tank problems and fish spotting

[bj_burton40]

I've never had any problems with peacocks and salt. They are slightly delicate in comparison to other fish, so use as directed.

Well I havn't been able to get a test to Petsmart, but I was able to get salt in the tank, and also a 5" bubble bar to help with the increased temp. in the tank, but I am having a problem getting the tank mantained above 84 the outside temp changes are killing me down here in SE Texas. I will get a test to them tomorrow, and the fish seem more active since I put the bubble bar in, and it looks pretty good coming up through plants. One other thing, there is a foaming substance appearing around the edge of the waterline is this another common affect of "ick"?

 

[Headrush]

"Jungle" makes a good product for curing Ick, but don't waste much time, it can kill them if you don't treat it

When you get a bigger tank, if you're struggling with stable temps cause its hot outside you may want to look into getting a "chiller"

No need for it here in NY though

BBBBRRRRRRRR!

 

[pdbrady]

Well I havn't been able to get a test to Petsmart, but I was able to get salt in the tank, and also a 5" bubble bar to help with the increased temp. in the tank, but I am having a problem getting the tank mantained above 84 the outside temp changes are killing me down here in SE Texas. I will get a test to them tomorrow, and the fish seem more active since I put the bubble bar in, and it looks pretty good coming up through plants. One other thing, there is a foaming substance appearing around the edge of the waterline is this another common affect of "ick"?

No foaming is not an affect of ich. Ich is a parasite. The spores are freeswimming basically all of the time. They take advantage of your fish when there are uncommon stressors present in the tank. Ex.- Temp change, new fish added, etc. The foam is most likely an affect of whatever your water tests say. Unless of course it is just the bubbles building up. You can't waste much time with treatment and testing. Why are you having trouble with the tank temp? Does your house not stay at a steady temp? We get the worst weather changes you could think of here and mine holds temp. It was low 30's this morning, and hit 60 today...

 

[bj_burton40]

Well I got some of the test kits from Petsmart Ph is at 7.0, Nitrate is at 5.0, Nitrite is at 0.0, Amonia is at a safe level (I have one of those stick on meters that suction cups on the inside of the tank). So far I have put in the salt but still having trouble getting the tank to stay above 82, I just turned up the heater all the way if that doesn't work then i'll just go and invest in another heater. Are there any other test that I should get besides the salt test since I am putting salt in there? The fish have actually reacted in a positive manner since I put the salt and bubble bar in yesturday. I'm still seeing this bubbling/foam/suds around the waterline is this normal or what?

 

[bj_burton40]

No foaming is not an affect of ich. Ich is a parasite. The spores are freeswimming basically all of the time. They take advantage of your fish when there are uncommon stressors present in the tank. Ex.- Temp change, new fish added, etc. The foam is most likely an affect of whatever your water tests say. Unless of course it is just the bubbles building up. You can't waste much time with treatment and testing. Why are you having trouble with the tank temp? Does your house not stay at a steady temp? We get the worst weather changes you could think of here and mine holds temp. It was low 30's this morning, and hit 60 today...

I have the tank in my room which is the old garage and the heating /cooling in there is hard to maintain. It was low 40's hear this morning and ended up mid 70's this afternoon.

 

[pdbrady]

Your tests sound good. The "foamy stuff" is most likely just a buildup of bubbles. It sounds like your heater is the culprit, as temp changes can stress fish. I would definately invest in one.

 

[bj_burton40]

Your tests sound good. The "foamy stuff" is most likely just a buildup of bubbles. It sounds like your heater is the culprit, as temp changes can stress fish. I would definately invest in one.

I will then, one other thing sould I be doing the normal water changes along with this treatment?

 

[pdbrady]

If you're just treating with salt, then yes. Just be sure to put back in what you take out.

 

[Keeper of Chunga]

Your tests sound good. The "foamy stuff" is most likely just a buildup of bubbles. It sounds like your heater is the culprit, as temp changes can stress fish. I would definately invest in one.

I am currently treating my tank for ich as well. I know what he is talking about with the bublles. I am treating with Ich-Attack, raised the temp to 85, and added salt (I usually have no salt in my tank - and I think after doing some reading I will not be using salt to treat ick again - just high temps and meds).

Bubbles have definitely increased to the point of creating that foam you were talking about. The warm water plus the salt added and in my case the meds (at least that is what I think is happening ).

My tank also started to get a very, very acrid smell today and especially after I added another dose of the meds. Then measured the pH and it had crashed to 6.4. Did a 25% water change to bring it up to 6.6 (it is usually kept at 6.8 from Discus Buffer - but after reading here about stable pH vs needed pH will try to phase out the buffer - thanks!).

I am in Day 4 of the ich infestation. Getting better but the o looks more upset due to the water chemistry changes than the ich. Become temperamental.

 

[bj_burton40]

My tank also started to get a very, very acrid smell today and especially after I added another dose of the meds. Then measured the pH and it had crashed to 6.4. Did a 25% water change to bring it up to 6.6 (it is usually kept at 6.8 from Discus Buffer - but after reading here about stable pH vs needed pH will try to phase out the buffer - thanks!).

Your Ph only dropped .2? My Ph dropped from 7.8 to 7.0 when I did the last water change, and added the salt.