Here is the web site that has been most helpful to me:

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So you didn't test the water yet at all, did you?
That is what you need to do to know when you have to change the water! Now you skip in there with the gravel cleaner now and then, stressing the fish while a simple water test will decide for you exactly when the water changes need be So really, get that done, as soon as you can, please!!
Not  to mention that 15% now and then is nothing but stress to the fish, it makes no difference whatsoever in the tank. At least 30 or even 50% each time you do it!! But first, test the water to see if it's even needed. Okay?
And if you dosed the salt wrong, don't wait, but do a large water change and add a new, correct dose! These fish of yours are pretty sick, and the longer you wait with treating, the harder it'll be to get them healthy again

Hi trft,

Mad scientist.  Yeah, you start to feel like Doc in Back to the Future playing with plutonium, and you just wanted a couple goldfish.  That's how I felt too, especially with everyone giving me advice and telling me what to do, and I had no idea what I was doing, and couldn't reason this stuff out on my own and had to rely on this forum.  I have since done some reading, mostly on the internet, and feel like I have a sense of control again.  I have also cured TWO of my goldfish in the past 4 months, and am so happy that they are living a happy peaceful life again.

You really need to do more with your water changes.  I know it seems like a lot of work, but once you start to see your fish getting better, it's a much better feeling than having to flush poor little Bubba or Patrick.  The feeling of success after your fish recover is a great feeling.  You will also start to learn how all this stuff ties in together.

Then once you get your tank in balance again, you won't have to go thru all this work, just a weekly cleaning.

The reason you want to test the water is so that you know how serious the situation is, and how big of a % you need to change.  If you don't have a test kit, here's my advice:  change 60%, fill your tank to 80% full, then do another 50% right away, and fill the tank up to the full line.  And realize that this is not the same as changing 75% of your water in one shot, which would be harmful to your fish.


I got that advice from the web site I mentioned earlier, which will lower nitrates and ammonia, etc. all at one time.  Here's the exact quote:

"Here are a few basics for removal/ prevention of nitrates (I will add to this list over time too)
• Water changes; for high nitrate levels changing as much as 60% then filling the aquarium only 80% (this cuts the nitrates in half), followed by a 50% change again which will then have an over all reduction of 75%."

Why are you raising the temp on your tank?  What exactly is the temperature in the tank?
I would increase aeration if possible.  I seriously think your nitrates got too high and might have been poisoning the fish.
Remember that goldfish are coldwater fish and prefer a temperature of 65F-70F.  Although I keep my orandas at 72F.
Remember also that warmer water has less dissolved oxygen in it than cooler water so if you raise the temperature you have to increase aeration via an air pump with an air stone, bubbler, wand of some kind.

I keep my water at 77F, but really, nothing higher unless you have good filtration and aeration in your tank! I'm running two filters and a big air stone in my tank to make sure they get enough oxygen
You really shouldn't meddle with the temperature unless it's absolutely necessary, that will only stress the fish!
And if you have 40ppm of nitrates, you should really change more! 15% won't do anything! At least 50%, since water changes are diluting the nitrates. Think of them as red liquid, the more fresh water you add, the thinner will the red liquid be

Add: It is good for sick fish with warmer water, BUT warmer water will carry less oxygen at the same time as the fish will need more oxygen, in other words, pretty bad when it comes to sick fish. If you don't have an air stone, you really shouldn't go and heat the water too much.

An air stone won't be creating currents in the tank, but surface agitation, which will make for more oxygen in the water. Not to mention that air stones, tubing and air pumps are very cheap A good investment when it comes to goldfish!!

Turns out it wasn't that hard, and I did a 50% water change. I added some aquarium salt and some Nitraban. I'm out of chemical test strips, except for ammonia (currently 0), and have the Freshwater Master Test Kit shipping today. My fish look great! I waiting back from a friend of mine who's company Limnetics specializes in aeration.  And certainly I would like to find a test kit for how much oxygen is in the water, that is, if it is not too expensive.

Ahhh, the good life of happy fish!

There are oxygen tests available, but if I remember it right, it's a kind of "machine". So yes, it's expensive, and really not useful for anything than curing curiosity There will be enough oxygen in the water if you have good circulation provided by filters and air stones One or two should be enough

Most likely!