leeishom

so i visited a fish store today, wanting to pick up some crickets, lime stone and have my water tested for a second opinion.

LFS owner asked: why do you want to test your water?
leeishom: cause i want to know the parameters.
LFS: why?
leeishom: cause i care about my fish....

found out my pH is at or lower than 6.
ammonia is about 5.0 PPM!!!!!

i was using API test kits, but since some were expired i didnt trust them for accuracy.

but no wonder why my aro's fin rot isnt healing as it should after a 5 day maracyn 2 process and some of its fin from other parts are decaying.

so i did a deadly 50 to 60% WC, added API aqua. salt planning not to feed it til tuesday.


other day in the life of a arowana keeper.

Tigerfishy

Not seen you before so WELCOME!!!
OMG, not surprised they asked that actually! They should just do it for you cause you asked them to, it's none of their business!
I'd attack this with daily water changes with Prime if you can get it, it's great for detoxing ammonia & nitrites for 24 hrs before the next water change (roughly 30% daily). Feeding less food is a great idea, cut down on excess ammonia.
Just read your aquarium info, the Amquel should be fine to use too actually!

Good Luck!!!

leeishom

hey!
thanks for the imput!
my pleco is one of the culprits in excess waste, so i had to separate him, cause my aro is like...in pain now. i got some melafix and imma do a 30 PWC tomorrow followed by another PWC of 30 2 days later. does this sound like it will work?

Tigerfishy

I would do 30% every day until you get a good water reading (amm=0, nitrite=0 & nitrate 5-20). This will hopefully help the aro too as the ammonia will be getting reduced regularly. Not sure about melafix, but first port of call is to get the water manageable, it should all start to come together from then.

Remember also that every time you take water out, the melafix concentration will be reduced, but only dose for the amount of water going back into the tank as a full dose again will end up overdosing, which will probably be harmful to the already weak fish.

Let me know if there's anything else you need, I'll try my best!

leeishom

Thank for the insight!!!!! The ammonia level dropped from 5 to 1, so I guess 30 pwc for a few days will help.

aquariumgirl lauren

aro are beautiful fish! Even though LFS have great fish there they don't really know much about them... HOPE YOUR ARO FEELS BETTER

1309mw

If u have not opened the melafix I would take it back. Stick to the water changes abd use prime as suggested. It is just MY PERSONAL opinion but I believe melafix to be pretty much worthless. There are much better ways to treat finrot or decay.

leeishom

too late, used it.
the fin rot has been on going for 2 weeks, a 5 day jungle parasite clear and a 5 day maracyn 2.

PWC 30% daily added some salt.

tetralover77

hope the aro gets better how big is the tank

Elodea

I'd suggest getting a larger tank, at least 300 gallons for the aro and pleco; both grow huge (pleco at 12", arowana at 3'). Since your tank is a bit overstocked, maybe that's why the ammonia level is skyrocketing.

Best of luck with the fin rot problem!

leeishom

yea, it was the pleco...it was like producing soo much waste, enough for 3 other fishes.
i had to give him or her away.
now the tank is much better.

Treefork

My LFS guy would have said "50 Cents please"

Treefork

I second that bigger tank, your Arowana is going to get huge. That's a heckuva first fish.

leeishom

Im planning on a 150 in the near future.
All of the LFS I've shopped with, all said a 125 is enough.

Treefork

Depends on the size of your arowana. Most of those can get up to 3 feet long. That's half the length of the tank.

leeishom

all of the matured arowana's ive seen, around here....about 3 1/2 '
all were housed within a 150 gallon tank range.