View Full Version : Fish dying rapidly!!! Help!
I transferred the fish from my old tank to a new one that is bigger. After a few days fish started acting abnormally - go to the bottom or stay at the top grasping for air (the tank has good air flow). I checked the pH and ammonia levels right away, and they are fine. They are dying one after another with no symptoms of illness, which must mean it is because of the water quality. Before I put the fish in the new tank, I left the tank for a couple of days to stabilize and added all the necessary water treatment chemicals. I also used for the first time some planth growth enhancer because I planted live plants. It says it adds iron to the water. Can an increased level of iron cause harm to the fish? I don't know what to do? Is it because the tank needs more time for it to become biologically stable and how can I prevent further death of fish?
Help appreciated!
ChilDawg
05-23-2003, 9:34 PM
Iron, beyond a low-level amount, is a poison. How much did you add?
I added 10mL (2 capfuls) because my tank is 20 gal. It says that on the bottle.
ChilDawg
05-23-2003, 9:44 PM
What's the concentration of Iron in that mix?
i have the same problem some fish are fine but i just added 4 rams and they all look like they are not getting that much air and just sit at the bottom is their a way to fix it
ChilDawg
05-23-2003, 9:49 PM
Dang, but I can't work with that number. I apologize, dado.
zland, I would suggest starting a new thread in Cichlids in order to get your question answered.
What else is there that could be wrong with the water?
ChilDawg
05-23-2003, 9:57 PM
After re-reading your initial post, I have a darn good idea. You should probably read up on "cycling" a tank, because I don't think that yours was cycled prior to the addition of the fish. That seems to be the problem...I'd try to return all the fish and start a fishless cycle in that tank.
I would have to agree with you. I think that even though I left it for a couple of days without fish, it needs more time for it to completely stabilize. Thank you for the help.
net_shark512
05-23-2003, 10:11 PM
Dude like Childawg said you need to read up on cycling a tank. It doesn't mean stabalize a few days without fish.
I added "Cycle" and left it for a few days, but that might not be enough. I've just read that nitrates need to be produced, so I might go and get a kit that measures the level of nitrates.
ChilDawg
05-23-2003, 10:19 PM
Adding a product that causes the tank to cycle but doesn't contain bacteria doesn't work...
The nitrites are causing fish to suffocate, so I guess I found my problem because the fish seem ok, but then they suddenly die.
net_shark512
05-23-2003, 10:25 PM
I don't think you are understanding what cycling is read this I copied it from a website for you.
During the cycling process, ammonia levels will go up and then suddenly plummet as the nitrite-forming bacteria take hold. Because nitrate-forming bacteria don't even begin to appear until nitrite is present in significant quantities, nitrite levels skyrocket (as the built-up ammonia is converted), continuing to rise as the continually-produced ammonia is converted to nitrite. Once the nitrate-forming bacteria take hold, nitrite levels fall, nitrate levels rise, and the tank is fully cycled.
Your tank is fully cycled once nitrates are being produced (and ammonia and nitrite levels are zero). To determine when the cycle has completed, buy appropriate test kits (see the TEST KIT section) and measure the levels yourself, or bring water samples to your fish store and let them perform the test for you (perhaps for a small fee). The cycling process normally takes anywhere from 2-6 weeks. At temperatures below 70F, it takes even longer to cycle a tank. In comparison to other types of bacteria, nitrifying bacteria grow slowly. Under optimal conditions, it takes fully 15 hours for a colony to double in size!
ChilDawg
05-23-2003, 10:26 PM
That would be it...we can talk you through a fishless cycle when you're up to starting over.
Rometiklan
05-24-2003, 1:30 AM
Originally posted by Dado
I transferred the fish from my old tank to a new one that is bigger.
To reduce the time it takes to fully cycle a new tank, you could have transferred the filter from your old tank to the new tank. Your old filter has an established colony of bacteria that will jump start your cycle. As well, moving some ornaments and/or gravel from the old tank to help seed your new gravel bed would have also helped reduce the time it takes to cycle. I would have also filled the new tank with as much of the old tank water as possible. If you had used any or all of these tactics, the move to the new tank would have been much less stressful for your fish.
I would also not rule out the possibility that some kind of contaminant entered your new tank. Toxins from some household products could have entered your water column in some fashion. Review your set-up procedure and make sure you hadn't used such household cleaners during your set-up process.
my tank had fish in it for a month(and cycled for 2 weeks) but i have the same problem he has with the fish...........its planted and has diy co2, run bubble machine at night
zland are you checking your parameters?? Do you actually have a nitrate production, It is very important you guys cycle your tanks thoroughly. Time isn't the issue here, I've known people that "cycled" their tanks for over a month with no nitrate production. What have you done to cycle your tank???
wetmanNY
05-25-2003, 9:28 AM
There are several good basic books about fishkeeping out there. One I like is David Boruchowitz, The Simple Guide to Freshwater Aquariums. You can get it mailed to you from www.amazon.com if you don't have a bookstore in your neighborhood.
You can't get the general picture of the what? and the how? and especially the why? from individual posts-- even with the good information here at AquariaCentral.