Stressed GSP in cloudy tank - What can I do?
Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2006 5:54 am
Hi,
I am new to the forum and new to Puffer husbandry, so please excuse any ignorance contained hereafter!
I started a new set up Dec 2005, 90L tank (3.5g marine salt/l) and 1 GASP (plastic plants and plant pots). I attempted to cycle the tank prior to the Puffer going in but I soon discovered that many so called tank start/aid products do nothing other than pollute the water. At the time however I was under the impression the tank had cycled sufficiently after about 10 days. I added the Puffer mid Dec 2005 and tested the water daily for Ammonia, Nitrite and occasionally Nitrate. I soon realized the tank was far from cycled so began the constant, often daily, 50% (or more) water changes!
For the first 2 weeks or so I managed to stay on top of things and the Puffer appeared OK (I appreciate he was probably stressed physically at the cycling process), ate well (small snails crushed up otherwise he doesn't eat them, occassional blood worms but 95% snails) and was mobile etc. To my disappointment however it became obvious that the tank wasn't cycling at all. I decided to change a couple of things, sand instead of gravel as a substrate, a couple of garden pots etc. and reminded myself to be patient. Mid Jan 2006 the tank still required frequent if not daily changes, ammonia often above 1, Nitrite 0.5, Nitrate rarely over 25. I have always added ammo-lock to the tank in excess so I was satisfied Ammonia was present however 'safe', Nitrate rarely exceeded 1 and was changed as soon as possible over 0.5. Again I thought be patient the tank WILL cycle.
Mid Jan 2006 I started experiencing problems with water clarity. A very light white suspension in the water, too fine for the fluval that became more and more dense over time. Rather than reduced through water changes to was actually made worse (not initially but over time after the change). More of a worry is the effect on the Puffer. On the first occasion he was upside down on the water surface hardly moving. I quickly transferred to another tank and he picked up almost immediately. I tested the water quality and ammonia 0.1 (loads of ammo lock available in the water if required), Nitrite 0.5 ish, no Nitrate pH approx. 8. Over every surface was a light white residue so I decided to completely re-start the tank so to speak. I scrubbed clean every surface, completely flushed the filter medium (in very hot tap water) and cleaned inside the tank etc. I also removed a marine glo bulb (I have a duo twin hood) and replaced the original sun glo (also wrapped the bulbs in tin foil to reduce light levels in tank, now 50%). When I added the Puffer all looked fantastic. After this daily water changes and off I went. I always add Aqua + water conditioner and there is always surplus ammo lock if the water conditions should spike unexpectedly.
Again I was disappointed at the water quality over the next week but again I continued daily changes and testing. Water clarity continued to vary and I continued to complete large water changes but the cloudiness has remained. I finally decided to try filter aid to clear the water 4 days ago and it worked very well. Water clarity was 100% in 3 hours. The next day however the cloudiness started to return. Yesterday I completed water test 0 ammonia, 0.25 (at worst) Nitrite, 10 ish Nitrate (or less) but decided to complete a 50% water change anyway due to cloudiness. The last straw was this morning when I check the tank and it's no more than 50% clarity! More disturbing the puffer is upside down in the corner again. I rolled him over then he lept on to the top of the filter housing. It was the clearest demonstration possible that he did not want to be in the water! I quickly transferred him to a 'safe' container and he immediately picked up. I tested the water and ammonia 0, Nitrite 0.25 (no more than) Nitrate 0, pH approx. 8. I decided to add more filter aid which as I write this has already cleared the tank and I will add the Puffer back to the same water, I simply cannot find a water level to explain this.
Can someone please provide a little guidance? I have tried everything I can think of and I suspect the water cloudiness, if allowed to continue, will finish my poor puffer off.
UPdate I changed the water 100% as when I added the Puffer back to the tank he went dark belly and quiet. I've scrubbed the tank, removed the plant pots as I have a slight concern about suitability and added ammo -lock as I figure the tank is probably back to square one. Unfortunately within 20 mins the tank is cloudy again, this must be the filter medium which I didn't clean as I wanted to give the bacteria a chance. Was this a mistake and should I have scrubbed the medium or perhaps added a new one?
Regards, Dan..
I am new to the forum and new to Puffer husbandry, so please excuse any ignorance contained hereafter!
I started a new set up Dec 2005, 90L tank (3.5g marine salt/l) and 1 GASP (plastic plants and plant pots). I attempted to cycle the tank prior to the Puffer going in but I soon discovered that many so called tank start/aid products do nothing other than pollute the water. At the time however I was under the impression the tank had cycled sufficiently after about 10 days. I added the Puffer mid Dec 2005 and tested the water daily for Ammonia, Nitrite and occasionally Nitrate. I soon realized the tank was far from cycled so began the constant, often daily, 50% (or more) water changes!
For the first 2 weeks or so I managed to stay on top of things and the Puffer appeared OK (I appreciate he was probably stressed physically at the cycling process), ate well (small snails crushed up otherwise he doesn't eat them, occassional blood worms but 95% snails) and was mobile etc. To my disappointment however it became obvious that the tank wasn't cycling at all. I decided to change a couple of things, sand instead of gravel as a substrate, a couple of garden pots etc. and reminded myself to be patient. Mid Jan 2006 the tank still required frequent if not daily changes, ammonia often above 1, Nitrite 0.5, Nitrate rarely over 25. I have always added ammo-lock to the tank in excess so I was satisfied Ammonia was present however 'safe', Nitrate rarely exceeded 1 and was changed as soon as possible over 0.5. Again I thought be patient the tank WILL cycle.
Mid Jan 2006 I started experiencing problems with water clarity. A very light white suspension in the water, too fine for the fluval that became more and more dense over time. Rather than reduced through water changes to was actually made worse (not initially but over time after the change). More of a worry is the effect on the Puffer. On the first occasion he was upside down on the water surface hardly moving. I quickly transferred to another tank and he picked up almost immediately. I tested the water quality and ammonia 0.1 (loads of ammo lock available in the water if required), Nitrite 0.5 ish, no Nitrate pH approx. 8. Over every surface was a light white residue so I decided to completely re-start the tank so to speak. I scrubbed clean every surface, completely flushed the filter medium (in very hot tap water) and cleaned inside the tank etc. I also removed a marine glo bulb (I have a duo twin hood) and replaced the original sun glo (also wrapped the bulbs in tin foil to reduce light levels in tank, now 50%). When I added the Puffer all looked fantastic. After this daily water changes and off I went. I always add Aqua + water conditioner and there is always surplus ammo lock if the water conditions should spike unexpectedly.
Again I was disappointed at the water quality over the next week but again I continued daily changes and testing. Water clarity continued to vary and I continued to complete large water changes but the cloudiness has remained. I finally decided to try filter aid to clear the water 4 days ago and it worked very well. Water clarity was 100% in 3 hours. The next day however the cloudiness started to return. Yesterday I completed water test 0 ammonia, 0.25 (at worst) Nitrite, 10 ish Nitrate (or less) but decided to complete a 50% water change anyway due to cloudiness. The last straw was this morning when I check the tank and it's no more than 50% clarity! More disturbing the puffer is upside down in the corner again. I rolled him over then he lept on to the top of the filter housing. It was the clearest demonstration possible that he did not want to be in the water! I quickly transferred him to a 'safe' container and he immediately picked up. I tested the water and ammonia 0, Nitrite 0.25 (no more than) Nitrate 0, pH approx. 8. I decided to add more filter aid which as I write this has already cleared the tank and I will add the Puffer back to the same water, I simply cannot find a water level to explain this.
Can someone please provide a little guidance? I have tried everything I can think of and I suspect the water cloudiness, if allowed to continue, will finish my poor puffer off.
UPdate I changed the water 100% as when I added the Puffer back to the tank he went dark belly and quiet. I've scrubbed the tank, removed the plant pots as I have a slight concern about suitability and added ammo -lock as I figure the tank is probably back to square one. Unfortunately within 20 mins the tank is cloudy again, this must be the filter medium which I didn't clean as I wanted to give the bacteria a chance. Was this a mistake and should I have scrubbed the medium or perhaps added a new one?
Regards, Dan..