HELP

[slippery slimecoat]

Tank specifics:
120 gallon tank
Marineland C -360 and Eheim 2262 canisters. AC110 with pothos plant. 25 watt TMC Vecton2 UV hooked to the 2262

Stock:
5 African tiger scats
6 clown loaches from 4" to 9"+
5 filament barbs

Tank maintenance:
2 60%+ water changes weekly

Current water parameters:
Ph: 8.0
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate:5-10

Did about 75% (which I do regularly) water change this morning. Early afternoon I noticed a clown loach extremely pale, breathing heavy, and not moving much. All other fish were acting fine. Had plans with the wife, so added some stress coat, shut off the light, then left for a few hours. Came home, the clown is still a little pale, but breathing better and is moving around a bit. But now the scats and filaments are breathing heavy and hanging toward the top of the tank. Checked parameters in tank. Noticed ph was a bit higher than normal at 8.0. Checked tap and got 7.4. Not sure how I have higher ph in the tank? (Probably have 20+ lbs of driftwood.) I moved circulation pump up to the surface to increase water movement. The clowns actually ate some food and the scats and filaments did not. The tank is very well established and hasn't shown any sign of illness up to this point. Any help is appreciated.

 

[KAWAMIKIE]

Why are you changing 120% of your water weekly?
Is your tank cycled?

 

[Wailua Boy]

I have noticed after water companies flush lines, high doses of chlorine/chloramine and pH fluctuations....Could be a possibility.

Huge water changes can bring about recycling, another possibility, of course you would see ammonia.

 

[kendragon]

If you don't have buffer, huge pH swings will get them. Is the tank bare bottom?

 

[slippery slimecoat]

I have noticed after water companies flush lines, high doses of chlorine/chloramine and pH fluctuations....Could be a possibility.

Huge water changes can bring about recycling, another possibility, of course you would see ammonia.

Pretty much where my thinking was. I've done large water changes on this tank on a regular basis without issue, and not seeing ammonia tells me my cycle was unaffected. Pretty much chalking it up to a random fluctuation in my water source. This morning all the fish seem to be basically back to normal other than the filaments still breathing a little hard. Them and the scats ate a little flake food this morning though, so that's good.

If you don't have buffer, huge pH swings will get them. Is the tank bare bottom?

Other than a couple pounds of sand, yes it's bare bottom. Took sand out to move the tank a while back. Didn't bother putting it back in since I have a TON of bio media in this set up, and I'm upgrading from this tank soon and will be tearing this one down.

 

[DN328]

IMO, 60% twice a week is probably not necessary unless you are doing it to address some underlying issue. But it shouldn't harm anything - given the fluctuations in the water I would cut back on the WC% so fish have adjusted. Glad to hear they are acting normal again.

 

[Woefulrelic]

Temp shock? If your changing that much water and don't account for the temp swing it might explain a bit. If the wc is the only change I would guess it would be pipes getting flushed or a significant drop in water temp. Perhaps they used a bit more chlorine than normal and your normal dose of conditioner didn't neutralize it, but the burn off or added stress coat (if it's the kind mixed with conditioner) caused the chlorine to fall below toxic levels. If it's a temp thing you should be okay and just change less water over a longer period of time. Either way it sounds like your fish are slowly rebounding and I wish you the best.

 

[convict360]

I'm now of the opinion that water changes over 50% a week, either signify too much fish for a tank; or the fish is simply too big. If you can get away with changing less water, I'd do that; much less risk when something out of your control happens e.g. chlorine. Or reduce stock.

 

[pops]

was the water full of tiny micro bubbles, in winter water holds allot more gasses and can lead to issues. I do not advocate 120% water changes, 90 percent yes but not 120.

 

[slippery slimecoat]

The temp of new water was within a couple degrees. Confident that wasn't the issue. Admittedly the tank is definitely heavily stocked, and is why I have a larger tank sitting in the garage to upgrade this set up.