Fertiliser, Bubbles, Water Changes & Copper?

I decided to give some background on how the problem started but you can skip to the last paragraph.

Two days ago, I got some new plants, fish (2 african butterfly fish) and fertiliser tablets. When I got home to plant my new Crypt. Parva's as a turf, I realised the tablets which didn't have any instructions besides plant next to roots. Hence I decided to make an out of myself by assuming that it would be alright by planting a tablet between every plant (used 3 in total). Everything looked lovely, acclimatised my new fish and popped them in. Later that day, just before bed (2 am), I noticed loads of bubbles on the surface of the water (almost soap like). I did a 20% water change since I had new fish in and didn't want to do too much as to cause shock to the, then went to bed.

I woke at 6am to check and the top of tank was covered with bubbles and my cardinal tetras and glass catfish were gasping as the surface, alongst with my rabbit snails which climbed above the water line. I was shocked and did a massive 60% water change half asleep. Observed for half an hour after that and things started looking better and I went back to bed.

I got up at 10am and again a fair amount of bubbles were starting to appear on the surface again and I started thinking of the cause. Finally I thought of the fert tablets, I drained 40% of my water and started digging my substrate to get them out and only managed to get half of one and three quarters of another tablet; one more had totally disintegrated. I replaced the water again and spent the whole of yesterday monitoring the tank and all inhabitants seem to be alright except that I have lost a cardinal tetra. I suspect it became supper/breakfast for my butterfly fish while it was gasping for air at the surface.

Fast forward this morning (10am), some bubbles formed overnight I did another 60% water change and now for the last 9 hours the surface has been clear.

All of my tanks inhabitants, fish and inverts seem to be unfazed by all the problems and have been feeding/schooling normally except for my rabbit snails. They are still crawling up above the water line and every time I see it, I nudge them back in. I just realised that there is 0.024% content of elemental Copper in each tablet. My shrimp and my nerite snails have been behaving fine. Is the Copper in these tablets causing my Rabbit Snails to keep crawling above the water line? Should I keep doing water changes till I see them behaving normally? Is there a way to test if there is still traces of Copper in the water?
Thanks in advance.

 

Good morning,

Copper Test Kit:


Hold on for more responses.

Ken

 

What kind of tabs did you use?

 

Dennerle Perfect Plant Starter Tabs. The sud like bubbles are forming just a little again where my aerator is. Will do a 25% water change, yet again. My fish all seem to be fine, except for the rabbit snails which still keep trying to crawl above the water line.

 

Sounds like a dangerous product. Thanks for the warning. Sorry you had to learn the hard way.

Are they for aquarium use?

 

Hmm. Research indicates using 1-2 per plant, deep in substrate.


How deep is the substrate and what type of plants are you using tabs for?

 

"The initial phase is a difficult time for any aquarium plant: it must build up its root network completely from scratch, and acclimatise to unfamiliar water and ground conditions. Dennerle Starter Tabs are the best way to ensure that newly-planted aquarium plants get off to a good start, and enjoy strong growth right from the word go."

It was recommended by one of the staff at my LFS.

What upsets me about the product is that it only says press one tablet at the root of the new plant, without any regards to size of tank etc. I planted in 6 new plants and pressed in only 3 tablets.

 

In your 55g?

 

Hmm. Research indicates using 1-2 per plant, deep in substrate.


How deep is the substrate and what type of plants are you using tabs for?

You linked a slightly different product. I linked the one I got in my previous post. My substrate is about 2-2.5 inches deep and I was using it for my new.

And yes, in my 55g.

 

We must of posted at the same time.

Seems to me that product is used dry, before the tank is set up. A dry start method of setting up a planted tank.

 

I am not certain that it is a dry start tablet as the tablet itself was very much like a medication tablet.

Anyway after yesterday's water change, things are finally looking normal. The right amount of bubbles on the surface and the snails stop trying to crawl all the way out of the water.

 

Glad your fish are doing better.

 

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