Help!

[Loachy]

Hi everyone,

I'm a bit concerned about one of my clown loaches. Before leaving for a 3 day trip, I noticed a bit of an algea problem but decided to take care of it when I got back since it was time for a water change. All the readings were fine when I left and were the same when i got back:

Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 40
pH: 7.0
Temp: 80

I performed my usual water change yesterday but changed more water than usual... closer to 50%. I cleaned the glass and ornaments as usual with my sponge, vacuumed the gravel, and treated the new water as usual. I had noticed a dark green buildup on one of the ornaments and cleaned it off easily with the sponge. I also removed one of the silk plants because i noticed some dark spots on it. The only new thing i added was API Algeafix to control the algea problem. Because I used the Algeafix, I did not add Cycle like I normally do. Was planning on adding cycle today. The readings this morning were:

Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 20
pH: 7.0
Temp: 80

All of my clowns look fine (according to me). My larger clown (approx. 5 in.) is normally very subdued and doesn't often venture out while the lights are on. He spends his time in his castle and I often find him napping on his side. Today, however, he has been out since the lights came on and has been doing some fast loachy dancing... I have never seen him loachy dancing like this and I've had him for almost 4 yrs. All my other fish are being themselves. Should I not worry and just give him a few days?

I have never used Algeafix so I just want to make sure I haven't done something stupid.

I've noticed some of the algea settle back on the plants so i was thinking of taking them out and rinsing them. Bad idea?

Thanks for your input.

[Emma Turner]

Hi Loachy,

I wouldn't advise the use of chemical additives to control algae problems, expecially in a loach tank where the occupants will be more sensitive to products added to the water. There are better ways of addressing algae problems.

Have you checked with API as to whether this product is safe for use with 'scale-less' species? I think I would be inclined to run a Polyfilter to remove the product from the water quickly if you suspect that the loaches are behaving abnormally, then carry out another water change.

Can you describe the algae in more detail for us, or include a photograph? Any idea of your phosphate level (test kits are available) and also, how long do you leave the tank lights on for per day? Does the tank receive any natural sunlight?

Emma

[Loachy]

Thanks for the reply Emma!

No, I have not checked with API to see if it is safe for 'scale-less' fish. I will look on their website and try and to look for a customer service number.

What is a Polyfilter? Can you recommend a brand?

Not sure what the phosphate level is at right now. I do not have test kit for that but will try to get one this afternoon.

The algea that I see on the plants and ornaments seems to be fuzzy and stringy.

The tank does not receive much natural light and the lights are currently set to come on at 11:00 a.m. and to go off at 10:00 p.m.

I'm working on getting some pictures.

[Loachy]

This is the clown doing the fast loachy dancing... he looks healthy to me (he stops if I go near the tank):




The other clowns (they look fine and are acting normally):



Algea on one of the plastic plants:


Algea in filter intake tube (sorry the pic is sideways):


Any help is greatly appreciated.

[Emma Turner]

Loachy,

A Polyfilter is a pricey but rather excellent piece of filter media (manufactured by Underworld) that removes all sorts of nasties from the tank water. It changes colour depending on what is being absorbed from the water, which you can then compare with the guide and it tells you what it's taken out. Here is one site that sells them, but other sites stock them, as do reputable LFS's:
http://www.underworldproducts.co.uk/aqu ... filter.htm

If the loaches show any signs of distress after adding the anti-algae liquid, I would run one of these in the filter to make sure it is all removed. Just keep a close eye on them. It may not be needed at all, but I would be very wary of adding such products to a loach tank in the future.

Let us know what level your phosphates are on. Also check your source water. I think I'd also be inclined to lower your photoperiod slightly.

Emma

[KLKelly]

Someone on another forum lost a dear fish when he added algaecide and it was algaefix. It was horrible. Ever since reading that thread I will never use it and I live with nasty black brush algae. I don't want to go through the process of blacking out the tank. I figure it helps with ammonia and eating extra nutrients... just looks ugly. I'd link to the thread but I don't want you to worry more.

There were two shubunkin goldfish in a 90 gallon tank. ONe died the other lived.

I would do what ever you can to get it out of the water... I don't have clowns so I don't know how much water you can change each day safely.

I would add fresh carbon to the filter or look into what the above poster mentioned. It has to take out chemicals.

[KLKelly]

I'd add a double dose of prime also.

I will link to the threads. ... there may be something that will help you:

It starts on page two of this thread - it was recommended he not add it as someone else had a bad experience:

http://thegab.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t ... c&start=15

He contacted them and got nowhere:
http://thegab.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t ... r&start=15

I am one of the ones that consider my fish as almost like part of the family. Most members of the Goldfish and Aquarium Board forum are like this also. It is heartbreaking to lose any fish and I hope that no one else uses this product.

[Loachy]

I had my husband stop by our local LFS on his way home from work and pick up the Poly Filter as well as a phosphate test kit. The AFI kit says my phosphates are at 5.0. I immediately put the Poly Filter in my filtration system.

The 7 small clowns and other fish continue to act normally. The big guy seems to have tired himself out and has retired for the night. I really hope he's fine.

I'm really worried and hope that I have acted fast enough. My husband and I love these fish... the large clown in particular... I have had him the longest.

Emma, I know you have a lot of experience with clowns... please let me know if I should do anything else... water changes, prime, etc.

Thanks!

[MTS]

Some algae is normal in a healthy tank. It will also make your plastic plants look real. Don't go overboard trying to get rid of it. The pictures you show don't really look like you have a problem. Your decorating is sort-of a fairy tale style that algae may not look good on. If you move to a more natural style, the algae will look pretty normal.

Also, think about getting some ottos, a bristlenose or SAEs.

[Emma Turner]

I would be inclined to add some phosphate-removing media to the filter, such as Rowaphos. This will help to bring the phosphate level down, and in turn should help keep the algae levels more acceptable.

If the level of phosphates in your source water is high, then you'd be better of using Reverse Osmosis (RO) water for your water changes.

Emma

[Loachy]

Thanks for your reply Emma!

I can't thank you enough for telling me about the Poly Filter, at the very least, it has given me the clearest water I've ever had... and I thought I had pretty clear water.

Luckily my husband also picked up some phosphate removing media while at the LFS yesterday so I've added it.

I tested my source water and got a phosphate reading of 2.0 using the API kit. Is this too high? I did a 25% water change last night and was planning to do another this evening.

Just to update, the rest of my fish are still behaving normally. The larger clown was still doing some loachy dancing this morning but not as much as yesterday... he seemed more himself.

[Emma Turner]

Hi Loachy,

I'm so glad to have been of help. A reading of 2.0 from the source water is not perfect, but it's not disasterous either. It means that it'll be harder to keep the tank water any lower than that, even with phosphate removing media in the filter (kind of a losing battle) so if the reading gets too much higher, I'd recommend switching to RO water. Some fish foods (pellets in particular) can also add a lot of phosphate to the water, so check the labels and feed any offending foods a bit more sparingly, or change them for brands with less phosphate.

It sounds like the fish have settled down now. As long as you keep the nitrates and phosphates within a reasonable level (plenty of partial water changes) and don't leave the lights on for longer than they should be, you really should find that the algae situation improves quite dramatically.

Emma