PLEASE HELP!!! LOOK AT PHOTO

[smcgettric]

This appeared within 24hrs. This was not on the fish last night. What is it and what do I do
You can email me blakk67@bellsouth.net

Thanks for all help

Chuck[img]

[Carol_Roberts]

Ammonia burns or maybe bacterial fin rot. . . .
Check ammonia levels.
Do a water change
Add salt at 5 tablespoons per 10 gallons
Try Furan 2

[smcgettric]

The fish seems to be bumping into things when he swims. Its like he cant see anything. It even bumps into other fish. Why is this happening so fast. I changed water yesterday and cleaned filters. Could that have something to do with it.

[Carol_Roberts]

Have you checked your ammonia and nitrIte?

[smcgettric]

checking both now.....

[Nightowl]

How did you clean the filters? did you nuke them?(clean in tap water)

[smcgettric]

N02 is ok <.03mg/l

ammonia is higher than normal b/w 0.25mgl and 1.5mg/l

OH SH$T I did clean filters with tap water. Now what!

[Carol_Roberts]

You've chlorinated your good bacteria if you have city water. Don't panic. You will need to do one or more daily water changes until the good bacteria pick back up. It may take a few days for the good bacteria to recolonize the filter.

Do not add furan 2. That will kill the filter bacteria too.

If you can find Biospira (not cycle or any other product) that may clear up the problem immediately.

[smcgettric]

should I be using salt? Should I remove the carbon while I regrow the bacteria?

[Carol_Roberts]

Yes, use salt. Leave the carbon for right now - it probably has some good bacteria on it. I don't use carbon in a discus tank.

what type of filter do you have?

[smcgettric]

I use 2 emperor 280 filters. one on each side of a 75gal.

[Nightowl]

If you didn't clean the wheels, you should be OK. J.T.

[Carol_Roberts]

Do those use blue cloth cartridges with carbon inside like the Emperor 400?

[Nightowl]

yes

[smcgettric]

I didnt clean the wheels but cleaned EVERYTHING else. Yes they use the same cartridge packs as the 400

[Carol_Roberts]

You should be OK then. Those cartridges are disposable and you have lots of good bacteria on the bio wheels. The wheels are turning right?

Added any new fish?

[smcgettric]

Wheels are turning. Should I do a water change in the morning and use 5 TBL salt per 10 gal. No new fish have been added.

[Nightowl]

JMO, Dont go so heavy on the salt! What is the temp? J.T.

[smcgettric]

Temp is about 88-90

[Nightowl]

To me, that's way too high. Sometimes its called for, but if your tank is off-cycle a bit and there are any nitrites, you are just making it harder on the fish with that much heat...nitrites rob oxygen....I would lower it to around 84f...not all at once of course.
Keep in mind discus will breed and raise fry at 82 degrees(I've done it). Good luck J.T.

[Carol_Roberts]

Yes, 2 tablespoons of salt should be plenty since this is probably a water problem rather than an introduced illness. 84 is a good temp, but lower 2 degrees per day. Do a water change tomorrow. Try to keep ammonia and nitrITe close to zero.

[smcgettric]

I am going to do a water change now. Should I remove the carbon all together in about a week or so? Should I do a water change tomorrow as well. THnaks

[Carol_Roberts]

Yes and yes. Do water changes everyday. The filter will cycle in time.

[smcgettric]

one fish is now in a corner laying on its side...should it come back....I will do a water change tomorrow. Should I continue to use the sale after each water change. Thanks again

[Joao]

Yes, everytime you do water change add the right salt amount.

[Carol_Roberts]

for every 10 gallons of water you add to the tank add 2 tablespoons of salt.

You may have some bacterial thing going on too. Is ammonia close to zero and fish is laying on bottom of tank?

[smcgettric]

The ammonia is almost 0. I use the tetra test kit and the color of the water is b/w 0 mg/l and .25 mg/l. Will the salt give a false ammonia readings.

[Carol_Roberts]

No, salt will not give a false positive for ammonia and it will help with elevated nitrItes

[Galina]

By cleaning filters you could have spiked ammonia and disturbed pH balance. I had had the same problem a few months ago and it was an agony to watch my beautiful snakeskin to bump into things, he dies and I cried the whole night. Now I am extremely cautios with cleaning filters and sponges. Melafix helps with frayed fins, but you fish has gone blind , so I cannot advise on anything, just share your anxiety.

[smcgettric]

When I got up this morning he was dead. I cant believe this sh$t, I feel so bad that I did this. I have never had this happen before. Is is likely that I will lose all the fish now. Why were none of the other fish affected in the same way. This Sucks!