Co2 Posioning claimed my new german blue ram : (

E

Ezekielz

AC Members
Dec 8, 2008
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So Cal
So I have had my tank fishless cycle for about a month and a week. Just recently I got my co2 pressurized system all hooked up and running. Well two days ago I buy a german blue ram my lfs ordered for me and tonight I discover him gasping for air at the surface. Also he was practicaly laying on his side when he would go back down. This little guy was doing great last night, swimming back and forth in front of the tank watching his own reflection and showing a nice array of colors. So I quickly shut off my co2 cylinder and hold my filter up so a waterfall is created for air. I'm so sad that this happened. I mean, I have a drop checker and all and I guess I didn't read it carefully. (it mainly showed light green the whole time) . It has 4dkh solution. I can't believe I let this happened. As I saw my little buddy gasping at the surface I drove asap to wal mart and bought an air pump with some air stones and placed it in the tank. I then performed a 50% water change with prime, and had waited a little longer than usual to put new water back in so the waterfall from the filter helps aerate the water. I ended up being too late : (.

Here are my readings if you are curious, testing with the API Master Freshwater liquid test kit
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite:0
Nitrate:around 40-60 ppm
Ph: 7.2-7.4
KH:9
The tank is moderately planted with a few pieces of Manzanita driftwood and another type of driftwood.
I use a jager heater, and have a stick on thermometer. The heater is set for 79 F degrees.
 
Sorry that happened... acctually your HOB filter breaking the surface of the water provides WAY more oxygen than the air pump... but air pumps help too :-)
 
Sorry for that to happen
 
not to ruin the emo mood, but with
Ph: 7.2-7.4
KH:9

can you really get a co2 spiked up like that?? i know you said he was gasping for air...but....???

because......i have 2 long fin rams in my tank, my kh is way lower (dont have a test with me, but i pretty much just add DI R.O. and have some crushed coral in my filter) and ph is like 6.5?? and they aren't dead.......
 
rams really shouldnt be put into a freshly cycled tank,i'm not sure why but in my reading most people reccomend not putting them in till the tank has gotten established for several months at least
 
I am so very sorry :(
 
did you do a large water change before adding any fish?

the nitrate seems a bit high. Blue Rams are not tolerant of water conditions less than optimal. they are often paired with Discus as they require very similar water conditions.

they are also not a fish that transports well.

sorry for the loss.
do you know what the CO2 ppm was?

BTW heat at 79 is a bit cool for Blue Rams
 
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Sorry for your loss.

I have to say, it's not your CO2 that killed your fish. With the KH and Ph readings that you listed above, assuming that you are not altering your water Ph with anything, your CO2 was only at 11 ppm.

You stated that the tank was moderately planted. That being said, your nitrate level should have been close to zero. I believe that your tank is still cycling and as someone mentioned above, rams are not tolerant of anything less than pristine water conditions.

I am not passing judgement, trust me I've made my own mistakes, but you MUST ensure that your tank is completely cycled before adding additional, sensitive fish to it. Continue to cycle. When your readings all reach zero (nitrates shold read zero to barely above zero with plants) then you are all set! Good luck.
 
^ no way to tell CO2 level, except by drop checker - the charts are N/A here.

I agree that 1)CO2 probably is not to blame and 2)Rams are not a good starter fish under any circumstance.

I'd replace it with some hardy Tetra or Rasbora species, after a few weeks, add any needed Cory cats, then, a few weeks later, try a Ram or two (I'm assuming that the tank is of adequate size, of course).
 
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