3 dead fish in 3 days... afraid of day 4

[savannah_az]

You mentioned sand how deep is the substrate?

Not very, 1/2 to 3/4 tops. It's sandblasting sand.

 

[tlindsey]

I was thinking possibly sulfuric poisoning, but don't know if that is deep enough to develop a pocket.

 

[savannah_az]

I was thinking possibly sulfuric poisoning, but don't know if that is deep enough to develop a pocket.

are there any symptoms I can look for?

 

[tlindsey]

One symptom would be odor similar to rotten egg.

 

[savannah_az]

One symptom would be odor similar to rotten egg.

No none of that, tanks just smells like... Well tank lol

 

[tlindsey]

That's great aquarium water should smell earthy Keep observing fish for aggression like was stated earlier.

 

[celebrist]

If nitrates are reading zero I would think your test kit is possibly off they are notorious for precipitating out. Do you really smack and shake the bottle before using? I ask because you might have high nitrates and not know it.

 

[savannah_az]

there not reading zero there reading, but very low, i just did another with a stick (i know i know) and ALSO the liquid to to make sure. my water change isn't set to go off for another few hours so i figured now is a good time. the stick looks like nothing and the liquid is still yellow and it maybe as high as 5.... on the high note, no dead fish this morning.

 

[tlindsey]

That's great to hear, also if your doing daily wc's your nitrate level should read low, unless your tap water contains nitrate. Imo I believe the weaker fish were was killed by the stronger dominate cichlids.

 

[savannah_az]

I have low to no nitrates in my water. And yes I have a timed solenoid that kicks on and opens a house water line each day and a waste line thru the floor.