fungus in tank system

[Peter Cattin]

Dear Christina,

The problem of fungus is certainly one of water management and is 
more than simply the ammonia.   You will have great difficulty 
trying to "starve" the fungus out.  Your best bet is to remove the 
offending tanks and put the fish into fresh ones.  Take the fungus 
ridden tanks and wash them in water as hot  as the tanks can 
stand.  If the fungus is in other parts of the system, try to remove 
these parts and wash them also.  Get rid of the fungus physically 
not chemically by attempting to starve them.  

But the main problem will be very high organic loading in the water 
and probably uneaten feed left in the tanks for too long.  Remember 
to replace 10% of the water every week and don't over feed.  It is 
very easy to keep throwing feed at the fish but it doesn't do them 
any good.  Just feed enough for the fish to eat in 1-2 minutes.  
Vary the amount of feed with the number of fish in the tank.  Use 
the correct feed and I can help you with that if you want.  Don't kill 
them with kindness.  Remove any uneaten feed at least once a 
week.  Better to feed too little than too much.  

I would be interested to know whose fish system it is that you are 
using so I can better understand the nature of the problem with the 
baffle filter ?  

Please let me know how it goes.


Sincerely,
Peter Cattin
--
Peter Cattin PhD
Department of Molecular Medicine & Pathology
Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences
The University of Auckland
Park Road, Grafton, Auckland.
Private Bag 92019, Auckland,
New Zealand

Tel: +64-9-373-7599 xtn. 86373 or 87719
Fax: +64-9-373-7492

Christina Quasarano wrote:

> I am having a big problem with fungus in the tanks system I use.  I
> have shut off the unoccupied tanks to avoid contamination in them.
> The problem exists in the tanks with the fish.  There is growth
> behind the plates in the back of the tank.  These plates are
> designed to keep the fish from flowing out with the water, but allow
> waste etc to flow out underneath it.  The growth does seem to
> focus/accumulate around the area at the back of the tank where the
> waste and dirty water flow under the plate. It is white in color and
> appears in siphonous clumps when observed under a dissecting
> microscope. I have heard that methylene blue can be used to
> eliminate the fungus.  I am unsure of the concentration to use and
> the side effects of this (both good and bad, other than eliminating
> the fungus). If anyone has any suggestions or ideas, they would be
> greatly appreciated!  thank you!
>
> Sincerely, Christina Quasarano
>
> ***************************************
> Christina Quasarano
> Research Assistant,
> Chemical Hygiene Officer
> Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology
> Phone # (617)638-4187