[AGA Member] disease issues in a display tank

["John G. Glaeser" <jglaeser@wisc.edu>]

Hello Heather J. Gladney,

Your aquarium bacteria infection is a staggering challenge.

Heater malfunction can be a provocative. Higher water temperature means 
less oxygen carrying capacity. Oxygen deprivation causes stress that 
compromise immune systems. This allows existing, previously suppressed 
pathogens to break out and express negative wellness consequences. Fish 
vary in their ability to tolerate temporary oxygen reduction. Older and 
weaker ones suffer most. Some species can survive unscathed, seemingly.

Sometimes with DIY yeast method, small amounts yeast migrate 
inadvertently from bottles into tank water. There it will multiply, 
using fish food carbohydrates and proteins as fuel. Water column yeast 
bacteria use up oxygen fish could need.

Aggressive medication routines can be effective to a degree. One 
suspects things could become overly complicated with prolonged chemical 
interventions and the strategy may prove not be all that satisfactory.

Simplest solution is to "re-boot" your system = take everything apart 
and start from scratch. Remove everything. Wipe down tank walls with 
bleach. Rinse well. For several days, soak substrate gravel with dilute 
bleach, then thoroughly rinse again and again. Or put in fresh 
substrate.  Sterilize filter system.

As far as the fish goes, separate them out into two containers. One for 
seemly healthy ones and the other for unhealthy specimens. Your choice 
as to whether you want to work with a "hospital tank". This could be an 
informative experience.

Once the refurbished 90 gallon venue is up and going with robust 
plants, enter  healthy fish.


John

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