Is Hexagon Tank killing my fish?

[sawyer1206]

It seems that I did two things wrong while TRYING to cycle the tank.

First using Cycle and believing it worked, second, not adding any source of ammonia. I will correct the problem and let you know how it goes. Thanks for your help.

 

[Rbishop]

Wait...no ammonia if you still have fish in there!

 

[cichlidcichlid]

This is what you need to do. Drop the cycle, do not rely on it. Then go back to the lfs and get 2 fish. Then leave it alone. Feed our fish daily. Your 33 gal tank will take a very long time to get high ammonia by then you will have enough bacteria cultured on your bio wheel. If they died then there is probably some other issue involved.

Follow these steps and you will thank me.

I have 11 african and south american cichlids in a 29gal.

I know you think this is way over stocked but if you do not over feed and you know what you are doing it is possible.

 

[Peanutsweet]

Well yes if you feed the human from the four food groups daily AND clean the coat closet out well, it's possible he could live in there for several years.
Some humans can even sleep standing up, so you might could house a pair in there...

 

[SirWired]

Captndan,

To answer your question I used aquarium safe silicone to attach the lava rock. ( on a side note what is the difference between GE Silicone II and Aquarium silicone other then $10.00 a tube?)

Silicone meant for bathrooms has mildew growth inhibitors in it. This is why it would be a VERY bad idea to use in an aquarium. It of course is made in vastly larger quantities than aquarium silicone, hence the lower price.

SirWired

 

[wataugachicken]

and when your "starter fish" die from ammonia poisoning, cichlidcichlid will be happy to foot the bill. . . .

 

[Star_Rider]

I read it that way too Star_Rider, but look a the top of the numbers list.. I think that's pH = 8.0

At least that's how I read it second time around. The columns didn't line up right when the post, uh, posted.

okay,..that looks a bit better

what still doesn't add up is cycling a tank in 3 weeks. the onlytime I have seen a cycle sped up is when 'live' bacteria are added to a tank.

and what was the source of ammonia(i know fish were added but when in this set up were the fish added.)

word of caution..I agree do not add ammonia with live fish, they wil provided ammonia..and monitor readings every 12 hrs when doing a 'live' cycle.

you need to be prepared to do water changes and you need to know when.

 

[Rbishop]

Sawyer...still there? What plans are you having to get this tank up and running after all your hard work?

Also....I have a question...in your first photo, there is a nice white canopy on the tank. In your second shot where you are displaying the plexi-glass lid you made there appears to be a thick black rim at the top of the tank.

It has brown spots on it. It reminds me of chipped paint, as if while taking the white canopy on or off the lower supporting frame is being damaged. Possible source of toxin?