2nd time fungus problem need help...

[Tim804]

Hello all. First time to this site and need some help. I had a fungus attack my tank about 4 months ago, killed all the fish. Well I took out all plants and rocks ran them under hot water. Took out all the water and asically resetup the tank. I let the tank set up for about 1 1/2 months before adding fish. I added new fish and everything was fine, now approx. 2 months later, another fungus hits the tank, kills all the fish again... This is my first tank and im almost ready to give up, due to this fungus.... I havent changed anything in the tank, and water changes were done every month (25%). I have researched this stuff and cant firgure out whats going on. This is a 44 gal. pentagon tank, more vertical than horizontal, I had live plants in there along with artificial, pretty much a normal tank, Emperor filter. I just put in an underground filtration system (using an air pump, no powerheads yet) in it after this last fungus attack, is that beneficial or a waste of money??? Any information would be greatly appreciated!!!!
Oh also since I have put in the underground filtration system I have gotten a NASTY smell from the water... I used the same gravel and plants that were in there, what is this smell from? It literally smells up the whole room!
Thanks for any help!!
Thanks,
Tim

 

[H2O]

What are the symtoms of the fungus? How do you know that's what it is? If it is a fungus, I don't know much about it (someone else who reads this may be able to help with that with more info) but I do have some other suggestions:

-Undergravel filters IMO are a waste of money-and trap lots of debris. You are better off doing a thorough gravel vacuuming with water changes.
-Do you check your water levels regularly? (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate?)
-You should consider more frequent water changes, especially with a newer tank. (1 10-20% change per week, depending on water testing)

Hopefully, this will help some. Don't give up on the hobby just yet-with some small changes, you should be able to have a healthy tank.

 

[Tim804]

Thanks for the reply H2O.
-Well the fungus symtoms are a cotton like substance which covers the fish, body and eyes. From start of the attack to finish (dead, unfortuneatly) is about 6-8 hours. It is a powerful fungus. This includes trying to use a fungus medication.
-As for the undergravel filter, I am just trying something different, I have heard good and bad. I dont use this as my primary filtration, I have an Emporer over the back filteration system as my primary. I just want to add extra movement to try to help keep the tank clean.
-I have an ammonia and nitrate testers and do check regularly, they do stay stable, however if they do climb I use Prime to get the levels back down.
-I used to do weekly water changes, 25%, however when I talked to my local fish store they said to only do monthly, because weekly water changes take out good bacteria. See I am a rookie in this hobby and Im taking in all the info I can, usually I get info that contradicts each other. So I am trying to figure out as I go. I dont want to give up this hobby, it is awesome, and I want to get the multiple tank syndrome, but I need to figure out this one first! I am glad I found this site, it does seem to be very infomative!!!
-I did talk to my local fish store yesterday and they said to use an antifungus additive when doing water changes or adding new fish, etc., im not sure of the name but they swear by it. I was wondering if you or anyone else knows good or bad about this?
Thanks again for your and anyone elses help, im sure I will have more questions.....
Thanks
Tim

 

[Lotus]

It sounds more like a bacterial infection to me, possibly some kind of disease of the slime coat. If you find out the name of the medication, please share it, and maybe someone has some experience with it. I wouldn't add medications at each water change unless you're treating for visible signs of disease, as it could lead to disease resistance.

Water changes do not take out the bacteria, as the bacteria live on hard surfaces, not in the water. Weekly water changes are the best for your fish, IME.

This site has pictures of various diseases, which might help you identify what you have: http://www.fishpalace.org/Disease.html

 

[Tim804]

Yes that website has the 2 sets of fungus I have, well my fish had. Body fungus and cotton fin fungus.
So when I do weekly water changes, I wouldnt clean the gravel? Water change only?
I will find out about that fungus additive and post as soon as I find out.
Thanks
Tim

 

[Tim804]

Ok I found out the name...... Pimafix... Which now as I said in my past reply I had a contradicting situation... The person I talked to today said NOT to use this as an additive when doing water changes, etc. When I talked to someone from the same store yesterday they said to definately use it during water changes, etc. I do agree to only use it when the fish have a problem. So does anyone know good or bad about this pimafix?

 

[prettypleco]

It is a good product however i would NOT use it for water changes as that is NOT what it is for. Sorry you are having problems with your tank. You should change 25% of your water weekly while vacuuming your gravel. Do your own research. Don't trust most fish store people. When adding new fish they should be quarantined before adding to your tank if possible. Good luck and don't give up. That which doesn't kill us makes us stronger.

 

[Tim804]

Thats what I kinda thought. I will only use it as needed.. I will start doing weekly water changes again, I thought that it would be good to do! Thanks for the info!

Also.... I learned another thing today. When I added the fungus medication it said to remove the carbon from the filter but to continue filtering.... WELL..... My emporer filter has the carbon in the filter along with the filter itself. Well I figured I should leave it in because nothing would filter if it was taken out..... DUMB... I was told today I should cut the filter open and take out the carbon and put the filter back in....Well I think that that had alot to do with my fish not surviving, the medicine wasnt working to its full potential... So that was a huge rookie move......

 

[prettypleco]

Don't beat yourself up over it. Chances are the fish would have succumbed anyway. Any plans for future stocking?

 

[Tim804]

Yes I will definately restock, after of course I clean up the tank a little more. Originally I had 2 pacu, 2 blood gourami, 1 clown knife, and 2 pink (kissing) gourami. Actually that tank was working great with the variety of fish, no problems between them (they were all the same size approximately). My big plan was to let them grow and I have (2) 55 gallon tanks I was going to move the clown knife and pacu into 1 of them.
So I would like to go with another clown knife again, I really like them. Most likely some gourami. I wouldnt mind trying some form of shark (had one before the first fungus attack, a bala shark)... Im definately more into the semi-aggresive fish. Once I get this tank figured out I will start another and definately have 2 tanks with a variety of fish... any suggestions???

 

[prettypleco]

I like a peaceful kingdom. However i am partial to angel fish and cichlids in general. So many fish so little room for tanks! There are so many knowledgeable people on this forum. I am sure they can help. Especially Orion, Lotus, Seleya to name just a few. Happy fish keeping!

 

[Tim804]

I too like the angels, had 2 before the 1st attack also. This hobby is very addicting im noticing! Any ideas of semi-aggressive fish that would get along im open to the comments. It will be a few weeks before I do get new fish. I want to ake sure everything is back to normal...

 

[prettypleco]

I go to the fish store and window shop. I write down the names of fish i like and do a little research on them and their compatibility. Sometimes i take risks. I recently added a male betta to a community tank with guppies. It has worked out fine so far. It really depends on what catches your eye and interests you. I see you will soon have MTS. It bites hard.

 

[Tim804]

Yes thats what I do also. just walk the stores. Good idea about research, I do a little research but usually just with the fish stores in my area.

 

[prettypleco]

There are a gazillion forums [ this being the best ] and websites. You'll find some conflicting info at times. But keep in mind anyone can put up a website. I find most the info you get here is reliable. If you don't know your stuff someone will come along and blast you out of the water. I also subscribe to several aquarium rags. I avoid the chain stores for fish buying and info. It can get pretty pathetic.

 

[Tim804]

I have had luck at the Petsmart, plus they are cheaper than the actual fish store as far as buying fish. The info though through the sales people that im taking lightly. I do like the info on this site and I agree, it helps to stick to one or 2 places for information, otherwise you have conflicts between multiple forms of information. Thats been my problem lately!!!

 

[prettypleco]

Petsmart is reasonable but they also house incompatable fish together. Like goldfish with tropical. People come in see them in the same tank and buy them.. They stick a heater in their tank and fry the goldfish or don't put one in and freeze the tropicals. I could go on and on here. Get the basics down and you are almost at home base.

 

[Tim804]

Stupid question here.... Does it help or hurt to have a heater in a tank with goldfish? Dont they need a stable temperature also???

 

[prettypleco]

They are coldwater fish. Room temp is fine so they don't need a heater.

 

[prettypleco]

And yes it should be stable. Meaning no vast fluctuations.