Ereny White
Aquarium Advice Newbie
- Joined
- Apr 8, 2023
- Messages
- 5
Hello everyone!
I've had my 20 gallon tank for about a year now and water changes have rarely ever been a serious problem. I did lose one of my 6 original tetras within the first couple of water changes (due to stress I think), but that's really the only problem I've had.
My fish (5 glo light tetras) and bristlenose pleco have never responded badly...until today. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to do consistent water changes on my tank for about 3 months now due to college and life in general. I think my ignorance was the cause of one of my tetras passing.
Today, I did a 2/3 water change by pouring the water directly into the tank at a slow pace. I then of course added the appropriate amount of conditioner once I had refilled it. Initially, my tetras seemed to react like they typically do (a little stunned from the sudden environment/temperature change and swimming near the surface for oxygen) but they seemed fine. It wasn't until I turned my back for a few minutes when one of them was suddenly zipping around the tank, upside down. The second I go to rescue to relocate the fish into a hospital tank, it's lying on its back, unresponsive on the bottom of the tank.
I am assuming the poor things death was caused by swim bladder disorder however I'm not sure if this was from stress or too much air...
If anyone has any advice how to do water changes more safe for my little babies and less stressful/more efficient for me I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks.
I've had my 20 gallon tank for about a year now and water changes have rarely ever been a serious problem. I did lose one of my 6 original tetras within the first couple of water changes (due to stress I think), but that's really the only problem I've had.
My fish (5 glo light tetras) and bristlenose pleco have never responded badly...until today. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to do consistent water changes on my tank for about 3 months now due to college and life in general. I think my ignorance was the cause of one of my tetras passing.
Today, I did a 2/3 water change by pouring the water directly into the tank at a slow pace. I then of course added the appropriate amount of conditioner once I had refilled it. Initially, my tetras seemed to react like they typically do (a little stunned from the sudden environment/temperature change and swimming near the surface for oxygen) but they seemed fine. It wasn't until I turned my back for a few minutes when one of them was suddenly zipping around the tank, upside down. The second I go to rescue to relocate the fish into a hospital tank, it's lying on its back, unresponsive on the bottom of the tank.
I am assuming the poor things death was caused by swim bladder disorder however I'm not sure if this was from stress or too much air...
If anyone has any advice how to do water changes more safe for my little babies and less stressful/more efficient for me I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks.