Thanx, y'all
----- Original Message -----
From: Christopher Scharpf <ichthos_at_charm.net>
To: NANFA Mailing List <nanfa_at_aquaria.net>
Sent: Tuesday, June 20, 2000 5:31 AM
Subject: Re: NANFA-- large tank problem
> Bill,
>
> I showed your email to Stephanie Brough, a former aquarist at the
Tennessee
> Aquarium. Naturally, she had moe questions than advice, but here's what
she had
> to say:
>
> 1) What is the pH of the tank? The "fungus" you described could be the
result of
> low pH, which could be related to ammonia spikes (despite what your test
kits
> say).
>
> 2) Is the tank chilled? Excessive heat (summer temps, lights) will stress
the
> fish and make them more susceptible to disease.
>
> >PROBLEM - although the water tests OK, there is a lot of suspended matter
in
> >it and a lot of "crud" on the bottom.
>
> Is there wood in the tank? Wood often dissolves leaving a brown crud.
>
> Is the "crud" a slimy green mass? if so, it's cyanobacteria, a definite
water
> quality issue.
>
> > It is difficult to do a good "gravel vacuum" because there are several
braces
> >across the tank that make working in it difficult - plus the fact that
it's
> about
> >4 feet deep and another 4 feet off of the floor!
>
> >SO- can anyone suggest-----
> >1) a good thorough way to clean the bottom
>
> Unfortunately, gravel vacuuming is the only way to stay on top of this.
> Attaching the gravel vac to a long broomstick (duct tape is fine) will
help get
> the vac to the bottom. Stand on a ladder if you have to.
>
> What is the quality of the make-up water? Sometimes the problem is not the
water
> in the tank, but with the water you're putting into the tank. As Lee
Harper
> asked, has it properly been dechlorinated?
>
> >2) a filter that we can add for mechanical filtration (remember, there is
no
> >usable "rim" to hang a filter on).
>
> Add a pleated canister filter, the bigger the better, to the sump.
>
> >3) any meds that will KO the "Fungus" (yes, i know it's bacteria) without
> >KOing the bacteria bed?
>
> Well, we don't what it is. I like Lee Harper's suggestion that it's an
ammonia
> problem (I've had that happen to my fish). Improving water quality
(including
> temeprature) is always preferable to adding meds. Take out and quarnatine
the
> sickest looking fish, if you have to.
>
> Hope this helps...and keep us posted. Good luck!
>
> Chris Scharpf & Stephanie Brough
>
>
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