Whole tank issue

[Modest_Man]

Here's the story.

I went on vacation for 9 days, and came back to my fish acting a bit sluggish. I had my roommate feed them once daily (if that) just to keep aggression down while I was gone. While I was away we had hot weather (for Washington) with it reaching the mid 90's every day, and I'm assuming the tank was quite hot. It's cooled down outside and the tank temp is still 82-84.

The tank is a 210 gallon with an assortment of almost fully grown CA/SA cichlids. Lots of filtration. Nitrates usually between 20-40. A bit higher after my trip, as they didn't get a water change till I got back.

I did a small water change the night I got in (Tuesday), maybe 40 gallons. Finally had time to do a real water change yesterday (Friday) and while doing it found my indo datnoid freshly dead behind a rock, along with a couple dead rubbernose plecos. Changed at least 50%, more like 60% vaccumed gravel, etc. All my normal tank work.

Today I notice that the fish aren't eating, are lethargic, some have cloudy eyes, and they almost all have clamped fins, with the edges of the fins slightly frayed. Nitrates are acceptable (20ppm or so) but that's all I have for test kits right now (tank has been established for quite some time).

I think something got into the tank from my small cleaning, maybe some soap, or my dechlorinator didn't fully work or something. I have no idea. Never dealt with anything like this. I'm also assuming the added stress of the week of high temperatures might have had something to do with it as well.

I'm off to the store to pick up some new dechlor (ran out after yesterdays water change), a master test kit (gotta check the ammonia and nitrite now) and some salt.

I'm just looking for other ideas as to what might be causing this. It's really freaking me out.

 

[dcdgoodtimes]

I dont know how long u've been doing this, but if u are not using any Reverse Osmosis water than u may have heavy metals. I don't know too much about ur sitiuation but i had my first tank and all my fish were healthy for a long long time. I had 2 clown loachs that were huge a whisker shrimp wich was probably the last to die and an assort ment of other exotic and commen freshwater fish. The thing that seemed to throw off was the PH then the tank just went down hill.
Now i'm fighting tail rot on a golden nugget pleco ( awsome fish, hard to keep) he is doing alot better though thanks to melifix, U have alot of water but I promise just changeing all the water and adding conditioner is not u'r answer because they can loose that balnce that is needed. my kit from api pharmies didn't come with the GH and KH test KIT so u might want to make sure u get that.

 

[bigspizz]

I would jump down to the lfs and grab some more kits...Just to throw out a guess though, I would say maybe one of the fish died early in your trip and sat for most of the time? Probably dealing with ammonia, not nitrates. How much air do you have hooked up? Could they have been oxygen deprived till the brink of death? Be careful not to overdose the prime in this situation...That could also add to the deprivation of oxygen...Good luck bro keep us posted..

 

[Modest_Man]

All the fish were alive when I came back from my trip. Acting normal. Symptoms do appear to be similar to ammonia burns, but unless I did something retarded during a water change it shouldn't be I'll go check the ammonia levels.

I've been doing daily 50% water changes and have stopped feeding.

 

[Modest_Man]

Tested my ammonia twice. Once with an old kit I had, 0ppm. Then with dmopar74's cause I figured mine was bad. Still 0ppm. So, not ammonia burns, unless I've gotten it taken care of through these water changes.

I did have a AC500 get unplugged by a roommate while I was away, but I cleaned the media out before starting it back up, and I had plenty of other filtration running while it was unplugged (another AC500, 2 Rena xp3's and a Fluval 404). Maybe I just didn't do a well enough job cleaning it out and some of the ammonia got into the tank. I don't know.

I'm doing another 50% water change right now...

 

[dmopar74]

considering the fish seemed fine before the water change, the only things i could think of are either something got in the tank during your first water change, or the unplugged filter pumped some bad crap into the tank. neither really makes sence though, considering you know what your doin. perhaps your roommate isnt fessing up to something?

 

[HPIZZLE]

thats what im thinking.
its usually something the person taking care of the fishes falt.

i once went on a float trip with my dad and brother. mom was supposed to call if anything went hay wire. well she fed my RTC way to much and didnt dispose of new food. then she left the lid open and my aro jumped out. then my other aro was eaten by the RTC because he wouldnt eat the shrimp my mom put in there. she said"i put the weeks worth of shrimp in the tank as soon as you left". she didnt see the problem!
then my last aro got stuck in the filter some how and she didnt help him. then when i get home i see im missing 3 arowana and my red tailed cat is drowning in his own filth!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
none lived. RIP

 

[Modest_Man]

They're acting more normal tonight. About half are eating and most swimming around. They still look like crap. Cloudy eyes and tons of mucus. Besides the dead indo the umbie have taken it the worst. Few fish don't look phased, like the snooks.

Something definitely got into the tank to eff them up so badly so quickly. I'll keep doing daily 50% water changes for a few more days.