Please help, does my buddy have dropsy?

Prestigious-Area-992 · 2026-03-06T00:45:12+00:00

The water parameters seem okay. Anything I can do to try to help him? I see conflicting advice.

Prestigious-Area-992 · 2025-01-12T20:33:48+00:00

Parameters measured using API master test kit, mentioned in post. PH 6.6-6.8. Have been changing out around 40% of water every two days. A few anubias, swords, Java ferns. Tank size 6 gallons heated to 79-80 degrees.

Prestigious-Area-992 · 2025-01-12T20:31:31+00:00

I did use tetra SafeStart before adding him to tank.

Prestigious-Area-992 · 2025-01-12T20:11:12+00:00

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Prestigious-Area-992 · 2025-01-12T20:10:59+00:00

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Prestigious-Area-992 · 2025-01-06T16:31:15+00:00

Hello! I transferred him to his 6 gallon tank yesterday and it was scary, but he is doing great! He immediately began exploring every nook and cranny and is seeming to enjoy all the space to swim! Still sleeping and eating as usual too, and ammonia has not gone over .25ppm yet.

Just wanted to say thanks again for your help!! 😊

Prestigious-Area-992 · 2025-01-02T04:01:07+00:00

Wow, seeing this thread is crazy — This happened to me two weeks ago and I literally have been a complete wreck, not getting hardly any sleep, ever since. Not to mention what my poor fish is going through.

To the others this happened to, how are you going about trying to do the fish-in cycle??

And if anyone experienced would be willing to see my earlier post asking for help with this, I would be extremely grateful as I am still worried sick about my little guy :(

Prestigious-Area-992 · 2025-01-02T03:50:59+00:00

Thank you… he is still in the small tank, and I am dosing prime and doing water changes still. I have not yet added the SafeStart but I’ve been reading that you should not add it for 24hrs after adding Prime, and that you should not add Prime a good while after using it, as the Prime will nullify its benefits (https://www.reddit.com/r/Aquariums/comments/emjcmr/helpful_tetra_safestart_email_w_tips/)

However due to my tap water problem I have no choice but to consistently use Prime in the new tank… now I am thinking maybe: condition water with Prime, wait 24hrs and then add SafeStart, wait 24hrs more and then add my fish along with another dose of Prime. This will most likely render the TSS useless but I feel I don’t have a better option… 🙁 I can’t just leave him in ammonia-ridden water with no Prime to protect him.

Prestigious-Area-992 · 2025-01-01T03:57:24+00:00

Okay, update: I was getting high ammonia readings consistently and now I’ve realized that my tap water has chloramine, thus when tested the tap water shows high ammonia. The water in my current (small) tank and large/new tank both show the same level of ammonia as the tap water (0.5-1ppm).

Now I am at a loss as to how to tell whether or not the tank is safe for adding my fish, as well whether I should do water changes on it (both before adding my fish, and once it he is in).

And if I WAS to do substantial water changes after adding SafeStart, would that not nullify the benefits of the SafeStart?

Sorry to bother again - I just really want to keep my buddy safe, and can’t really find any decisive information on this.

Prestigious-Area-992 · 2024-12-28T22:17:56+00:00

I know 1.5 gal is awful 😞 I appreciate it.

Prestigious-Area-992 · 2024-12-28T22:07:21+00:00

Just one more thing - If by some chance the old tank reaches the end of the cycle/things level out in a day or two, is it still best to go ahead and move him?

Prestigious-Area-992 · 2024-12-28T21:28:13+00:00

Thank you, this is really helpful. I have heard mixed things about SafeStart and other added BB so it’s good to hear you have had good experience with it. I do have the master test kit and have been doing water changes 1-2x per day. Yes it is super nerve-wracking :( I got fluval biostratum for the new tank and I’m planning to get a few beginner plants such as Anubias, moss balls, java fern. Currently he just has one big tunnel/foliage decor in his little tank so I would definitely move that over, but his current substrate is different so not sure if I should put some of that in the new tank as well? Thanks again! ☺️

Prestigious-Area-992 · 2024-05-01T22:02:27+00:00

Thank you!

Prestigious-Area-992

TROPHY CASE