Loaches Online Forum

I've got 2 baby clowns in a 20g (I know, I know, but i'm upgrading to a 55 very soon) with a small tiger barb school. My problem is twofold: first, both loaches, but particularly the smaller one seem to have darkened, slightly puffy eyes. I treated for a mild case of ich a while back with maracide and coppersafe, so perhaps this could have cause it? Also, as the barbs are voracious eaters and pick off everything that enters the water (including sinking food and spiriluna!) I'm worried the smaller loach isn't eating. She seems to have lost some vitality, also, and hides more often. The larger loach is very vigorous and continually chases the barbs as well as scouring the bottom for food. Any suggestions on feeding or the eye thing? 1 thing I forgot to mention is that the water was way too hard a while back, I'm now using a water softening pillow and both the Gh and Kh have decreased. PH is about 6.7-8 and Ammonia, nitrates and nitrites are all 0 or very close. Pics are here http://www.flickr.com/photos/36863646@N03/


UPDATE:: The small loach died around 9:00 this morning. I was sort of willing her to live and am very broken up about her death. Her gills were slightly red and inflamed (the male's are too to a lesser degree). He's become more aggresive and now takes food easier, but if it wasn't sarvation that killed her, I'm worried that whatever it was might hurt him. I installed a UV sanitizer and put peat in the filter. Is there anything else I can do? Also, any suggestions on how to make the barbs less food-aggressive would be EXTREMELY appreciated! TY.

Water looks kinda brown/green. Are you using peat in the filter? If so, that'll also help with the hard/alkaline water.
What is a water softening pillow?
A

The green/brown is bad camera lighting. I'm not using peat, but that's a good idea, just like peat moss form Home Depot or wherever? IDK if my LFS sells peat specifically for filtration. The water softening pillow (I think it's from API, not sure) is a resin-filled bag that removes carbonates. I've used them before and they work fairly well for smaller tanks.

Good ol' northern Canadian garden peat from the landscaping/garden shop. Wrap it in some sort of fabric and stuff it into the carbon box/tank of your filter. I used to put it into an old dress-sock. Nylon stocking is much better.

ps: good aeration should remove excess carbonates if your pH is good....