Tank Switching Disaster

[jeanoroid]

Some input from the pro's please..
Yesterday I moved my fish into a new tank and now I have a bunch of dead fish.. I'd like to save a few..

This is what I did:
- rinsed all new glass & plastic thoroughly

- I transfered all the previous wet/dry media to new wet/dry housing (new filter pads etc.)

- I transfered 90% of the water from the old tank to the new tank with 10% water change.

- new gravel rinsed thoroughly

- new wet dry pre-filter installed w/new sponge filters

- check temp, tested water (OK) & moved fish

I added some Dechlorit and salts**

Everything looked good until this morning. Half the fish were killed.

I checked the following levels with results:

PH: 7.8 (no fluctuation)
Ammonia: 0
Nitrates: 0
KH: low-normal
GH: THROUGH THE ROOF!

**The "pro" at the aquarium shop raved about using salts rather than Stress Coat. I find out that these salts raise GH dramatically. I had never used these salts before and am not sure what the GH level was before moving the fish, but I doubt it was nearly as high as it is now.

I have replaced 40% water with DI and added a water softener pillow and the GH levels are starting to subside.

The levels continue to stay consistently good but the remaining fish don't look good at all.
Their fins look bad and they are breathing hard.

Any ideas... Does anyone know of toxic GH levels?

Thanks in advance.
Jeano

 

[jeanoroid]

Anyone??

 

[Faramir]

I don't think there is such a thing as an acutely toxic GH level. What were these "salts" that the shop sold you, and how much did you add?

 

[rus]

its is not that the raised level of gh is harmful its that is was changed rapidly. ph isnt the only thing that fish have to acclaimate to kh and gh are also a facter. changing the gh that fast would be very stressful to the fish. then replacing the water with 40 di water made another rapid change in hardness. big chemistry changes should be avoided at all cost. i would do small (10%) water changes daily untill you tank gets back to normal.