Labored Breathing after large WC?

[Aqualoon]

All fish fine before WC. Did a 50% WC and noticed now that fish are gasping. Water parameters are in check, used my tap water conditioner, tank has two power heads and an air diffuser so should have enough oxygen in the water - plus had all of these going before without any issues.

The only thing I can think of is that the water was a tad colder then what the tank water was at...I try to match as best I can but it did dip the tank down to 78F and I keep the tank at 80F.

Thoughts? What can I do?

Going to do another WC right now, only thing I can think of is that something somehow got into the tank and I need to see if taking some of it out via WC helps.

 

[SimonL]

What was the water chem like before? How often do you do 50% changes? If the Ph was low and a big water change radically bumped it up, it could bother the fish.

 

[Aqualoon]

I honestly didn't check the water parameters before tonight's WC.

I don't do 50% often, like once a month, I do 20-30% WC's about 4-5 times a week (black sand substrate, don't like to see poop, that's why so often).

Tonight I changed around the driftwood and rock piles, but not like I haven't done that many many times before.

 

[fishloaf666]

Did you use the correct amount of tap water conditioner? Chlorine can make a fish gasp also. Your city could be using a lot of chlorine, and the large water change added too much of it.

 

[Aqualoon]

Used how much I should according to the directions on the bottle....just doing a quick 20% WC right now...can I OD on this stuff? I might just double what it says on the bottle to be sure.

 

[SimonL]

You can double the dose with most conditioners no problem. That's odd man.

 

[leather]

Depending on your water heater you can have a high amount of micro bubbles present. These bubbles will cling to everything in your tank including your fish's gills. They take away the surface area of the gills and will show those symptoms. Another wc could be the worst thing. See if you have small bubbles on your tank surfaces.

 

[Aqualoon]

I have micro bubbles that are caused by one of my power heads, have had the power head for awhile now. Use it for surface agitation.

 

[Aqualoon]

Just finished the WC, adjust both power heads, they're not making as many micro bubbles but they're still making some.

Fish still gasping hard....going to monitor them for a bit before bed.

See if you have small bubbles on your tank surfaces.

The micro bubbles aren't on the surface of the tank, but in the water itself. I can see them in the light very easily.

 

[Aqualoon]

Any suggestions to help them for the night?