Fish Tank of Death?

Question

I have a 55 gallon fish tank that we aquired second hand. Despite my best efforts, I've been unable to keep freshwater fish alive in it. We've cycled the tank, the water chronically tests fine, I do proper water changes, and I always add the required chemicals and additives. Still, the fish keep dying.

Is it possible that the tank itself is sick? I'm using new gravel, but the under water filter that came with the tank. The external filter is used, but the filters themselves are new. All the tank's fixtures are new. The fish were purchased at two different stores.

The only signs of illness comes on the dead fish bodies. They look bruised, as if they have internal bleeding, but this only presents AFTER the fish has died.

I wonder if the previous owner washed the tank with soap but I have no way to know for sure. Any advice on what could be going on?

I'm sorry, I meant tropical. The heater seems to be working just fine, the temp is 73 degrees.

I had the aquarium supply store test my water when I had to exchange a dead gourami, even they said it was fine. It's just so frustrating and perplexing! In the past I've raised goldfish and koi (seperately) just fine. Maybe I'm not cut out for tropicals. :-(

Answer 1

There is a disease called septicemia that presents as bloody looking trails under the fish's skin. Although it usually shows up before the fish dies.

If there is something like parasites or disease bacteria hiding in the crevices of the tank that eventually kills everything, then you need to do a complete teardown but leave everything in the tank. Refill with fresh water and add ONE GALLON of bleach, yes bleach. The bleach will kill anything that is in the tank and sterilize it. Leave your filter running so if anything is hiding in the filter, it will be killed also. Let it run for at least 2-3 days.

If you still have fish that are alive before you bleach the tank, remove them and put them in a hospital tank and treat them with an antibiotic. Not knowing what killed the others, you can't be sure it will help, but it couldn't hurt if you follow directions. Who knows, maybe you will save some of them.

Email me, I would like to know if you are successful with the tank after doing this.

When you get ready to start again, drain the tank and refill with fresh water and add a triple dose of De-Chlor. Do this two more times (drain, refill, De-Chlor). It should now be free of any parasites or bacteria of any kind. You will be able to rest assured that it is not the tank now.

Is there someone in the house or that comes to your house for a party or to visit that may have put alcohol in the tank, "to give the fishies a drink?" Someone may have it out for you and be doing something on purpose to give you problems. Drunks have been known to do very irresponsible things.

Good luck!

John

BTW - Ginger, goldfish are coldwater fish and need water at a temperature of 62-65 degrees, no warmer. Any warmer and it puts them under a lot of stress that is eventually fatal. Tropicals are fine in a range of 72-78 degrees. Everything else you mention is good advice.

Answer 2

First, if the previous owner washed the tank with soap, and then you cleaned it with say vinegar and rinsed it well enough with water, chances are, that's not the problem. One thing you mentioned that I see is that the temp is 73 degrees. It should be closer to about 78 for most tropical fish. Goldfish like 70 to 75 degrees. Tropicals, like it a little warmer. Gourami's, well....the temp probably wasn't the issue. When you say that you cycled the tank.....how do you mean you cycled it? It can take up to 6 weeks to properly cycle a tank. If your fish are just dying with no symptoms pryor to death....something is wrong. What kind of fish are you keeping together? The only one you mentioned was gourami. Well, gourami can get aggressive with eachother if you have a few males in there. Could they be killing each other? As for "indestructable fish" as someone else mentioned....mollies are not that. they are actually a bit delicate and prefer a more saline environment. You water parameters are testing fine.....what about your ph? Does it vary or remain stable? If your ph changes back and forth between weekly water changes, it' likely the culprit could be ph shock. When you do water changes, are you using a dechlorinator in the new water? If not, I would guess that to be the problem. It's really kind of hard to determine without more information. The only thing specific that I can see is your water temp. But that's not what the problem is with your "tank of death". I hope you figure it out. : )

Answer 3

This happened to me. I had a "tank of death". I bought mine from a reputable fish store. Another time I bought a tank decoration that killed off two tanks of fish before I realized what was happening.
There are certain chemicals used in manufacturing these products, that when they are not done correctly, they are toxic to the aquariums. It could be anything, the glass, the sealant, anything on the fixtures. There is no way to predict when this will happen, it's just one of those things.
How long did the previous owners have it? Were there fish in it when you bought it? Why did the owners sell it? Maybe it never supported life and that's why they sold it. I'd call them, maybe they will tell you their experiences, maybe they will lie to you.
Unfortunately there is probably nothing you can do either. Talk to the folks who sold it to you, see if they will negotiate with you for some of your money back.

Sorry this happened to you, bummer.


EDIT
You didn't tell me they were Gouramis!!! They can be difficult to keep. Try again with Mollies, Tetras and Platys. They are indestructable and will give you a better idea on your "tank of death".
The brusing you are seeing is normal for dead things nothing from the tank.

Answer 4

By freshwater fish do you mean tropical or goldfish? If they are tropical are you sure your water temperature is correct? If the heater isn't functioning properly then you could be overheating or freezing them. If they are goldfish they require no heater. The best thing to do is talk to a pet store that deals mainly with fish and get their opinion. I had the same problem with goldfish so I switched to freshwater tropicals and surprisingly they do great....6 yrs +. The only chemical I ever added to the water was a chlorine remover. Beyond that I just make sure the temp is correct , only do partial water changes and after a month I added an algae eater to keep the tank clean.
Good luck.

Answer 5

I incredibly suggest you learn "The whole fool's consultant to freshwater aquariums" (no I am no longer calling you an fool) it offers you best main points at the cycle and cleansing regime for freshwater aquariums as good as telling you the bioload headquartered on dimension of tank. You must NEVER use a purifier in an aquarium, even in hint quantities it will kill a fish. You must additionally get your water established (such a lot regional fish shops or puppy shops that deal in fish will scan it free of charge for those who carry them a pattern). Tanks move via a cycle of bad water and simplest the hardiest of fish will in general live to tell the tale that cycle (except you cycle it with out fish.... do a little study). You additionally ought to remember the bio-load of your tank. (for illustration: a 10 gallon JUST opening out shouldn't have any greater than approximately two-four SMALL fish, consider a million inch or so, till it's entirely cycled. Thats wherever from three weeks to eight weeks, you'll ought to scan your water to inform whilst its performed)

Answer 6

from my experience I would get an entirely NEW set-up and see how you do with easy fish as recommended by others. I would never go to the extreme of taking a tank apart and sealing again - oh my goodness - too much work and no guarantees. i had the same problem years ago - there was a reason why the guy gave me everything for very little in payment. he got rid of his tank of death to a kid that only thought she was the problem till she started off with new and had great success. yes, it can be expensive, but i would rather have live fish then floaters. buy one thing at a time. take your time with setting up the tank. so you will have years of enjoyment. good luck!

Answer 7

Bonsylar makes a good point. What if the tank leaked with the previous owner? He may have replaced the sealant and used the wrong type? He might not tell you the truth for fear that you will be angry. Hmmm.

Check out Jungle Laboratories Corp.

Answer 8

i have a beautifull and a lot human like fish too.well i think before u chnage water just store around 4 coffee mug of water aside now after u clean the tank and change water first add old saved water to it and then put the fishes back and just check if there is enough oxygen and filter is working properly.