I have added an air pump with 4 air stones to my tank 2 days ago(the air pump is for 100gal tank by itself).My last Oscar is breathing a little easier but he is still stressed.As I mentioned I am using 2 emperor 400s to filter my tank. This is the first time I have used them.My tank has been fine for 6 months untill I did a water change last week. I replaced all 4 filter media and all 4 other media trays at the same time.Looking at some of your past posts that was dumb. What should I do now? Why is it just effecting the Oscars and not the other fish?

Can you please test your tank water and post results?

If you cleaned your tank and changed the filter media, you will now have to cycle your tank again.. This will take daily water changes to keep your fish alive... Cycling the tank will take between 40 and 50 days! Please read the section on cycling on the home page!

Unfortunately if you replaced all your media at the same time, you have completely removed your biological filter, so as Nikki has stated you will have to cycle your tank all over again. I suspect that your fish are showing signs of toxic poisoning because there is no bacteria to remove the ammonia/nitrite. Your existing fish is all so showing signs of stress due to toxic poisoning as well. I would advise you to get some "Prime" , this will give the fish some relief from the ammonia. You will then have to follow the instructions on cycling your tank over again.

Yeah, You should NEVER do an "out of the blue" total filter swap... All of your bio bacteria is now gone... Well most of them anyways.. Though I have seen some crazy cool things with those bio-wheels before.. Post up your findings of the water testing. BTW: do you have a test kit or are you going to your local fish shop to have it tested? You should invest in a kit and not one that uses test strips. Good luck!

I tested my water. Ammonia is at 0.6,ph is 6.4,tatal alkalinity is 80,chlorine is 0,hardness is 25 nitrites are .3,andnitrates are 30.

if you still using the same bio wheels and have only changed the filter insert you might still be alright. what is needed at this point is a reading for ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates from your tank.
if you dont have a testing kit i would recommend the american pharmaceutical master test kit, which can be purchased at any petsmart or petco, it is simple to use and quite accurate.
if you can give us these readings we can better help you on what course of action should be taken to help your remaining oscar...

Hi Shannon... You can reply to your own thread instead of starting a new one.. It is just easier to help you if your problem isn't buried in someone elses thread!

As for your water readings, you need to do a water change NOW!! Both Ammonia and nitrites are toxic to your fish...

You are looking at a 30% water change everyday, until your ammonia and nitrites are 0.

"I tested my water. Ammonia is at 0.6,ph is 6.4,total alkalinity is 80,chlorine is 0,hardness is 25 nitrites are .3,and nitrates are 30."

She started a new thread with this reading...... She could use a product called CYCLE as well... basically same as Prime though..

alright i have merged both threads together now so we can all be on the same page now so to speak.

with your water reading i would agree with nicki and recommend 30% water changes daily until your readings come into line. use a quality water conditioner, like prime, and be patient.

also i havent notice what size your tank is. could you post that as well and any other tankmates you may have.

Shannon, what test kits have you got?

shannon wrote:

ammonia @ 0.6; nitrites @ .3; is a bad sign. get a prime and do water change
before applying it. you still have chance to save the remaining fish.

My Tank is 120gal. I also have 2--- 3in. Jack Dempseys and 2----6in. Parrot fish. All are fine, only the Oscars have been effected. While I am cycling my tank do I need to remove the carbon and ammonia rid pellets. Once everything is back to normal do you think that I need to use them all of the time?