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My husband cleaned the 55 gallon tank today and killed many of our fish What happened2007-11-24 23:39:21

We usually clean the tank, as we have done for over a year, every weekend. The only thing different is that our convicts had babies a week ago, and we skipped a cleaning so as not to disturb the new family. We have grow lights and the algae was pretty visible in the water after missing a week. When he got done, five of the fish were dead within an hour. They are swimming like they are half paralyzed. Some are better now, but some didn't make it. Are they in shock from stirring up the algae?

Answers:

Hmm, could he have had something on his hands or arms? Soap, lotion, some kind of household cleaner, working on the car or some other man thing lol? Definitely not from stirring up the algae. Did he dechlorinate the water?

And, nothing wrong with changing your water every week, I've done it for the past 6 years, and I know lots of other people that do as well. So keep up with that. That post says he/she had fish that lived 18-24 months? I've got some of my originals that I've had for 6 years. Changing 20% of your water every week will NOT cause your tank to cycle.

End of rant, sorry but I'm so tired of mis-information being put out by beginners, 18-24 months, please.

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how much of the water did you change? Ive heard only change 1/3 or the water so you dont disturb the balence in the water to much

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Sounds like too much water was changed. Did he change more water since the tank was dirties? Even if not, If its been longer, you need to take out less water than normal. It messes with the surroundings that they've gotten used to. I made that mistake a few times before I learned what I was doing wrong.

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He has to put them in the same kind of water that they are in while in the tank the change in water temp. may kill them or out them in shock

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If more than 50% was changed out the differences in KH, GH and pH parameters between the old tank water and the newly added water could have shocked the fish.

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First of all, when cleaning a large tank. remove fish into containers or bags containing the old tank water. Next remove rocks and clean fully then clean tank with warm water and mild soap to remove all algae, make sure to rinse soap out repeatedly until gone. Next set tank up to meet your needs(clean rocks, plants, jewels,etc.) Add water, if using tap water be sure to treat it with Aqua Safe water treater or a similar type. This adds a stress coat to the fish so they won't get sick and die it also nuetralizes contaminates in the water. Next set up filters, heaters etc. , turn on and allow the water to flter for 2 hours or so before adding the fish. Now adding the fish: if fish are in bags this is much easier. Place fish (contained in their bags with old tank water)into tank.. they will float about on top. allow the fish to get used to the temperature of the new water approx. 15-20mins. when releasing fish into water, open bag, submerse under water and allow fish to aclimate to the water ..coax fish out of bag with old water into new water. That is how it should be done. I know from experience. If not done this way fish coud get sick with viruses or get ich or just stress out and die.

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First you should only change your 20% of the water ever two to three weeks not every weekend. Secondly it could be your your Ph was wrong after the change. Third it could be the temperature was wrong and the fish went into shock and died. Or all three or a combination of the three could have dont this to your fish. And Fourth you NEVER use soap to clean your tank (soap will kill your fish), there are brushes that you can buy at a fish store to clean the glass. The algae had nothing to do with hurting the fish or even killing the fish if its only been a week past due but since you change the water every week yes it can kill the fish. The reason you shouldn't change your water every is that your tank goes through a cycle and the Ph needs to stabilize. You also should check your Ph level by testing the water. I use to check the temperature of the water everyday and I'd check the Ph once a week and changed my water every three weeks and I had fish that would live for 18 to 24 months. Yes some died before then but others lived for along time. And never buy fish from Pet smart or Walmart they will most likely die within two months and/or make your other fish sick and die. Get your fish at a good fish store that takes good care of their fish.

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Do you have chlorine in your water? I know we do and have to use chlorine nuetralizer otherwise the fish start dying

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actually you can change as much as 70% of the water and it will not harm the bacteria I do it every week been what was the temp before and after he changed it?

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these are classic signs of chlorine poisoning, per above