I got a Biorb aquarium as a present for my Aniversary and it has been nothing but trouble!

I followed the manufacturers instructions to the letter, feeding sparingly adding fish one at a time and everything was fine for a couple of months. I had three fantails living quite happily.

Then suddenly they all began to look very sick indeed, and two of them died.

Having checked the ammonia level they were around the 0.4 level with no nitrite and 0.6 Nitrate. I put this down to over feeding and I carried out a number of water changes until things looked stable and the one remaing fish seemed very happy indeed.

Trouble is two months later he has now started to look really sick with his top fin down and occasional bouts of resting on the bottom.

I am worried the whole thing is starting again!

The aquarium itself is 30L with a standard pump / filter as provided by the manufacturer, it is quite well planted with "goldfish weed"

The Ammonia level is currently 0.4!
and Nitrite of 0

I have been using Stress Zyme and Stress Coat and changing 30% of the water every week or so , but to no avail. I came home today to find him resting on the bottom, so I performed another emergency water change of about 30-40% and added some "Gold disease safe" made by interpet to see if that helps

Mr Fish (imaginative I know!) is only 2 inches long in a 30L aquarium so surely it cannot be a problem of overstocking. The lack of Nitrite makes me think this is a cycle problem, but how can a finally sort that out? As the Ammonia is so high, could it be over feeding? I am putting three peices of Hikari staple in a day, but he does like to devour the weed so should I feed less?

Any help would be gratefully recieved, I could cry over this. When I was young I goldfish in a bowl living to 10 or more years it is so fustrating that I cant seem to keep them alive for 3 months!

Hi and welcome to Koko's, if you read around the site you'll find that the biorb is not the best enviornment to house gf, Unfortunatly.

I calculated out your tank is about 8 US gals. GF need about 10 gal of water each, so with only 1 fish, it isn't to bad, but it is not ideal either.
So what we are going to do is try and help you thru this crises.

What kind of tests do you have? I noticed that you have .4 ammonia and 0 nitrites (that is good you don't want nitrites in the water). And the nitrate is a .6.
You have a small cycle going on in your tank. I know that the biorb has an underground filter system, that isn't the best for gf either. Toxins get trapped in there very eaily. So getting the bottom vauumed out will be beneifcial. Do a 50% water change as well this will also help. Make sure to treat the new water with a water conditioner, and match the water temp to the tank.

To answer the question should you feed less? Is his food falling to the bottom and staying there until he eats it or does he eat it right away?
Whatever food he doesn't eat in a minute should be removed, and you should feed him once a day.
Post back soon and I will try and help you to sort more out.

PS is there any chance of getting a bigger tank? This would be better for him and you.

Thanks for the quick reply,Sadly he is just resting on the bottom at the moment would it be better to leave him in there or look to treat him elsewhere?



My tests are an Interpret tablet test ( not sure if you have those in the states)

I changed 30-40% of the water earlier should I change it again?
I am going to dig out my old gravel cleaner to give it a good clean

As for the food I put three small pellets in and they are gone in seconds!


I was fast coming to the conclusion that the Biorb isnt Ideal for goldfish having been a successfull goldfish keeper in the past !

Thanks again for your help with this!

I forgot to add that the biorb also doesn't have enough surface area for gf.

I am not sure about treating him else where. If you change him to another tank, use some of the water from the biorb and the plant, this way you will preserve some of the beneficial bacteria, also if you have any decorations move those as well.

What is the temp of the tank?

I am not familar with the tests you are using, so I can't advise you on them.

Do you have an airstone in there? If not maybe get one of those and use it in there or if you decide to move him keep it with him.

Post back soon.

Are you familar with cycling a tank?

I think I will leave him where he is!

I used my old gravel cleaner to vacuum the bottom, there was a spectacular amount of dirt there so I hope that would help

Not sure of the temparature, ( room temperature is about the best I can offer here!)

There is an airstone in there already so that should help

In terms of cycling I understand the theory , but not necessarily how long it will take, the impact that water changes etc can have and also if it goes wrong what to do to correct it.

Thanks again for the help

Mr Fish seems better now he still seems a little sluggish but is happily eating peas! So thanks for all the help!

I am performing 20% water changes daily and have had a good clean round the Gravel now which was incredibly dirty and was probably contributing to the ammonia problem!

I am looking to get a new aquarium to replace the Biorb but that is going to take a while to :

a) save up for ( i have a baby on the way too!)
B) Set it up correctly

So I have to make do with the Biorb for the time being Any tips as to how I can keep Mr fish happy in there? I was considering getting another filter to stick to the side, a Fluval or similar ?

Perhaps I need to carry on changing the water daily ?

Any help would be much appreciated

First congrats on the baby!!!

PUtting a filter on the biorb would be best. If you can find one.
Also testing every day and making sure the ammonia and nitrites stay tolerable to the fish. Do daily water changes according to what the levels are and we can help you there just post what they are.
Also adding alittle aquarium salt when the nitrites get high will help the fish to deal better with it. Remember salt doesn't evaporate, it is only removed when doing water changes. So you have to be aware of how much water you remove and do the math.

Remember we are here to help you get thru, so any questions you have just ask.

Thanks! you are very helpful!

I am going to get an in tank filter to stick to the side, hopefully that will help in the short term

Carried out a 30% water change today as

Ammonia was 0.3 mg/l
nitrite 0
Nitrate 25mg/l

Mr Fish didnt look quite so happy and was resting on the bottom occasionally

Have been feeding him Peas which he absoutely loves! he is attacking them like a dog with a bone!

Ammonia was 0.4 today so did a 50% Water change
Nitrites were starting to register on the kit but virtually nothing
Nitrates were 25

I am suprised at how quickly the Ammonia keeps increasing despite the tank having a real clean ( I cleaned the gravel in aquarium water)!

I suppose this has indicates that the cycle has fallen apart!

Mr Fish seems OK but not his usuall self , still eating peas though!

I do think that you disturbed your cycle. In an ugf the good bacteria live under that filter plate so when you vac'd it out - you removed all of the good bacteria that was under there.

Now you prob have some stuck to the gravel or ornaments but you are going to cycle again.

It's part of the reason why ugf aren't so great for gf - they are such messy fish & you have to balance vac out under the filter plate with keeping the good stuff down there!

Good luck with your baby & your fishies!

Jenn

I know it sounds harsh but don't feed him as much. Food = waste= ammonia.
Feed him only a very small amt. once a day until you get a handle on the cycle.
Be patient, It will take time.
Having Nitrates is a good sign, so hang in there.

Hello folks

Today Ammonia 0.4
nitrites 0.1
Nitrates 25

Bought a fluval 1 internal filter to help today so that is running now

did a 50% water change to reduce the ammonia and added some Ammo lock which I had had recommended

It looks as if the cycle has started up again as the Nitrite are climbing, so I added added salt to 0.1 concentration to help lessen their effects

Mr fish looks very sad! spending mst of his time sat in the small castle with clamped fins. although he is still eating given half the chance.

I am worried about the impending rising nitrites and mimising their effects!

Is it likely he will recover from all this, is it just a question of perserverance and patience? :crp

Yes yes & yes - It's all about the water at this point. If the nitrites are climbing - you're going to have to do daily water changes - maybe even twice daily you'll just have to see how it goes. (Base what you change & how freq on your test results)

Remember with the salt - it doesn't evaporate so you only add in as much as you are taking out or you will rapidly oversalt the tank. (I'm assuming you're using aquarium salt or its eqivelent not regular salt). The salt should help minimize the effects of the nitrites.

It's a good sign that he still wants to eat.

Just keep an eye on your tank params!

Good Luck!!!!!

Jenn

Thanks

he still doesnt look well today

He only moves if I put food in which I am trying not to do that often!

I tested the water this morning and
Ammonia 0.4 :angry:
Nitirite less than 0.1
Nitrate 25

Did a 50% water change
Now readings are
Ammonia 0.1
Nitrite less than .1
Nitrate 10ish

He still doesnt look happy I am worried that suffering so long might cause a secondary problem?

My question is If Ammonia is rising so quickly to 0.4 ( overnight) should I change the water more oftem or will tha excerbate the problem? As it is the weekend I can change the water more frequently.

You can change the water more often - it delays the cycle but at this point you want to keep him as stress free as possible.

THis is going to sound strange but as I just did it to my babies... How much current is in the tank? Does he look unwell (fins clamped, flashing red streaks etc) or is he just hiding out??? In my handicapped tank I just figuered out that the reason my poor babies weren't swimming around as they should have been was that there was too much current for them (Literally my celestial would only come out to eat) I turned down the current & now they are fine. I mention this as I know you just added a filter & perhaps this is happening with your little one too!

Also - what color are his poops?? Are they long & stringy or thick?? It can help figure out what's up!

Jenn

he does look unwell, all his fins are clamped

His poo is thick and dark!

Just done a water check

Ammonia 0.2 ish
Nitrite less than 0.1
Nitrate 25

Mr fish is looking very unwell his fins are clamped and he only swims occasionally.

He is eating though

Do fish recover from this... I am trying to keep hope!

Done another water check today

ammonia 0.4 :angry:
Nitrite 0.1 <_<
Nitrate 5

PH 7

Just bought a new testing kit but I am not that impressed with it.

I have added some Ammo lock to try an help.

Mr fish is still looking really unwell he hides in the castle and only comes out for food ( a good sign I suppose)

Is there anyhing else I should be doing? I am changing the water almost twice daily to keep the ammonia down. I have reduce the feeding to next to nothing ( a pea a day!) His fins are clamped and I havent noticed any poo for a while?

I do hope he recovers he has been unwell for a week now! Any advice would be gratefully recieved, even if anyone can tell me about goldfish recovering from this kind of thing

Man you poor thing, sounds like you are trying your best.

You can try fasting him for a day or 2. This won't hurt, and with no food means no waste so this will help with the ammonia.

Do you have gravel in the orb? If so you need to be vacuuming it. Toxins build up in the gravel and can make them sick.

Any chance the bigger tank is around the corner????

Thanks

I have been vacuuming round the Gravel to keep it clean

As for the bigger tank, I am saving up! I have looked round for some and they are all about £200 over here.

I will try fasting him for a couple of days

Ammonia is now 0
Nitrite 0.1
Nitrate 5


Mr fish isnt eating now and hardly moves

Am going to keep changing the water and hope for the best

Oh - that doesn't sound good - are there any other signs of a problem - flashing, any discolorations on his body/fins, swollen body, pineconing???

Your water params don't sound that bad for that to be the only thing going on here.

Have you tried to feed him any peas?? (Cooked de-shelled) In case he's really constipated??

Usually bacterial infections have thin white poo.

Hmmm - I think I'm going to pm Paul/Toothless to see if he has any ideas for you!

Hang in there!

Jenn

Paul's not on so I PM'd Andrea!

Thanks for the help I am very grateful

The water params have only just reached the levels they are now

Ive fed him peas for while he loved them, although he seems too weak to go after them now

I have noticed any poo for a while now and he doesnt have any of the other symptoms only clamped fins and inactivity. When he does swim it is a bit erratic

could you describe what you mean by erratic? is he shaking his fins at all? scratching, flashing? floating? head up or head down?

what do you mean that your params have just got to the level that theyre at? did you just complete cycling or something?

i have a feeling that your little one might have been exposed to toxic ammonia and/or nitrites. this type of exposure can often lead to lethergy and not eating. its mainly because of gill damage. when a goldfish's gills become damaged (or burned) not eating or spitting out food is a very common symptom. once the problem has been corrected, it can take up to a week or more before their gills heal up and become normal once again. during that time, they will not eat no matter what you try.

if your goldie isnt flashing or showing signs of any parasites, you would do good to give it time. however, should his lethergy and not eating show no signs of improvement within a week, treatment might be deemed necessary.

i hope this helps you some.

post back soon.

paul

Sorry I have not been able to get back with you MrsP, life is hetic here.

I would agree with Paul that he could be having lasting effects from the ammonia and the nitrites. Hang in there he should turn around as long as you keep up the good work.

ONce again, remember you are battling a huge obstacle with this orb as his home, so you are at a big disadvantage.
Were you able to add any aquarium salt? That should help.
Also keep up with the water changes. Keep us posted.

Thanks for your help folks I cannot tell you how much I appreciate it

His swimming isnt that erratic just a little clumsy looking,

He is sitting on the bottom and swimming only very occasionally now he looks as if he is exhausted and was breathing rapidly this morning. His fins are clamped but dont look damaged. His poo lookes normal as well He has only recently stopped eating

Toothless message is some comfort, I shall just keep on changing the water

Params were

Ammonia 0- 0.1
Nitrite 0.1+
Nitrate .25

I have been salting at 0.1 for the last few days to lessen the effect of the Nitrite

Hello
This is mrsp's wife. I got home this afternoon and unfortunately Mr Fish had died. I have buried him so my husband does not have to see him when he gets home in a bit.

Thank you for your posts of help to my husband. He is gutted, he worked so hard to get the water quality up but Mr Fish was only tiny and not strong enough to see it through.

I am really upset that the gift I gave him for our first anniversary has brought so much heartache. With a baby on the way we can't afford to spend £200 on a new aquarium. But the Biorb's going on ebay ###### thing.

Perhaps we can put some money aside each month and get a new aquarium in a few months but in the meantime we will have to enjoy the pond fish.

Thanks again

mrsp's wife

I am sorry to hear Mr fish didn't make it.

Don't be upset at yourself for the present. The companies and stores should be more educated on their products and not put the $$ above life. I hope once settled in with the new baby you will be able to continue your hobby with fish.
Good luck.

Thanks everyone for your help

I shall miss my Little friend and his begging for food every time I sat near him!

It is such a shame, but I have learnt so much about keeping fish I will not make the same mistakes again.

Next time I post it will be some good news

Oh - I'm so sorry about your fishy baby - you tried so hard!

Jenn