Figured out the cause of my fin rot...driftwood

[sashimimaster]

So my fish has had fin rot for around a month now. Repeated dosing with Melafix and water changes didn't really help. My water parameters were really good. No nitrites and less than 5 nitrates. So I couldn't figure out the problem....

I noticed some algae growing on my driftwood which is a very large piece 3' X 4'. It's been floating because it's basically uncured. So I figured I'll take out the DW and do a complete 100% water change. My tank is 680g so it's a big job. When I pulled out the driftwood it smelled like raw sewage. Obviously it was decaying and still had bacteria in it. Needless to say the piece won't be going back into the tank. I plan to power wash it and blow off most of the soft bark then let it sit outside for a good year. Then I'll try it again.

I got the piece from the driftwood store and I suspect it's basically a dug up piece and not really cured. So moral of the story is be careful of the DW you put into your tank.

 

[F1 VET]

So my fish has had fin rot for around a month now. Repeated dosing with Melafix and water changes didn't really help. My water parameters were really good. No nitrites and less than 5 nitrates. So I couldn't figure out the problem....

I noticed some algae growing on my driftwood which is a very large piece 3' X 4'. It's been floating because it's basically uncured. So I figured I'll take out the DW and do a complete 100% water change. My tank is 680g so it's a big job. When I pulled out the driftwood it smelled like raw sewage. Obviously it was decaying and still had bacteria in it. Needless to say the piece won't be going back into the tank. I plan to power wash it and blow off most of the soft bark then let it sit outside for a good year. Then I'll try it again.

I got the piece from the driftwood store and I suspect it's basically a dug up piece and not really cured. So moral of the story is be careful of the DW you put into your tank.

If ur water had decaying waste in it you would of had way higher nitrates!!! Fin rot is often mistook as ammonia burns!

#1 S. Vettel

 

[sashimimaster]

Well I checked it on a regular basis and the parameters were good. I have a 100g sump.

The funny thing is my 15" Aro didn't have any signs of fin rot. Only the smaller fish.

 

[Owain4]

I'd have never thought the driftwood to be the cause of fin rot, maybe bacteria on it or anywhere in the tank. my driftwood is wood i picked from a lake and its decaying and algae covered and looks great and i still haven't had a problem with fin rot. I'd maybe check your ammonia reading again.

Whats the ph of your water? driftwood can make water more acidic.

 

[sashimimaster]

The PH is 6.8.

Does your DW smell like something rotten? Mine does. If I had ammonia wouldn't my nitrites be sky high?

 

[F1 VET]

The PH is 6.8.

Does your DW smell like something rotten? Mine does. If I had ammonia wouldn't my nitrites be sky high?

Not necessarly. Depends on the cycle and if thst bacteria isnt established or abundunt enough to keep up with bio load. Generally speaking.smaller fish die off 1st then hertier fish go so get an ammonia test and see. In the mean time change some water w/ api stress coat!

#1 S. Vettel

 

[sashimimaster]

The tank has been cycled for well over 6 months.

 

[jim j]

What are our small fish?

 

[sashimimaster]

3 VATF and 3 tin foil barbs. Funny but there are 3 other albino tin foil barbs that don't were not affected as much as silver colored fish.

 

[Swarsh]

Seems to me you are mistaking fun rot with aggression and nipping from
Other fish ? If only silver fish and smaller fish are getting 'fin rot' then maybe observe your tank a bit, aro seems to like attacking shiny silver fish in my experience.


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