Hi all, this is Bob. I just finished transferring him from a 10 gal tank to this 5 gal (the 10 was just too big for our space), but also used the opportunity to treat for illness. He was looking really sluggish, and I had recently noticed a white growth at the base of his top fin that freaked me out.
It's been next to impossible to keep nitrates down, even after water changes, so I wanted to do a thorough cleanup to get most of the waste out that might be stuck in the bottom. I didn't wash the rocks, just vac'd and put them in the smaller tank. I didn't touch the filter, put it on the smaller tank just as it was. But I did fill with 100% new water. I also had a feeling the 78° was still too cold for him. The smaller tank has an incandescent light in the lid and hopefully adds some extra heat, plus kept the same heater so I hope that helps warm things up more. Bob is the only resident and there are no plants.
During the transition, I kept him in a 1gal with heater and bubbler, for 4 days, changing about 20% daily because both the nitrates and nitrates kept spiking badly. I also added aquarium salt and dosed with seachem polyguard twice.
This is Bob in the new setup. Since being in here he has developed these red colour streaks. I'm hoping these are a good colour change?
He seems to be a little more active than before. In the old tank he would nap in his rock cave or just lay at the bottom most of the day. Yesterday he sat on top of the heater all day. I figure he was probably recovering from the transition stress. Now he's starting to swim about a bit which is a huge relief.
He still looks really droopy though, and hanging out at the top now which is very different for him. Could it be that he just likes the heat from the light up there?
Fins are still raggedy, which I expect is normal that they will take a while to heal. That white growth is still there too. Should I keep dosing with polyguard until that's gone? Use something different? And what about salt, should I put more than usual in?
Any advice would be appreciated, still learning here. Thanks!
https://www.reddit.com/gallery/1isegc4
Posted by filteredpineapple
4 Comments
Also, these are my parameters just now
https://preview.redd.it/go8qopv6xwje1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3eaaa331a537765e482aafc1fb56cd53a7342f47
Looks much better, try putting an Indian almond leaf in his tank! The tannins will make the water a little brownish but it helps keep infection and fungus at bay while moisturizing his skin. Also stress coat has helped me in the past when paired with the Indian almond leaf. You can get both on Amazon!
he needs tannins!! look up tannin tea, it’s a great way to get the brown water effect without having to spend a bunch of money on cattapa leaves and mopani wood (although both are great sources of tannins too!)
you need to get a liquid water test kit. Strips arent as accurate and also dont test ammonia which is a big cause for illnesses. API master water test kit liquid is recommended. you can get it on amazon for about $35 it will be more accurate, tests what you need, lasts a long time