[brad]

In order to provide a quicker response to your emergency problems, please use the form below. Just cut-n-paste the bottom portion of the form (after the instructions) into a new thread, and fill it out as per the directions.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Fill out only the parameters you know or apply to your situation. It is important, however, that you supply the **NUMERICAL VALUES** for your water quality (saying "water quality is good" will not help with the diagnosis). Failure to do so will delay the start of treatment. Take as much room as you need to fill in the blanks.

WHAT TO DO UNTIL A DIAGNOSIS IS MADE:

1) If you suspect a specific disease problem, you should make a 50% water change. Be sure the water you add back is within a few degrees of the tank temperature. Add a water conditioner as needed. In many cases, what your fishes are experiencing may not a disease problem, but rather a reaction to poor water quality. It would be in the fish's best interest if you had your own water quality test kits in order to do periodic testing.

2) DO NOT MEDICATE unless you are absolutely sure what the problem is. In most cases, hobbyists use the incorrect medication at the incorrect dose. The incorrect use of medications can cause more problems than the disease itself.

3) Remove all chemical filtrants from the system (carbon, PolyFilter, etc) as these will remove most medications.

4) Be careful using water quality test kits. Make sure the reagents are fresh. Old reagents will provide false readings which will affect the diagnosis made. In most cases, reagents over 8 months old should be discarded.

5) Once the treatment is finished, do a 25% water change ( to aid in removing residual medication) and replace the chemical filtrants.

The first part of this document (below) is provided to show exactly what information I am looking for. Do not email me that part. Fill out and upload ONLY what is below the dotted line.

PART ONE:

1) Years in hobby: self explainatory

2) Types of fishkeeping: aquariums, ponds, commercial breeder, home hobbyist
breeder, marine, etc

3) Number of tanks: self explainatory

4) Tap water conditions: fill in what you know. Numerical values, please.
pH:
hardness:
alkalinity:
ammonia:
nitrite:
nitrate:
chlorine/chloramine:

PART TWO:

1) Describe the problem in as much detail as possible:
(use as much space as you need. The more detail, the better)

2) TANK:
a) SIZE: (gallonage)
b) WATER TYPE (fresh, brackish, or salt water)
c) AGE: (how long have you had the tank up and running?)
d) LIGHTING: (what type, and how long do you leave it on?)
e) HEATER: brand and wattage

3) FILTRATION:
a) OPF (brand and rated gph)
1) list filter material used and frequency of changing

b) UGF (brand and is it air/powerhead driven?)
1) gravel type

c) OTHER FILTERS: anything else you use (diatom, micron, etc)

4) WATER QUALITY:
a) temp.:
b) ammonia (ppm):
c) nitrite (ppm):
d) nitrate (ppm)
e) pH:
f) alkalinity:
g) specific gravity/salinity <marine>:
h) dissolved oxygen:
i) calcium (ppm) <marine>:
j) who tested: (did you do the test, or did someone else?)
k) appearance (color, odor):
l) water change: (amount and frequency. Do you use a gravel
cleaner?)
m) additives/conditioners: (which do you use?)

5) MEDICATIONS ADDED (how much/when): try to list the active
ingredient rather than a brand name when ever possible

6) POPULATION:

NAME OF SIZE QTY. TIME IN TANK
ANIMAL (INCHES)

common name or estimate how long have you
scientific had the fish?


7) FOOD:
a) TYPE(S) & FREQ. OF FEEDING:

8) STATE OF RESIDENCE:

_________________________START HERE____________________________

PART ONE:

1) Years in hobby:

2) Types of fishkeeping:

3) Number of tanks:

4) Tap water conditions:
pH:
hardness:
alkalinity:
ammonia:
nitrite:
nitrate:
chlorine/chloramine:

PART TWO:

1) Description:


2) TANK:
a) SIZE:
b) WATER TYPE:
c) AGE:
d) LIGHTING:
e) HEATER:

3) FILTRATION:
a) OPF:
b) UGF:
c) OTHER:

4) WATER QUALITY:
a) temp.:
b) ammonia (ppm):
c) nitrite (ppm):
d) nitrate (ppm)
e) pH:
f) alkalinity:
g) specific gravity/salinity:
h) dissolved oxygen:
i) calcium (ppm):
j) who tested:
k) appearance:
l) water change:
m) additives/conditioners:

5) MEDICATIONS ADDED (how much/when):

6) POPULATION:

NAME OF SIZE QTY. TIME IN TANK
ANIMAL (INCHES)

common name or estimate how long have you
scientific had the fish?



7) FOOD:
a) TYPE(S) & FREQ. OF FEEDING:

8) STATE OF RESIDENCE:


___________________END OF FORM___________________________________