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Guppies gone Quiet | 7 comments (7 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

Re: Lochness tank huh? (none / 0) (#1)
by Angelee on Wed Sep 15, 2004 at 07:23:40 AM PST

Okay, I'm going to start with a no brainer. Have you checked your tank light top lately?? (I know, I know, sounds like a DUH factor but,...just in case.) Algae can accumulate underneath the light on the glass, causing a lovely lochness look to the tank. Not your tank you say? Okay, well all of us eventually have to deal with an algae bloom of some sort. It sounds like you were doing the right things, except I don't like the chemistry set method much. Maybe your problem lies in the plants you are pulling out of the local water. If any dumpage is possible, chances are that this would have eventually become a problem anyway. (Yes, hold out your hands. (smack) BAD AQUARIST!! BAD!!) I suggest not adding any more chemicals, it does sound like your fish are extremely stressed. All of your levels may register normal,...however. Keep in mind that every time you add a chemical you are also changing the osmotic pressure in your tank (think scuba diving and the reasons for not going faster than the bubbles). It is more noticeable in the smaller fish because they are much more sensitive to changes in their environments than the adults. Such stress can make your fish more susceptible to diseases and bacteria.
Keep up the low ligh but can the chemicals. Also, have you checked or changed your filters? You may have removed too much of the 'good' bacteria, leaving the colonies in short supply. In other words, they are overwhelmed with food and need time to multiply to stabilize your tank. Good luck.
"The Rocky Mountain Gupster" ANGELEE

Re: Lochness tank huh? (none / 0) (#3)
by maggie1270 on Wed Sep 15, 2004 at 10:57:04 AM PST

That is so true Angelee! For a couple weeks I thought my water was just funky even though I was doing water changes every week so I upped it to every 4-5 days and it was still a darker color than I would have liked. Luckily I had to pick up the top to put the fry net on the side of the tank and I found where the dark green & brown were coming from.

I have also noticed that sometimes after treatment (especially with Levamisole) my gups were very "low key" I guess you could call it. Soon after a few more water changes they picked up and were back to normal.
Maggie
[ Parent ]

I don't know if they are stressed Angelee. (none / 0) (#2)
by unclescott on Wed Sep 15, 2004 at 08:16:21 AM PST

Certainly enough algae killer can stress. As a matter of fact simazine, found in some algae destroyers, has been blamed for birth defects in fish.

I really like your advice of checking the surface of the light cover. Who thinks to look at the tank cover or the underside of the light? (Unplug that baby for cleaning.)

In the meantime, listen carefully at the side of the tank. If little, high voices are singing "Scotch and Soda", "Feeling Groovy" or "Come On, Get Happy" then they are fine. ;) Sometimes fish relax if they just have their own grotto to hang out in.

All the best,
unc;e

[ Parent ]

Guppies gone Quiet | 7 comments (7 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

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