8 week old tank, cycled with good chemistry. 2 angels, 4 lampeyes, 4 tetras, pleco, bumblebee goby, dwarf puffer. Amazon sword, hornwort, grass, bogwood. Feeding TETPRO crisps, bloodworms. I'm getting 10 rummynose tetras to replace the others this week but I need to make sure I don't have a problem first. Lack of oxygen? I don't have an aerator or oxygenator.
2007-04-24 10:00:53 · 9 answers · asked by PoolMan 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
If you don't have anything to move the water, oxygen won't get to the bottom of the tank. Having plants will produce oxygen, but only when the light are on, and depending on how large they are and the strength of your lighting, it may not be enough for the fish. I would recommend getting a filter - not only will this provide movement for oxygen, it'll help remove particles from the water.
Depending on your tank size, you might want to double-check your ammonia and nitrite levels - these bind to oxygen-carrying molecules in the fish's blood, so this can produce symptoms similar to low tank oxygen.
2007-04-24 10:49:16 · answer #1 · answered by copperhead 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yeh, by an air pump - quick! I had the same problem when I used an ich remedy, it stripped the water of oxygen (which it didn't say it would), and they all went to the surface. When I put an air pump in they were all fine within hours. Also, you say your water chem is fine, I assume you check nitrite as well. High nitrite levels cause the gills not to work properly and the fish cannot breathe, they would then go to the surface anyway, as an instinct. So, check the nitrite, and buy an air pump!
2007-04-24 10:40:13 · answer #2 · answered by Ashley 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When mine do that, it is because the dogs were playing near the tank and pulled out the cord, so the fish weren't getting enough oxygen. So, yes, your theory is correct. Once you get an aerator and your fish start moving deeper into the tank, then you will know that this was the problem.
Sounds like an amazing tank--great job:)
2007-04-28 08:17:57 · answer #3 · answered by pegasus8461 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First let me say congrads on being able to keep angels and dwarf puffers!
Secondly, have you tested your PH? Bogwood has a tendancy to reduce the PH to very low levels.
Also, an aerator will do nothing for your tank. Dissolved oxygen only enters the tank via water moving against air. ie. filters, waterfalls, fountains, waves, and powerheads.
I am not sure what type of filter you are running but perhaps you may try lowering your intake to the bottom of the tank, therefore pulling the lower oxygenated water and replaceing oxygenated water back to the top.
2007-04-25 12:27:12 · answer #4 · answered by danielle Z 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I would get one. I am not sure that the tank has enough surface area or circulation to properly oxygenate the water, and coming to the top, where there is a higher concentration of oxygen sort of proves that.
2007-04-24 10:11:01 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes--I had the same problem. I bought a Aquaclear powerhead and it seemed to do wonders. I have a 72 gal w/ a 20 gal sump.
The powerhead should get the fish back down. It'll also help out with the "dead" spots, and break down the fish' waste faster.
Good luck!
2007-04-24 10:52:36 · answer #6 · answered by lien_air 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Major lack of oxygen. You MUST have good filtration! You need an air-pump and a power filter. And: do regular 25% water changes!
2007-04-24 11:51:49 · answer #7 · answered by DAGIM 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
or....if you have an outside filter, turn the return spout so it skims across the top of the water, but still get an airstone.....
2007-04-24 11:06:50 · answer #8 · answered by DennistheMenace 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
get an airater
2007-04-24 10:58:29 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋