too much air???? - Aquarium Advice

yvetted · 05-02-2006, 09:42 AM

Is it possible to have to much air in the tank??? Did a 25%water change, had to move some plants around, and added a small bubble wall. It is a 10 gallon tank by the way that has been set up approx.10 weeks. My zebra danio turned red, instead of blue and gold striped he was blue and red striped and his gills were as red as I have ever seen. Do danio's change color under stress or is the air wall a problem? I don't think I have left anything out. Please help!!!

sir_dudeguy · 05-02-2006, 10:30 AM

hm...do you know what the temp is? i think danios are supposed to be cooler than most fish arent they? try taking the bubble wall out for a bit and see what happens. if he goes back to normal, i'd say leave out the bubles.

joannde · 05-02-2006, 10:33 AM

have you tested ammonia and nitrites ? these can cause red gills

Menagerie · 05-02-2006, 05:00 PM

Quote:

It is a 10 gallon tank by the way that has been set up approx.10 weeks. My zebra danio turned red, instead of blue and gold striped he was blue and red striped and his gills were as red as I have ever seen.

Give your ammonia and nitrite readings.

Is the bubble wand new? Is it possible there are any cleaning chemicals on it, or chemicals used around the tank that got in the tank?

Bubble wands are for decor only--they do not add to the dissolved oxygen in the tank. They help surface agitation, but the filter is probably doing a fine job.

yvetted · 05-02-2006, 05:44 PM

The bubble wand is new, but I did rinse it and the tubing, like it said to do. I do not know the readings of my tank, actually I get mixed messages on this when I talk to fish stores. They say I don't need to test, not worth it, I have looked at some test strips that are all in one, but to tell you the truth I would not know what to do once I had the results. Should I be testing in such a small tank, and what would you suggest that I use.???? The tank has been set up for about 10 weeks and have lost 2 platy's and 2 danio's, the one danio got tail and fin rot, tried to give the medicine but died shortly after that, with no fins, eating was a problem, had to hold him near the top in a container so he could eat. 1 danio left, 1 molly, 2 black skirts, 2 platy's, 1 cherry barb, and very small pleco. Danio was the only one that seemed affected by the wand.

Menagerie · 05-02-2006, 06:24 PM

Quote:

I get mixed messages on this when I talk to fish stores. They say I don't need to test, not worth it, I have looked at some test strips that are all in one, but to tell you the truth I would not know what to do once I had the results.

It is worth testing your tank because knowing the water parameters are often the best way to diagnose a problem. The all in-one test strips can be inaccurate and it's best to get liquid tests for pH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. Once you had results, you would come here and get more help (we’re open 24 hours

).

Quote:

Should I be testing in such a small tank

Absolutely, the smaller the tank, the quicker the downturn.

Quote:

The tank has been set up for about 10 weeks and have lost 2 platy's and 2 danio's, the one danio got tail and fin rot, tried to give the medicine but died shortly after that, with no fins, eating was a problem, had to hold him near the top in a container so he could eat. 1 danio left, 1 molly, 2 black skirts, 2 platy's, 1 cherry barb, and very small pleco. Danio was the only one that seemed affected by the wand.

Sounds like the tank is not cycled and there maybe an ammonia or nitrite spike right now. I doubt the wand has affected any fish, the danio is finally succumbing to a problematic tank. If you have aquarium salt, add 1 tablespoon to help bind up the ammonia. In the meantime, do another PWC.
How often are you vacuuming the tank and doing PWC?

Viperboy · 05-02-2006, 07:45 PM

(not to steal the thread but) so bubble stones and bubble wants even though they add surface agitation they dont give more oxygen to the water? ... i was under the impression that they did

Ray

Menagerie · 05-02-2006, 07:55 PM

Quote:

so bubble stones and bubble wants even though they add surface agitation they dont give more oxygen to the water? ... i was under the impression that they did

They will increase surface agitation, but IME, they are out done by the filter and at some point you can only agitate the surface so much before oxygen is dissolving at a maximum rate. Unless your filter is very clogged and not giving your tank the surface agitation it needs, then dropping in an air stone until the filter is unclogged will help tremendously. If you ever find all your fish at the surface, drop in an air stone ASAP! I have battery powered air pumps in case the electricity goes out for long periods of time. Aside from emergency uses, I use them in medicated hospital QT tanks instead of a filter. To put this point to rest, some people add bubble wands to their tanks thinking the bubbles in the water will help aerate the tank. The bubbles will not allow enough oxygen to dissolve before breaking at the surface.

CompMage · 05-02-2006, 08:08 PM

And, to add to what Menagerie said. Filters add a lot more air to the tank then any air stone can, and to top that even a SMALL like 10% or less water change will add A LOT of air to the water.

IMO and Observation, the only use for a bubble wand/stone is for a fish bowl that you can't stuck a HOB filter on. Something like a Betta bowl. Or like Menagerie said a Hospital tank.

I would take it out and simply do PWC, and perhaps do a check of your filters.

Only reason I have air stones in my tanks is for power outages because I have most of the tanks setup for a single air pump hooked up to a small computer UPS. (overkill is great) For any other reason personally I recommend against the use of air-stones. Most of the time they are the first place algae and other bad things start at. but that is IMO.

Good luck with your tank! Keep us posted on the status of your fish I hope this all helps.

trotty · 05-03-2006, 06:11 AM

Just a thought. When you stirred the gravel to put the air wall in, was it dirty? If so you have released all the ammonia and waste into the water, this will cause gill burn and eventual suffocation from not being able to breathe!

Just my 2 cents.... correct me if i'm wrong anybody?

05-02-2006, 09:42 AM	#1
yvetted Aquarium Advice Newbie Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 9	too much air???? Is it possible to have to much air in the tank??? Did a 25%water change, had to move some plants around, and added a small bubble wall. It is a 10 gallon tank by the way that has been set up approx.10 weeks. My zebra danio turned red, instead of blue and gold striped he was blue and red striped and his gills were as red as I have ever seen. Do danio's change color under stress or is the air wall a problem? I don't think I have left anything out. Please help!!!

05-02-2006, 10:33 AM	#3
joannde Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 1,724 Images: 6	have you tested ammonia and nitrites ? these can cause red gills __________________ 35G barebottom: 2 boesemani rainbowfish, 4 congo tetras, Low light plants (1.5wpg) attached to or planted in my own handmade ceramics - Anubia v Nana, Anubia v Barteri, Red Rubin Sword 2.5G - Spot (beautiful betta - Soft pink with red spots on his fins. Java Moss.

05-02-2006, 08:08 PM	#9
CompMage Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Columbia, Maryland Posts: 260	And, to add to what Menagerie said. Filters add a lot more air to the tank then any air stone can, and to top that even a SMALL like 10% or less water change will add A LOT of air to the water. IMO and Observation, the only use for a bubble wand/stone is for a fish bowl that you can't stuck a HOB filter on. Something like a Betta bowl. Or like Menagerie said a Hospital tank. I would take it out and simply do PWC, and perhaps do a check of your filters. Only reason I have air stones in my tanks is for power outages because I have most of the tanks setup for a single air pump hooked up to a small computer UPS. (overkill is great) For any other reason personally I recommend against the use of air-stones. Most of the time they are the first place algae and other bad things start at. but that is IMO. Good luck with your tank! Keep us posted on the status of your fish I hope this all helps. __________________ Always remember Men's Rule #1 1 Fish 2 Fish Red Fish Blue Fish

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05-02-2006, 10:30 AM	#2
sir_dudeguy Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: arizona Posts: 515 Images: 1	hm...do you know what the temp is? i think danios are supposed to be cooler than most fish arent they? try taking the bubble wall out for a bit and see what happens. if he goes back to normal, i'd say leave out the bubles.

05-02-2006, 05:44 PM	#5
yvetted Aquarium Advice Newbie Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 9	The bubble wand is new, but I did rinse it and the tubing, like it said to do. I do not know the readings of my tank, actually I get mixed messages on this when I talk to fish stores. They say I don't need to test, not worth it, I have looked at some test strips that are all in one, but to tell you the truth I would not know what to do once I had the results. Should I be testing in such a small tank, and what would you suggest that I use.???? The tank has been set up for about 10 weeks and have lost 2 platy's and 2 danio's, the one danio got tail and fin rot, tried to give the medicine but died shortly after that, with no fins, eating was a problem, had to hold him near the top in a container so he could eat. 1 danio left, 1 molly, 2 black skirts, 2 platy's, 1 cherry barb, and very small pleco. Danio was the only one that seemed affected by the wand.

05-02-2006, 07:45 PM	#7
Viperboy Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Lawrence, KS Posts: 383 Images: 11	(not to steal the thread but) so bubble stones and bubble wants even though they add surface agitation they dont give more oxygen to the water? ... i was under the impression that they did Ray

05-03-2006, 06:11 AM	#10
trotty Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: sydney Australia Posts: 361 Images: 31	Just a thought. When you stirred the gravel to put the air wall in, was it dirty? If so you have released all the ammonia and waste into the water, this will cause gill burn and eventual suffocation from not being able to breathe! Just my 2 cents.... correct me if i'm wrong anybody?