I need immediate help for my goldfish. We've had 4 goldfish for over a year now, which have all been healthy, and in the same tank. In the last month, we've moved, and tried to keep as much of their original water during the move. Since we've moved however, the fish are going pale, refuse to eat, and the nitrates are SUPER high. We did a 30% water change yesterday, and the nitrates are ridiculously high again. One of them is certainly near-death... please help.
2007-04-14 19:12:47 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Fish
My first question is how high is super high? The cause of the high nitrates is somewhere in the tank or coming in the water. Test you tap water for nitrates, if that's high you may need to purchase water for a water change until the tap water levels drop. Keep the tank cool if possible and aerate as much as possible to increase oxygen levels and drive off unwanted gases. Also, how long has this been a problem. Were you at the new location for even a few days before it started? Did it start with you first water change after moving? All these details can help identify the source and from there the remedy. Feel free to email me with the additional info and I'll be glad to help. I'll also check back in a few hors to see if you have added anything to the question.
MM
2007-04-14 19:37:22 · answer #1 · answered by magicman116 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
When you say super high do you mean 20ppm, 30 40? 40 ppm isn't all that high and your fish will be fine. What are your ammonia readings? .5 or less?
The best advice I ever received drop your tank water level by 1/2 inch. This will help with the dissolved oxygen. Even the water changes will help.
You are going to have to test your tap water as well. In the US nitrates are normally not higher than 7ppm but you just never know. Also, you had just moved, when you put your new water into the tank you did use water conditioner or dechlor? Sometimes plumbing that had not been used for a few months have sediment. Your fish could have a high concentration of Irons or metals.
Doing your water changes is good. Drop your water level by 1/2 inch.
How much water did you end up leaving in the tank when you moved?
2007-04-15 04:09:56 · answer #2 · answered by leemucko 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Remove more water. The only surefire way of getting it down is to remove the nitrate infested water with fresh water. Change it daily if need be until it settles.
The other thing you want to check (just in case), since you said you've moved...test your tap water for pH levels and nitrates. I'm not sure if you tested the pH before at your old house, but if it's different than what you are getting now, it could be shocking the fish. And if nitrates are in your tap water....you have a larger problem.
Higher nitrates usually cause problems with poorer filtration or oxygenation. Add some air stones in to get more surface area and more oxygen. Check to make sure that the filter isn't clogged anywhere or got jostled somehow during the move. Remember: the move itself has stressed the fish.
Good luck :) Let us know how they make out.
2007-04-15 02:28:15 · answer #3 · answered by Barb R 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Did your filter media or rocks dry out during the move? This would cause the beneficial bacteria to die. To lower the nitrates in your tank continue to do the water changes make sure you use a declor, wait 15-30 min and then add a beneficial bacteria supplement to re-establish to bacteria. This will help to cycle the tank quicker, it sounds to me like you are going through "new tank syndrome".
2007-04-15 08:27:58 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe you broke your filter/s when moving... or you feed your fish too much.... or maybe you put your aquarium in a place exposed in too much sunlight... too much sunlight develops too much algae too.. if you do... move it in another place with lesser sunlight.... or move your fish in another temporary tank then perform a complete aquarium clean up... like the sands... artificial corals... plants... filters... oxygen... then after that.... put back the filters... etc.. then run it for 1-3 days but do not return the fish so the tank will get the proper alkanity level...
check this site... it hs links on the left side where you can see the guide for fish...
www.animalplanet.com
2007-04-15 04:20:52 · answer #5 · answered by xXshuyinXx 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'm a stickler for recycling. Do you have a cat?
2007-04-15 02:23:51 · answer #6 · answered by TameBeast 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋