My neighbor gave us a 30 gal tank that had been well established for quite some time at her home. fish at the time included 2 large pleco, 2 large bala and 20 large tiger barbs. One bala died in transit. one of the large pleco has been given to a friend (two that size was too much for this tank).
Most of the water was removed to move the tank, but gravel remained intact. I did add two more inches of substrate (gravel stuff medium to small size). They didn't have much gravel in there and nothing to power the undegravel filter. The filter they had on it was a power filter with an old carbon sack that had not been changed in quite some time (her husband passed away suddenly two months ago so I am sure the aquarium was not high on her list of priorities).
I added some fish (10 small danios) and two gouramis and 5 or so platys. Thinking the tank had already established bacteria. I think added some slate for a hardware store (after i wash it off). I used the slate to construct a very nice looking cave/terrace complex using aquarium silicone (i checked and it is approved). however, I did not let it sit for 48 hours before introducing it in the tank (got impatient).
The next day all of the fish are panting and their gills are red. I did a 30% water change that day and then a 15% the next day. I went and bought a penquin biowheel filter (150 gph) and added a power head to the undergravel filter (with the hose going out to add bubbles). thinking that maybe it was lack of oxyen. I cleaned the top of the gravel with vacuum during this last water change. And I also cleaned about 20% of the deep gravel at that time as well. There was so much debris and detritis that is was almost black. Will continue to do the same over the next couple weeks in different areas. They continued to pant. so I took out the slate and I am letting it cure for a while now.
This Am they looked a bit better and their panting had slowed. Color is great on all the fish, in fact, the platys are as bright as I could imagine (they are sunset and red).
Could the silicone have caused this? How can i make sure that slate was not the problem. The cave/terrace is really nice and took a long time to construct would love to use it, but only if it is safe. Any suggestions on making sure it is totally clean before putting it back in the tank?
Most of the water was removed to move the tank, but gravel remained intact. I did add two more inches of substrate (gravel stuff medium to small size). They didn't have much gravel in there and nothing to power the undegravel filter. The filter they had on it was a power filter with an old carbon sack that had not been changed in quite some time (her husband passed away suddenly two months ago so I am sure the aquarium was not high on her list of priorities).
I added some fish (10 small danios) and two gouramis and 5 or so platys. Thinking the tank had already established bacteria. I think added some slate for a hardware store (after i wash it off). I used the slate to construct a very nice looking cave/terrace complex using aquarium silicone (i checked and it is approved). however, I did not let it sit for 48 hours before introducing it in the tank (got impatient).
The next day all of the fish are panting and their gills are red. I did a 30% water change that day and then a 15% the next day. I went and bought a penquin biowheel filter (150 gph) and added a power head to the undergravel filter (with the hose going out to add bubbles). thinking that maybe it was lack of oxyen. I cleaned the top of the gravel with vacuum during this last water change. And I also cleaned about 20% of the deep gravel at that time as well. There was so much debris and detritis that is was almost black. Will continue to do the same over the next couple weeks in different areas. They continued to pant. so I took out the slate and I am letting it cure for a while now.
This Am they looked a bit better and their panting had slowed. Color is great on all the fish, in fact, the platys are as bright as I could imagine (they are sunset and red).
Could the silicone have caused this? How can i make sure that slate was not the problem. The cave/terrace is really nice and took a long time to construct would love to use it, but only if it is safe. Any suggestions on making sure it is totally clean before putting it back in the tank?
