Need Help with New Cichlid tank!!!
25 posts • Page 2 of 3
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sweetlou - Posts: 12
- Joined: Tue Aug 09, 2011 11:18 am
Used all natural stone from a Pond supply store and have many caves....I will post a picture..so it seems like your now stumped like me??
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DanDman18 - Posts: 115
- Joined: Mon Jun 20, 2011 12:56 am
Yeah, pretty much for right now, but i don't want to say something like take out the salt, oh they still died, well try this, oh they died well try this, you know. This is very weird, because you have oxygen from the wet/dry, the toxic levels are good, and even if (not saying you did it wrong) but even if the tank wasn't done cycling they shouldn't die that quickly, you said they were healthy from the fish store, maybe try something like doing a 30-50% water change and try cheaper fish, then when they are good go for cichlids. you said the water is 81 degrees, according to the heater or a thermometer, because in my tank i have the actual heaters set to 76 but the water is actually 82, i know im saying basic and general statements but i don't know what else to say. I will keep thinking because i am very interested myself and would love to see this issue resolved. I stay posted when i think of something else.
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sweetlou - Posts: 12
- Joined: Tue Aug 09, 2011 11:18 am
I have read on this site that lava rock guttering was safe. Use vinyl gutters and zip tie them together then use 100% pure silcone to place the rocks on the vinyl gutters. Well after having this crazy issue, I looked into vinyl a little more and found that vinyl leaches a chemical called "phthalates' that is highly toxic. Very dissapointed, I put 18 hours into setting this tank up. Oh well I will deal with it when I am ready.
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DanDman18 - Posts: 115
- Joined: Mon Jun 20, 2011 12:56 am
Wow, well i am glad the problem was found, sad that all your work was in vain, and hopeful you try again and get into this hobby. Good luck
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Alasse - Posts: 993
- Joined: Sun May 09, 2010 5:35 am
- Location: QLD Australia
All levels are not fine i'm afraid
With those stats....The tank definately wasnt cycled, hadnt even started. If you put all the fish in at once the tank would have very soon gone toxic even without the possible vinyl issue
With those stats....The tank definately wasnt cycled, hadnt even started. If you put all the fish in at once the tank would have very soon gone toxic even without the possible vinyl issue
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sweetlou - Posts: 12
- Joined: Tue Aug 09, 2011 11:18 am
@alasse....you are correct tank was not cycled.....I had only put one fish in a few days after the bunch of little fish died....and even the one fish died in 2 hours...not thinking it is cycle issue....especially with such quick of a death on just one 2 inch fish.
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Alasse - Posts: 993
- Joined: Sun May 09, 2010 5:35 am
- Location: QLD Australia
Have you seen what ammonia poisoning does to a fish? It can kill them in seconds, its horrible. And you have a decent ammonia level showing, which will only climb.
Cichlids do not abolsutely have to have salts added to the water. I have cichlids and do not add salts. They are gorgeous colours and breeding well.
Why still add more fish to a tank that is having issues, i would be emptying it and starting again. To keep subjecting more fish to the situation is cruel and not something that should be done.
Cichlids do not abolsutely have to have salts added to the water. I have cichlids and do not add salts. They are gorgeous colours and breeding well.
Why still add more fish to a tank that is having issues, i would be emptying it and starting again. To keep subjecting more fish to the situation is cruel and not something that should be done.
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sweetlou - Posts: 12
- Joined: Tue Aug 09, 2011 11:18 am
@Alasse....Thanks for your animal rights speel.......no need to be harsh....if I thought they were going to die....do you think I would of bought them.....duh!?
I am starting over......thanks for the salt advice...
I am starting over......thanks for the salt advice...
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Alasse - Posts: 993
- Joined: Sun May 09, 2010 5:35 am
- Location: QLD Australia
Thats not harsh, sorry if you feel that way.
Having 1 lot of fish die with in an hour is bad enough and that can happen, done it myself. But honestly why go out and buy a second lot and toss em into a tank that is obviously not right??
Fish do not drop dead on masse in a short time if the tank is not a toxic wasteland
Again not being harsh but just trying to help.
Having 1 lot of fish die with in an hour is bad enough and that can happen, done it myself. But honestly why go out and buy a second lot and toss em into a tank that is obviously not right??
Fish do not drop dead on masse in a short time if the tank is not a toxic wasteland
Again not being harsh but just trying to help.
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sweetlou - Posts: 12
- Joined: Tue Aug 09, 2011 11:18 am
@alasse.....didn't look if I wrote it in the previous forum talk....but I added another 8 fish after 3 days and a 50% water change.....didn't just dump 8 more fish into tank with making no changes to it.....on each occasion.....ammonnia levels did not alter....came to realize that the GE 100% pure silicon II may be safe for minimal use but the amount that I used making the caves out of lava rock guttering was most likely too much....starting over using PVC not vinyl gutters and silicon from the lfs not the GE silicon II.....hopefully all will be fine....wont know until I finish it.....which wont be for a week or two.
