mysterious death...

[mcmullen759]

I have recently had a mysterious mass-death in one of my tanks. my fish went from seeming fine one day, to being dead only two days later. All of them within a few hours of each other. I scooped them out right away and now I am cleaning the tank and come across a grayish, kind of bubbly slime pocket on the underside of the leaf of an artificial plant. Is this the killer and if so what is it? my first thought is some type of fungus but I really havent the slightest clue. Also if you know what it is, how do i get rid of it and keep it from coming back??
Please help.

PS: the setup was about 2 months old with regular water changes, water was at 78 degrees. I have another tank sitting ten feet from it which i set up from the same water supply two weeks after and it is going great.

[Richard B]

I wouldn't think the slime was the cause. Do you have any readings for the water other than temperature? (Nitrate, Nitrite , Ammonia etc)

[mcmullen759]

Unfortunately no, I dont have a test kit so I have to take a sample in to the pet shop or go in to buy the kit. Its kind of a pain as i don't live in town and work isn't real close to town either. I've never had a problem like this before so I'm reluctant to get any more fish to put in the tank until I figure it out, as the average is about 8-10 bucks a fish. Thought I might get lucky and find someone who has had a similar case. Looks like I will have to get it checked out.

[Jools]

Unfortunately no, I dont have a test kit so I have to take a sample in to the pet shop or go in to buy the kit.

Not including shipping, that $8-$10 bucks a fish is the same price as a simple test kit. http://www.bigalsonline.com/fish/water- ... pment.html (other Canadian online retailers are available...)

Can you run through everything in the tank including the source/description of the fake plant?

Cheers,

Jools

[Viktor Jarikov]

I used to hold out without a test kit but ever since I started buying them, things are 100 times simpler and better and more efficient. $24 Master 5-test fresh water API kit from Petsolutions.com is what I use and recommend.

You may find this thread useful in which I participated: http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forum ... light=foul

[2wheelsx2]

Not including shipping, that $8-$10 bucks a fish is the same price as a simple test kit. http://www.bigalsonline.com/fish/water- ... pment.html (other Canadian online retailers are available...)

Can you run through everything in the tank including the source/description of the fake plant?

Cheers,

Jools

The Canadian site is quite a bit pricier but just switch the com to ca and voila! http://www.bigalsonline.ca/fish/water-t ... pment.html

J&L is much cheaper. http://www.jlaquatics.com/info/398/Aqua ... +Kits.html

Or Pets and Ponds. http://www.petsandponds.com/en/aquarium ... index.html

[Jools]

I bow to your local knowledge. Good work.

Jools

[mcmullen759]

Thanks for all your help and advice, definitely getting a test kit this week and get it all sorted out.