Dropsy problem

Discussion in 'Diseases' started by Lowflyer, Nov 5, 2011.

  1. Lowflyer

    Lowflyer

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2008
    Messages:
    293
    Likes Received:
    2
    Location:
    East London
    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
     
    Lowflyer, Nov 5, 2011
    #1

  2. Guest




  3. Firefly

    Firefly Pleco

    Joined:
    Jul 3, 2010
    Messages:
    2,333
    Likes Received:
    33
    Location:
    East London
    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.
     
    Firefly, Nov 5, 2011
    #2
  4. OP
    Lowflyer

    Lowflyer

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2008
    Messages:
    293
    Likes Received:
    2
    Location:
    East London
    Ok thanks firefly. Do I need to take the plants out if I add salt thought. Got Java ferns
     
    Lowflyer, Nov 5, 2011
    #3
  5. solex69

    solex69

    Joined:
    Sep 9, 2008
    Messages:
    1,119
    Likes Received:
    14
    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
     
    solex69, Nov 5, 2011
    #4
    Firefly likes this.
  6. Firefly

    Firefly Pleco

    Joined:
    Jul 3, 2010
    Messages:
    2,333
    Likes Received:
    33
    Location:
    East London
    +1
     
    Firefly, Nov 5, 2011
    #5
  7. tracyp

    tracyp Lotus

    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2010
    Messages:
    1,619
    Likes Received:
    31
    Location:
    Stanford, Western Cape
    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.
     
    tracyp, Nov 5, 2011
    #6
  8. Reedfish

    Reedfish Moderator

    Joined:
    Aug 2, 2011
    Messages:
    13,311
    Likes Received:
    3,714
    Location:
    UK
    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).
     
    Reedfish, Nov 5, 2011
    #7
  9. OP
    Lowflyer

    Lowflyer

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2008
    Messages:
    293
    Likes Received:
    2
    Location:
    East London
    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, Nov 6, 2011
    #8
  10. OP
    Lowflyer

    Lowflyer

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2008
    Messages:
    293
    Likes Received:
    2
    Location:
    East London
    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
     
    Lowflyer, Nov 6, 2011
    #9

Recent Posts

Loading...
Similar Threads - Dropsy problem Forum Date
Female Bettas - Dropsy Beginner Discussions Feb 7, 2021
RSS Feed How To Prevent Dropsy Disease In Your Tank: Causes And Solutions RSS Feeds May 8, 2020
Dropsy in betta fish Diseases Oct 20, 2019
Dropsy Diseases Jul 7, 2013
Betta female plakat recoverd from dropsy General Discussions May 31, 2012
An abnormal thing has happen with my female betta with dropsy Diseases May 29, 2012
Dropsy :( General Discussions Jan 20, 2012

Share This Page