Tank Issue Help Required Urgent Please

[polar]

Hi all,

I have an issue which i was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on.
I have been doing regular water changes and testing my water levels and they all seem ok, no spikes or irregularities BUT i have had quite a big of algae which i have constantly scooped out but after the water looks like it has an oily surface....
Now i have noticed all my fish's mouths are going 100% like they are struggling for air??? and they have all taken to swimming at the top of the tank as if they are trying to get more air too.... anyone have any idea what could be happening?

its pretty urgent, i dont have any expensive fish but i adore them all and would hate to see them start dropping off!

thanks
Dave

[wombat1100]

have you got an air stone in the tank mate?> you need to make sure the surface of the water is broken up, if you have too much algae growing look at the amount of light your tank is getting, is it in front of a window? can it be moved? if you don't have an air stone, and you have a external filter, point the water discharge at the surface. keep checking all of your water parameters, especially your ammonia and nitrites. continue water changes and keep that surface moving, thats all i can think of at the moment, hope it helps
Dazz

[Bundy]

I'm only a amateur at best with fish but a couple of things I've learned recently are -

Don't know about your algae, probably sunlight as wombat says and I guess that would have some effect on the surface of the water. I use a spray bar right at the surface level in my 4ft tank and it keeps the water flowing nicely.

I notice you're in NSW, I posted a thread a few days ago about Sydney Water and the lack of carbonate.
CLICK HERE (http://www.thefishtank.com.au/forum/index.php?showtopic=3235)
Have you checked you kH? Since I've upped my carbonate hardness my plants are really going strong and I've stopped losing fish.

[GoGuppy]

.............. i have had quite a big of algae which i have constantly scooped out but after the water looks like it has an oily surface....[/b]

Hi Dave
I've used tissue paper or kitchen paper to get rid of, or reduce the amount of oily film on the water. Just lay the tissue paper on the surface and the oily film will stick to the paper. Repeat this a few times, as required.
Best to minimise surface agitation while you do this, but increase it again when done.
Cheers

[joz]

For some reason it seems that there is a lack of oxygen?

But also check the temperature,is the tank to warm???? (over 30c)

Possibly?? has anyone been spraying something like fly spray near the tank??
Just a wild card thought?

[Prowse]

Im no pro but if the water is warmer wouldnt that encourage the algae and also reduce the amount of oxygen in the water. It could be because of the warmer weather we have been having heating your tank up. That happened to me last summer when our A/C broke down the temp of my tank sky rocketed and i was pouring ice into the tank to drop the temp. I ended up taking the lid off the tank and had my pump spraying above the tank surface to cause the most agitation for oxygen and it helped cool the tank down.

Just a idea though

Cheers and goodluck,

Andrew

[polar]

hi all,

thanks heaps for your replies!! i threw an airstone in and much to my relief all fish are now fine.

i did check ammonia and tank temp but none of those things were at fault so im unsure what has caused the issue.

Since then i have played with the filter a bit and am now getting more flow going across the top of my tank and so will remove the airstone again and see how i go.

Thanks everyone again, your help is all much appreciated!!!