Water change problem

HB · Guest

Last night i did a 50% water change using straight tap water with a double dose of Prime.
After the change the fish were fine & the water was crystal clear.This morning the fish are not moving much & the water is cloudy.I did another 25% change but no good the fish are very quiet & not chasing each other as they would normally do.
I think there must be something in Sydney tap water that is not good for fish now the dam levels are low.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

HB

**Miss Tigeress** · **Site Admin**

Hi HB

Sorry to hear that. Have you tested the water's PH, Nitrates ect?

Are your filters running properly?

You might be right there our levels are danerously low Unhappy

Whats the water like out of the tap to look at is it cloudy to start with?

Im not sure what else to suggest Unsure

Catchya Lee Hello

HB · Guest

Thanks Lee,

I checked the water outta the tap & it smells strong of chlorine so i just added some more Prime & see what happens.
Also i found a small dead fish behind a rock ,do you think that might be the problem?

HB

**Miss Tigeress** · **Site Admin**

Hi HB

Yeah ours smells like that most of the time we just add the water conditioner Big Smile

Prime works just as well Big Smile

Fingers crossed here for you Big Smile

Arhhh that could have been your problem if it had been there for a few days it will start making the water cloudy.

Keep us updated on how you go Big Smile

Catchya Lee Hello

**binda** · Discus

Yes, the dead fish could be the problem.

I recommend not doing big water changes if at all possible - it upsets the chemistry of the water too much, which places stress on your fish. The most I ever do is 30% at a time. If you need large amounts of water changed, it's always best to break it up over a few days - instead of 50%, you could do 25% and another 25% two days later or so. This also is helpful if your tap water is off for some reason, eg. extra chlorine or contaminants. Let us know how it goes.

Have you done a full test of the water?

HB · Guest

**couchy** · Green Terror

If you're not testing for amonia and nitrites and nitrates you won't know the problem? If you had a dead fish in there then this could turn your water off. An ammonia or nitrate test will tell you. I'm not far from you and our water has some wierd stuff in it. Your PH is too low for cichlids for a start. The PH out of our taps usually mid to high 7's which is great. I treat my tap water with 'aqua masters' A.C.E (ammonia, chlorine & chlorimine eliminator) I also add 1/2 tablespoon of rock salt and 1 flat tablespoon of bi-carb soda for buffering PH, all this is based on a 20ltr bucket. with this mix i never have water issues. I even start up tanks with water treated like this with great success under old/cycled filters of course. Prime is a great product also. The ph shock due to the big difference between your tank and tap is what would effect them. The effects of either PH shock or ammonia aren't instant so your tank can look fine for a day before fish die. If you do have ammonia or nitrates present keep doing water changes and treating water but you'll lose most of your fish unfortunately. You can also use a product called ammo lock for ammonia or nitrazorb for nitrates. Both are only available from good aquarium shops. Good luck
Cheers Couchy. Cool

**Phobeowulf** · Angelfish

Hi HB,

I live in the same area and don't have any probs with water. I use Neutral Buffer for my SA and some aquarium salt for general health etc. I only do a 25% water change every week and have no problems at all.

It's best to get a good test kit that includes Ammonia, Nitrate, Nitrite, pH.
That way you can see if there are any other reasons for sluggish fish etc. A kit like this is relatively inexpensive and lasts a long time.

Good luck!

**Miss Tigeress** · **Site Admin**

Hi HB

Yeah its a lil low of your af's about 7-7.5 will be good for them mine is about 7.3

HB · Guest

Thanks to all, i appreciate all the advice given.A test kit will be ordered soon & i'll only change 25% water from now on.

BTW
This is what i like about this forum i did some basic mistakes & NOBODY put me down for it.......thanks.

HB

**Miss Tigeress** · **Site Admin**

Hi HB

Your welcome if we can help we will even if we cant we will still try to help as much as possible Big Smile

**binda** · Discus

If you are having trouble keeping your pH up, then you should buffer it. You can do this several ways. You can put some sea shells in your tank, or in your filter, or use chemicals, or a combination.

I use "rift lake conditioner" that I make myself (see DIY section) and add at every water change, and I keep shells in my filters too. This keeps my pH at a constant 7.8 (but you can alter the buffer mix to suit your requirements).

**scuba** · Blue Acara

I would be concerned with a drop like that in your PH, how long has the tank been set up? would it be possible that someting else has died fish or plants, how much food is being fed, are you using a undergravel filter. Does the water smell like something has died. I store my water in 22l drums as chlorine escapes natually into the air, I always let it stand for at least a week to age, as Binda said seashells and baking soda are good buffers any way good luck, I personally dont test for nitrate or ammonia if you monitor the smell and watch your fish close enough you can pick up any change fairly quickly. The important thing is if your parameters are through the roof dont attempt to change them too quickly. Just use your common sense. Cheers Ian

**Armandi_Fishcarer** · **Moderator**

Hi HB

Definitely your corpses would have contributed a great deal.

You should do small water changes as stated and buffer up your pH
gradually as you don't want to stress your fishes any further.

Keep us updated on the outcome.Goodluck. Wink

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