Need help with albino cory---breathing problem?

Taratron · Post by **Taratron** » 30 Aug 2003, 03:32

Tank: 20 gallons
Been running since last June
AC 200 filter
Handfuls of hornwort, some strands a foot long
Some java moss

Other life: 2 mollies (one of them a balloon, both female), 3 albino cories, 2 bristlenose plecos (one going to an lfs next week).

A few days ago, the golden wonder killifish that resided in the tank died. I suspect the cause was the now gone male molly picking on it. On the same day, I did a 25% water change.

Now, I'm worried about one of my cories: it leans on its side, almost lying down on its side sometimes, and doesn't move much save to breathe. When I act to net it, it springs up and takes off. Okay, thinks I, this does not seem to be a common cory game. What gives?

On Wednesday, when I removed the male molly (and the killifish died), I removed a tree-branch ornament; there's a hole in the bottom of said ornament, and the foulest reek stench came from the hole as I rinsed the ornament off. I rinsed it several times, filled and emptied the hole, and the smell diminished. It smelled like bad water, like burnt something as well!

Today I noticed another cory leaning to its side, springing up and away when I get the net. Also, my balloon molly female was dangerously almost floating on one side near the top of the water level.

WHAT is going on????

(tests done 30 mins ago)
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 30ppm
Cl: 0
pH: 8.4

Post by **Silurus** » 30 Aug 2003, 04:32

IS the "tree branch ornament" an actual branch, or is it something made from plastic?

Taratron · Post by **Taratron** » 30 Aug 2003, 04:41

Plastic. It's been in the tank for several months now. Should I remove it?

Post by **Silurus** » 30 Aug 2003, 04:46

Sounds like whatever was in the hole was poisoning the water. I can't even hazard a guess as to what caused the smell.

Taratron · Post by **Taratron** » 30 Aug 2003, 04:56

Not a clue----it's not rotting smell, as if something died in there. But it really stinks like something is burnt up.

Take the branch ornament out?

EDIT: I pulled the ornament tonight. Gods, it reeks! Smells like someone torched the inside of it....it's plastic, but still.

Post by **Barbie** » 30 Aug 2003, 09:08

You don't mention what substrate you have in the tank, but I'm going to guess and say its sand? And its more than an inch deep? If that is the case, you need to siphon out some of the sand. Anaerobic pockets will release toxic gas in your tank, and they positively reek. They form anywhere oxygenated water doesn't flow.

Barbie

Taratron · Post by **Taratron** » 30 Aug 2003, 11:09

Actually, it's gravel.....around an inch of gravel.