Annadvn

I have a 55gallon tank with live bearers in and a few live plants. I recently added some Flora Dose tablet fertiliser. By the following morning the water is covered with a foam that wont go away, its been 3 days now and im getting worried as the frogs cant seem to get to the surface and the flaked food just sits on top of the foam.

Any clues as to how to get rid of the foam?

I placed a tablet near each of the plants (instead of one tablet per 3gallons of water) so 3 tablets in total. The dose says to bury the tablets in the substrate every 6 months. Im worried as one of the mollies is due to give birth in the next week and i dont want this affecting her or the fry.

Please help

Anna

witt0018

The tablets have probably reacted with somthing else in the water, the best solution is to scrape off the foam with a piece of card or somthing, then do daily 25% water changes until it clears up.

what are your readings in the tank? Check that is hasn't effected the water quality.

Hope this helps

Trev

sirdarksol

Witt's idea is good.
I also second his question about water quality. What're the readings from ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate?

Have any of the fish been showing signs of stress from this? I'm sure the frogs have been, for the reason you stated.

Hope things clear up soon.

Annadvn

Tested water and results are:
pH 7.8
nitrite 0
nitrate 40ppm
ammonia 0ppm

The fish don't look overly stressed, still eating etc.. Frogs are still eating and they come up for air right by the filter output and can hang around there for a few minutes before diving down again (no foam where filter breaks the water).

I did a water change of 25% yesterday and Sundays is water change day for all the tanks, so i will do another 25% (instead of usual 10%).

Thanks for suggestions

anna

witt0018

keep an eye on the PH, community tankks generally like 7.0-7.4 in my experience, let us know how you get on after the water changes.

Annadvn

Well i was away last night.
Checked all the fish and did a head count before i left to make sure everyone looked fit and healthy and was eating ok.

Came home today and i have a dead fish, my male molly passed away and my guppie isnt looking to good.

So took him out, did a 30% water change and tested the water again, only thing different is the pH which has risen in 48hours to 8.2 after a 25% water change! (normal pH for us is around 7.6/7.8 we have really hard water).

The foam is still there, i have put in a powerhead to try and keep the top clearer from foam and stopped the air stone (can't imagine air bubbles are helping) and with the powerhead moving the water surface there will be more oxygen in the water.

Any further suggestions?? I dont want to loose more fish.

Anna

lilsoccakid

i would be doing daily 50% water changes

also would try to keep the nitrates closer to 20ppm

Annadvn

Sorry, lilsoccakid, i should have been clearer with my last post. The nitrates were at 0ppm when i retested. My mistake was a bit stressed last night.

Today the pH hasn't changed and ammonia, nitrites and nitrates are all at 0ppm. Before another water change.

With the powerhead (which the mollys and platies love) and the air stone not running foam doesn't seem to be as bad today about half the amount as usual.

Not sure if this is because of the powerhead or water changes or both.

Anna