Black freckles on clown loaches

[LK]

Chefkeith: I use Stress Coat. I have heard many people call it "snake oil," and because of that I tried switching to Tetra AquaSafe about a month or two ago. After a few days of using it, I saw my fish flashing, which at first freaked me out. I suspected a disease and continued using the AquaSafe for another few days, before it occurred to me that maybe the change in water conditioners was, for some reason, bothering the fish. I did a large water change and switched back to Stress Coat, and the flashing stopped and never returned. I don't necessarily endorse Stress Coat, nor do I think the aloe vera in it actually does any good, but nonetheless it seems my fish are used to it and get irritated by other brands. And, btw, the new Stress Coat formula neutralizes chlorine, breaks the chloramine bond, and neutralizes the ammonia that results from the broken down chloramine. From what I understand, not all products neutralize the ammonia, which is then taken care of by the bacteria instead.

[LK]

hmmm, well I guess to answer my own question about the decorations, I should get the TDS instrument and test my water and test what happens to when I soak the decorations in a bucket....

[chefkeith]

. ...about a month or two ago..... I did a large water change....

Was this when the black spots started?

[LK]

That's a really good question. It wasn't a huge change, but I did do about 8 gallons a day for 3 days in a row. That's about 15% per day (I never do more than 15% at a time). I wish I'd written on the calendar when I first noticed the spots. I should have, but I put it out of my mind because the first few internet searches I did back then came back saying the spots weren't a problem. Today was the first time I read your posts in the archives.
I'd like to try the drip method. If you don't mind explaining, how exactly does it work? Do I have to have a sump?

[chefkeith]

It doesn't require a sump. The drip method of changing water requires an overflow on the tank though. For every drop of water added, a drop of water leaves the tank through the overflow.

There are many ways to customize where the water flows out.
I have my overflow going to a planted paludarium sump, then another overflow on the sump that goes to a floor drain. Some people will have them going outside into their gardens.

If I had just one 55 gallon tank and didn't want to make things too complicatied, I'd probably just set-up a two 5 gallon buckets near the tank.
I'd build or buy a simple overflow box, much like this one-http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/p ... atid=18357

One bucket would have fresh dechlorinated water in it. The other bucket would be empty, but would be filled up with dirty tank water draining from the overflow box. A small variable speed powerhead connected to hose would be in the fresh water bucket that would pump water up to the aquarium.

That probably sounded complicated.

[LK]

No, not too complicated. I think I get the basic picture. In fact, it sounds like a good idea and one that might simplify my water changes. I'd just have to make sure the overflow was slow enough not to fill up the bucket too quickly.... If I could get it to cycle about 5 gallons per day, that'd be fine. This gives me lots to think about. Thanks again for all the help.

[starsplitter7]

I adjust the flow rate by tying my hose into knots. There's probably a fancier way of doing it.

[LoachOrgy]

mine do this sometimes when they fight. they will get these black spots. but they go away as well. seems like a color thing to me but i have no idea. often when my alpha gets excited and starts dancing she turns a darkish black color and the spots come out very strong like this but i don't notice that it happens when the fish are stressed or when there is a water quality issue.

i am seeing it more often than not now. but they go away sometimes the next day, sometimes i see them for a few days. and maybe its not that they go away, maybe they just don't pop as much.