal prolapse (Although from your pics I don't believe that is what your platy is experiencing....I think yours may be birthing related). In my case, a few 15 minute epsom salt bath sessions seemed to really help, and within a few days the prolapse was reabsorbed into the body. The fish has been fine ever since, knock on wood. I have read that the breeder box can be highly stressful, and can lead to problems. I have always allowed my fish to drop their fry in the main tank, so I don't have any experience with the breeder boxes.
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I'm curious to hear others' thoughts on this, in relation to the "no phone number" thing, which I completely understand, by the way. I just don't know if I agree with it or not, for this reason: Is there a possibility it is inadvertently exclusionary to the elderly/non-tech population? I know, I know....the percentage of that category of customers shopping at the co-op must be minuscule at best (possibly none), but I am mainly speaking based on principal. I am a couple of years older than Cory, and I have noticed trend that has been bothering me for the last decade or so. Various business/public service/office/even food service stray away from personal contact, whether it be by phone or in-person contact. My mom is a senior in the non-tech category. She doesn't own a computer, and has no idea how to send an email by herself. She can't order at a touch screen, has had significant trouble booking a vaccine appointment, in addition to problems correcting mistakes related to her pension/social security, simply because everything is automated. At the risk of continuing to "vent", I'll stop here. Yes, I am a bit nostalgic, but it's more about not isolating a vulnerable segment of the population that already has a propensity towards isolation. To me, that is principally the ethical thing to do. But again, I understand the stance of the co-op. I am just trying to picture my mom buying something at the co-op (or any other business that operates the same way...not pointing fingers whatsoever), having an issue with a defective product, and literally having no way to even have customer service available to her in a "language" she can understand.
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Sandra, It would be easy for me to give you a cookie-cutter answer like "don't get discouraged", but the reality is of course it is discouraging when your heart is in the right place, and you are trying to do the best you can for your fish.....and seemingly struggling at doing so. It's only natural to be a bit discouraged. My only advice would be that right now you are oiling the machine, so to speak. Sooner than later, your tank WILL run like a well-oiled machine, and that is when you can really step back, enjoy it, and find comfort in the fact that the bumpy road you are now experiencing wasn't in vain, and actually was a good learning experience in making you a better fishkeeper/pet-parent.
