Need help with my freshwater aquarium...?

Question

I've had a 20 gal. freshwater aquarium for about 6 months now. Recently almost all of the fish died and I'm not sure what's wrong with the tank. I tested the water and it seems to fine in terms of Gh, Kh, PH, nitrites and nitrates. The filter is working properly (I think, although I'm not sure how often I should be replacing the sponge pad or the carbon filter). I've noticed that there is a film, kind of like oil without the rainbow, on the top of the water. Anyone know what this might be? I change the water (about 20%) every couple of weeks. There also seems to be quite a buildup of algae on the fake rock things that I put in there. Is that bad? I bought an algae eater fish but it died before a week or so. If I need to get rid of the algae, what is the best way to do it? Just scrub it off with a brush? It seems like it would stay floating in the water unless I changed almost all of the water out, and I don't think that is good for an established tank either, please help, frustrated!

Answer 1

The surface film and presence of nuisance algae is an indicator of excessive dissolved organic compounds and possibly lack of surface agitation. Also sounds like insufficient filtration. What are your exact nitrate levels? Nitrates should be maintained below 40ppm.

What type of fish are in the tank and how many?

You may want to increase your water change method to 25%-33% weekly (up from 20% every two weeks). Depending on what type of filters you run, add a CUP of carbon and run that in your tank for about a week.

Algae is not bad, per se, but can be an indicator of poor tank husbandry if your tank is overrun with it or your water becomes greenish.

Carbon effectiveness degrades over time. I'd recommend changing it out every two weeks (dependent upon how fully stocked your tank is). Clean/replace your filter media at about the same interval. Run multiple filters so you don't eliminate all your benenficial bacteria at once (when changing/cleaning your filter media).

Answer 2

I had freshwater aquariums returned interior the Nineteen Seventies however the 1st time I observed a saltwater aquarium I knew that selection into what i needed. The fish, corals and coralline algae are prettier IMO than what you're able to do with freshwater fish. there is no answer to the value. If value bothers you do some thing else. the maintenance would properly be decreased with kit. I even have geared up an automated precise off equipment and calcium reactor to decrease the on a regular basis chores. it is my 2 cents. sturdy success on the speech.

Answer 3

What kind of filter? Do you have an air stone or something else that will disturb the water surface?Is there an odor? If there is a scum on the surface the fish may have died from lack of oxygen.The gas exchange (bad air out,good air in) takes place at the surface of the water and surface tension needs to be broken by the flow from a filter or bubbles from an air stone. Look into a Biowheel type filter,they are lousy filters,but great oxygenators. Hope this helps. Oh ,oh, wait, the bacteria that manage the ammonia in the tank also run on oxygen,too. Good luck, PeeTee

Answer 4

How about temperature? Do you have an aquarium heater? Temperature should remain pretty consistent and it need to be set according to the kind of fish that you have. Make sure your tank is not below a heater vent - Everyone seems to have covered most of the usual stuff, so I won't bore you with a repeat. The only other thing is to make sure you aren't introducing any chemicals into the room that could land on the surface of the water and use equipment specifically for the tank (for example don't use the mop bucket to add water or spray cleaners or anything around the tank) Best of luck!

Answer 5

is your airpump made for a 20 gallon?.....is the filter made for 20 gallon?....how many fish do you have in your tank?.....is the tank away from direct sunlight?.......when you refill the 20%, do you check the temperature?....you can change the sponge when you think it's filthy...I'm thinking your filter is not strong enough for your 20 gallon to have film floating...or you could be over-feeding....also you might consider buying better brand of fish food....hikari or san fran are good brands..omega as well.....you could scrub the algae and then drain a little more water out..when you refill, the filter should clear the tank within 12 to 24 hours if you have a good filtering system....

Answer 6

wow !
start over. clean the tank. Boil the gravel. Rinse the heck out of it. Throw away the "Fake rock & things". Why not use real rock, (granite or quartzite or quartz or sandstone). Get real stone, wash with soap water, rinse thoroughly, and boil it before putting it in. Get a different filter. Don't change your water THAT much. It seems excessive. and make sure that it is aged to dechlorinate it, and that its the same temperature. Plant some real plants to use the minerals and light (It will shade the tank so algae has competetion for resourses to grow) Get a different light for it. I hope you turn off the light at night. and I think you didn't mention temperature. Are you maintaining healthy temperature for the fish?

Answer 7

first off, if you have a charcol filter rinse the pad out everytime you clean the tank, thats probably what happened, Take out everything scrub the rocks and decorations with a toothbrush, Take a sponge to the walls of the tank, for the rocks/sand. For the rocks rinse them off really well in a strainer for like pasta. If you have sand im sorry I dont know how to clean it. Probably better to replace the sand or rocks w/e you use for the bottom. then put new charcol in the filter pad... Make sure its the right kind not just regular to light a grill up with.

Answer 8

it sounds like something was introduced into the tank did you or anyone eles use windex or a glass cleaner to clean the glass.
second the alge is from to much light and phosphates cut your light use down and then add a phosphates remover into the filter trtra makes a good one.