125 gallon catastrophe...

[badassissimo]

My pacu is moving around a lot more. Unfortunately, none of this is normal movement. It looks like he may have developed scratches or films over his eyes and can't see but is otherwise irritated by scratches and wounds from previously bumping into heaters and everything else in the tank. I've taken out everything I can and posted the heaters in the least dangerous places I can find. Would it be ok to put melafix in the water at this time? I don't know how long it takes to build up an immune system like was posted previously but I know I've gotten some serious wounds to heal up with melafix like neosporin does on myself. Nitrates are still pretty high. Alkalinity has come down and the water is getting softer. Let me know. Thanks.

 

[vaine111]

I think the best thing you can do is give it some good clean water right now. The scratches on the eyes might not be scratches but irritation from the high nitrates.
If it was me I'd do 20% WC every day for a week and recheck the nitrates every 3 WC's till you get it in a reasonable range(40-75ppm). Then I'd check the nitrates again 3 days later and see where it's at, this way you can get an idea on how much water you have to change and how often.

And BTW I had to give him away. He was getting too restless in the tank due to his size. He went to a guy with a 220g.

 

[badassissimo]

I think the best thing you can do is give it some good clean water right now. The scratches on the eyes might not be scratches but irritation from the high nitrates.
If it was me I'd do 20% WC every day for a week and recheck the nitrates every 3 WC's till you get it in a reasonable range(40-75ppm). Then I'd check the nitrates again 3 days later and see where it's at, this way you can get an idea on how much water you have to change and how often.

And BTW I had to give him away. He was getting too restless in the tank due to his size. He went to a guy with a 220g.

Up it to 20%? Will do. I have another jug and can use a storage tub. I have 6 big storage tubs I had used when I was sealing the tank after I brought it home. Pretty good for a $1 a piece at goodwill.

Well, if you had to send yours, I imagine I will be sending mine. I'm not sure if there will be more reason than this but I might be taking a job 300 miles away which will mean I need to move. I just hope the gourami holds on if that happens. My pacu probably can't handle it.

Thank you for the advice. I will be changing the water after work tonight.