Breathing Issue

[cmstwc]

I just noticed my cory breath very rapidly. My water is not the best but should be fairly good. No2: 0.3mg/l Nh3,Nh4: .25mg/l Temp 80F (27C) Ph: 7. Water change almost on a daily basis, 20-35% usually. Filter media cleaned every 3-4 days. Anyone has any idea of what might causing this problem? Thanks in advance!

[DJ-don]

No2: 0.3mg/l Nh3,Nh4: .25mg/l

these levels to my personal opinion is not good
are you using dechlorinater too?

[mod edit: fix quote tag --Mats]

[MatsP]

Nitrite (NO2) and ammonia presence in the water indicates that the biological filtration doesn't work right. Keep doing water changes to keep the ammonia and nitrite low, and make sure you use a dechlorinator to avoid killing the good bacteria in the filter. Reduce the feeding to once a day, to reduce the amount of ammonia produced - feed only once a day, and half the usual amount.

--
Mats

[DJ-don]

if nitrates and ammonia are also high put some plants in. they will eat all the nitrites and ammonia while ur biological bacteria gets back to pace

[cmstwc]

No2: 0.3mg/l Nh3,Nh4: .25mg/l

these levels to my personal opinion is not good
are you using dechlorinater too?

[mod edit: fix quote tag --Mats]

This is really strange for me. I did dose melafix a few days ago due to an injury fish. So I stopped WC for a few days. I am using dechlorinator and do have lots of plant in there. I did water change after testing the water. And this is no improvement. Should I keep water changing?

[DJ-don]

what filter do you use?
you can get nitrate removers with certain filters such as the rena filters

[cmstwc]

what filter do you use?
you can get nitrate removers with certain filters such as the rena filters

It is a tetra 30. I just replaced a new filter media earlier this evening.

Just did another 5g water change. testing water again. Cant go to sleep with worrying about my fish.

[cmstwc]

No2 is getting down to around <0.3mg/l. NH3, NH4 : close to 0mg/l

[wrasse]

Hi there,

It might be the fresh water you are adding thats at fault, have you checked it? Do you have some mature filter media from another tank to use? Check the temp - has the heater stat jammed? (rapid breathing...). In fact what type of cory is it?- some prefer it cooler than others.
Failing that, is there something organic in your tank that you might suspect? hidden dead fish, rotting food, even a rogue piece of bog-wood???

[cmstwc]

Hi there,

It might be the fresh water you are adding thats at fault, have you checked it? Do you have some mature filter media from another tank to use? Check the temp - has the heater stat jammed? (rapid breathing...). In fact what type of cory is it?- some prefer it cooler than others.
Failing that, is there something organic in your tank that you might suspect? hidden dead fish, rotting food, even a rogue piece of bog-wood???

I solved the problem. Thanks! I do aware those issues you have mentioned. I think it was caused by lack of water change due to medication earlier. Plus a bit of over feeding since I got a lot of unpicked up fry hiding under the driftwood. But now they all back to normal.

[Richard B]

Filter media cleaned every 3-4 days.

How are you cleaning the filter media?

[cmstwc]

Filter media cleaned every 3-4 days.

How are you cleaning the filter media?

using tank water =)

[Richard B]

Filter media cleaned every 3-4 days.

How are you cleaning the filter media?

using tank water =)

Cool - gotta check every possibility

[DJ-don]

can i add that make sure the melafix is very poisonous when expired-CHECK THE EXPIRY DATE!!
and water filter are you using?

[apistomaster]

This is a good example for the merits of using two filters. Even just a small sponge filter would do. Clean each filter alternately so there will never be any mini-cycling scenarios as may happen when only one filter is used and cleaned.