Dropsy problem

[Lowflyer]

Hey guys

I have a tank in my classroom(I'm a teacher) and I'm struggling with dropsy. THe fish are dying like crazy. I've done water changes to try and help the problem, but doesn't seem to be helping.

It's an 80 litre tank with a EHEIM box filter and about 3-4cm thick black gravel. The fish are guppies and platies. Temperature around 25 degrees.

I've been using tap water to top up, and conditioned water to do major water changes. Could it be the tap water causing the dropsy? What else should I look at?

Thanks
Luke

[Firefly]

It could be the tap water. You must condition all your water with a de-chlorinator.
Platies also like some salt in their tanks.Non-iodated aquarium salt. Can't remember dosage,sorry.

[Lowflyer]

Ok thanks firefly. Do I need to take the plants out if I add salt thought. Got Java ferns

[solex69]

Do an immediate 50% to 75% water change (add an airstone for about 24hrs)
Add a small hand full of marine salt
Keep temperature in range 24 to 26 d/c

If I recall correctly, be careful of the 'black gravel'.....some vendors' black gravel may contain harmful industrial particles/molecules which could well lead to fish deaths. This happened to me a few years ago when black substrate was kinda new on the market.

But, I'd recommend you rather just do the water change and leave the tank alone. Even if you see fish die, remove them but don't tamper with the tank further....give it time to balance itself out. I don't think it's necessary to add any chemicals at this stage based on the info you've supplied.

Hope this helps
D

[Firefly]

But, I'd recommend you rather just do the water change and leave the tank alone. Even if you see fish die, remove them but don't tamper with the tank further....give it time to balance itself out. I don't think it's necessary to add any chemicals at this stage based on the info you've supplied.
+1

[tracyp]

Though I've no personal experience with this, java ferns are a plant recommended for brackish setups, so they should be fine with the salt.

[Reedfish]

Though I've no personal experience with this, java ferns are a plant recommended for brackish setups, so they should be fine with the salt.

As far as I know, Java Fern is a freshwater plant, but is fairly tough, so will tolerate salt in small doses.

I agree with Solex, try and fiddle as little as possible. Do regular small water changes (and use conditioner to treat all water).

[Lowflyer]

Thanks for the tips guys. I did buy some AQUAMASTER SAFE GUARD 5 to treat the tap water before doing a water change. So will treat water for a water change immediately. Alternatively I can buy some RO water for a water change if that would be a better option?

[Lowflyer]

Solex shot for the awesome info there. I've had freshwater tanks for years, but I've never had a dropsy problem like this, I knew I could count on you guys for the help I needed. Shot man