I invested in a bigger tank for my goldfish and then they all ended up SICK !

Question
Welcome back from vacation!

28 gallon tank set up 1 week

the previous tank was 5 gallon with 2 goldfish that were in there for at least 8 months and might I add, doing so so well, water levels all checked out fine.  I regret trying to give them more room by finally investing in something larger!

2 goldfish - comet and fantail

the filter came with the kit - bigger than my whisper in the 5 gallon tank

levels in 5 gallon tank all 0
levels in 28 gallon tank all 0

I do a 25% water change every 2 weeks and....

ok, so I added my fish into the tank, maybe I thought the water temp was the same, but maybe it wasn't, maybe that was part 1 of my problem.  Then 2 days afterwards, they got ick - I treated it with a heater, raised temp 3-4 degees and also added some salt.  The next day the fish had red streaks all over them plus the ich !  So after doing some research I bought rid-ich.  There are way too many products out there and I really tried buying what I thought was going to work and best for them.

The next day I separated the comet from the 28 gallon tank and put him in a hospital tank - because I noticed that my fantail was picking on the comet, which is substantially larger in size.

So, the red streaks are still on the comet, he seems to be doing well, I started maracyn 2, but my fantail is at a loss and I feel so so so completely horrible.  She had the red streaks, then the fin and tail rot and now fungus has developed everywhere - she is beyond lathargic, so I feel she is not going to make it, even though I really tried to help her - I just think I took her out of the 28 gallon tank mayeb too late.

I was only wanting them to enjoy more space, and I got into enjoy having them and taking care of them.  Instead I created sickness for them.  I know the 5 gallon was too small, however my little guys were doing completely fine probably because of my water changes, water level maintenance and vacuuming.

I am so so miserable and then to explain to my 4 year old daughter what has happened has made this more of a damper than ever.

Sorry, I am babbling, my questions are these:
How do you switch fis from 1 tank to another without hurting them?  I forgot to mention, that water conditioner was also added at the time of setup....

And, if goldfish were in my 28 gallon tank, and I decide not to go with goldfish again, what do I need to do to clean this tank out (from their bacteria) so it doesn't affect any tropical fish?  Not sure what I plan to do with this new tank, and I can't even begin to tell you how non-confident I feel about adding any fish to it....

Any advice is appreciated as I am extremely devistated of what has happened and how miserable my little fantail friend has become.

Thanks Chris !  

Answer
Hi Diane;

Poor guys. You have all been through a lot the last few days. I think it's a combination of stress, shock, and "New Tank Syndrome". It could also be a bacterial infection that wasn't quite so advanced until they were moved and became so stressed. Use the "Maracyn Two" on both fish and make a 25% water change in both tanks. Aquarium salt and a product called "Melafix" would be helpful too. They both help prevent further infection and soothe the wounded areas. Melafix helps re-grow damaged tissues too.

Whenever moving fish from one place to another, even if it's to another tank in your own house, it is necessary to put them in a plastic bag with their own old tank water and acclimate them for 10 minutes just as if you were bringing them home from the store for the first time.

Do the best you can to stabilize them. The new tank can easily have high levels of ammonia and other toxins until it finally breaks-in. Those toxins can cause the symptoms your fish are experiencing. Water changes may need to be made daily to keep it safe if the ammonia and nitrite have risen too high. If you don't already have kits for those, they are a good investment. Goldfish are messy guys that just produce lots of waste for their size so it helps to know what's going on in there before they are affected by it. Here is my own web page about new tank syndrome to help you know more about the whole crazy process;

http://www.xanga.com/Expert_Fish_Help

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins