Passenger

I have a 46 gallon tank that is right at 1 month old. It is still cycling and it has 3 lemon tetras and 2 diamond tetras. As of yesterday my parameters are -
ammonia - 2
nitrite - 0
nitrate - 0
pH - 8.2
I did a water change yesterday and noticed my male Diamond tetra who had been acting oddly, had a fuzzy white patch on top of his nose and upon closer examination he had some fin damage. I looked at pictures and fish disease descriptions and believe it was fish fungus and fin rot. Everyone else seemed fine. Unfortunately I had no medicine to treat last night and this morning he was dead.

I went out today and bought some API Fungus Cure. One Lemon Tetra looks to have a very small white dot just above his mouth but is acting fine. I figure that I should treat the tank. Here's what I'm unsure about -

1. The directions on the medicine say to remove the charcoal filter. I have a Marineland penguine power filter and I'm sure the filter contains charcoal. But my tank is not cycled so should I go ahead and remove the filter cartridge? Would it be possible to cut it open and remove the charcoal and then replace it when I'm done treating the tank or is this a bad idea or not possible?

2. I have everything to put together a quarantine tank but haven't set it up because my tank isn't cycled and bringing new fish into the tank seemed far off. But since the conditions in a new tank would be about the same as in my current one would it be wise to remove the Lemon that appears to possibly be infected and put it in a different tank?

Obviously I just really don't know what I'm doing here but I'm trying to do what I can to keep my other fish from getting sick. Thanks for any advice/suggestions. Sorry this is so long.

Shawnie

dont be sorry, thats what the forum is for

if its not severe, id keep up with DAILY water changes of at least 30-50% with some stress coat+ ....(make sure its the plus) the stress coat + will keep the fish safe from ammonia poisioning and still keep the ammonia available for the cycle process...and it also will help heal any fin issues....medicate as the last resort and the clean water will heal them pretty good .....

Passenger

Ok, I've been doing water changes every other day but I can definitely go to daily changes. I'll go pick up some Stress Coat Plus too. I've been using Prime with water changes - okay to continue using that for the time being?

Thanks so much.

AlyeskaGirl

I agree with Shawnie!

Also, the higher the PH the ammonium (less toxic) is turned into ammonia (toxic). Your PH is 8.2 and ammonia is at 2.0, you have a very dangerous level of ammonia in your tank. Your fish are stressed because of it and that's why they are starting to get sick.

Are you treating the whole tank with Prime or just with the water you are replacing? You need to be treating the whole tank; 1 capful for 50 gals.

Shawnie

deffinately start daily changes until the cycle is done...and if you can find some driftwood, that will help you lower the ph naturally..the prime is fine until you can get the stress coat+ ...it will at least keep the fishies safe for now....goodluck!

agabr123

as far as the charcoal goes, i'd remove it anyways. after a few weeks to a month it will start to leach things back into the tank, and IMO it doesn't make enough of a difference to deal with the hassle of changing it every month for it to be worth it.

cerianthus

Wondering why pH is so high, Is it really that high? Never have thought of keeping Tetra you mentioned in such high pH.
Can you check to see if you tap is that high to begin with? Might as well check for others on tap water!
What types of substrate/deco in the tank?
I read tanks been running for a month. Wondering if all the fish were in from the beginning?
Water changes will help dilute waste products but make sure tapwater/new water does not have any in it otherwise it doesnt do any good.
Ammonia (NH3) and nitrite (NO2) are expected when cycling but very curious about your pH.

I really dont know if fish is sick, perhaps just suffering due to NH3 and high pH but If want to set up Q/T, do so with lower pH (if tap is lower in pH than tank water, then use it as is but age it with simple aeration for a day. heater is must in Q/T). You have to acclimate the sick fish for a while then monitor the fish and water condition in Q/T before using Any med. Use med as more definite symptoms are visible thus can determine proper med.