Newbie needs HELP!

[humbrdz]

First post so hope I am doing this right and that this is the right place.

I have a 55 gal river tank. I have some live plants, rocks, and a few ordinary fish. Cherry barbs, clown loaches, neons, pleco, and just a few more I don't know the name of. I also have cone shaped snails that don't eat my plants and keep the place clean. This tank has run smoothly for a couple of years. All of a sudden all the snails started craoking. Then one by one all my fish are dying. The barbs, loaches, neons are all dead. I have had the water tested and it is fine. But there is a smell to the water and its not as clear as it should be. I did a water change and filter change. Being a river tank cleaning is not required as much as a regular tank. I am just broken hearted. I have tried everything I know to do and my fish keep dying. Does any one have any ideas for me? PS: my plants are still thriving.


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[Barney]

Do you have the undergravel filter?

 

[humbrdz]

no....no underground filter. It has a carbon filter. The water runs thru this continously. The river tank is supposed to be ecologically self sufficient.......and has for the most part for a couple of years. I change the filter once in a while and do a water change once in a while.

After most of my snails died off (and there were many) then the fish started to go. I am now seeing the return of a few snails but the fish keep dying. I am so baffled because for two or more years I have hardly had to do anything to the tank but enjoy it. Then all of a sudden..whammy! Believe me, I have racked my brain trying to think of anything I have done differently. Do you think I might have a bacteria??

Thanks~~

 

[i3k]

Do you have any fish left? the fish that died have they showed any symptoms of illness or stress?

 

[humbrdz]

yes I have one cherry barb, 2 clown loaches, a huge pleco, 2 green cats and 1 cory cat and one ghost shrimp (if you can believe he has survived all this) I have had about 10 other fish to die.....one by one..........2 days and no deaths. A couple of fish have just disappeared. They must be behind the fake rock backwall or the pleco ate the bodies.

I have to think that the water smelling foul has something to do with this, but it tests out ok.

Thanks for trying to help me.

 

[Barney]

did you know that carbon can release whatever it was purifying back into the water over some time? I'm not quite sure what

I change the filter once in a while and do a water change once in a while

means.....

I have ben taught to replace the carbon bi weekly but no more than monthy. and it applies to water changes.

over time, I have seen no clues showed up and it was a simple thing that had got into the water, from air, from hands, from pets, or something that was not thinkable.

I hope someone else can recognize what went wrong with your situation.

 

[CRaZeeeBiTcHisH]

i am assuming you don't have a constant exchange of water in your 'river' tank, so ---REGARDLESS of what kind of tank you have , if you have fish, you MUST change the water if you want them to grow, be healthy and thrive...yes , they will LIVE for quite awhile in a tank without a water change , but it takes it's toll---I would suggest strongly that you read up on water chemistry in a hurry, and whomever told you that you don't need to change the water is NOT a reliable source of advice...don't waste your time asking your lfs--do your own research. if your water smells bad, it is not in good shape....what did they test it for? i would imagine your nitrate is through the roof even if all else is ok, and that will stunt, then impair immune systems, wear down, and can eventually kill your aquatic pals.....do them a favor, and do partial water change now!! around 25% is probably ok, but if it's been years or something crazy since you changed the water, do it slower so as not to shock them, but you need some frequent water changing to get them in the healthy zone, and while you are at it , READ!!! best of luck, you will find a lot of useful info on the web, there are articles and links here that should be of help too...

 

[humbrdz]

We did a water change a while back and we used to use tap water (treated with drops). Then we got a water softener and switched to bottled water (osmosis). I wonder if that may be a clue.
I have to add a new gallon about once a week due to evaporation. I also use stress coat when I add new water.

Thank you for your advice.