Chiclid Tank Problems *Need Help*

[Lady G]

I know I have been there with the cycling process..After 2 weeks u should b good if using bottled bacteria...
Are u using any bottled bacteria to help cycle the tank? If not u might want to purchase a bottle of "Cycle" from your lfs asap to help speed up the process.

I have never used cycle...but isn't that for before you add the fish? I thought that once the fish was added, you should not use it? I really, don't know since as I said...I've never used it, but that is something I have heard.

 

[ShareefBadmash]

Just an update, I didnt touch anything last night. I got home and noticed my Yellow Labs turned black from the face and body. They are just positioned by the filter, frozen barely moving or eating, every other chiclid is reacting normally. This is exactly what I was worried about changing the 50% Water

 

[Lady G]

I really do not think it is the water change that did this. Look at it this way, in the wild, the water is constantly changing as the rivers run into the lakes and the lakes run into the ocean and so on. Doing water changes is one of the best things you can do for your fish.

How much water conditioner are you using when you change your water? How do you change it...with buckets or a python? If you are doing it with buckets..do you add the conditioner to the bucket water or the tank itself? The only reason I am asking this, is because when I first started doing water changes, I only dosed the tank for the amount I changed. If you add it to the bucket itself...that is fine. If you are adding it to the tank itself, then you need a full dose for the size of the tank. (Does this make since to you..did I work that right?)

They also may be stressed from high Ammonia, Nitrates and/or Nitrites.

 

[ShareefBadmash]

I using a 10 Gallon Bucket, adding 1 Teaspoon of Conditioner for each bucket and making sure the temp is close to 78-80. I guess it might be stress that causing the discoloration of the Yellow Labs. And what's a Phython?

 

[Lady G]

So you add the conditioner to the change bucket then? That is good.

LOL, a python is a hose type thing you attach to your sink. It will siphon the water out, then you can adjust the temp and turn it and it drains water into the sink...VERY worth getting!!!

Yes, stress can cause discoloration...and is most likely the cause of it. Have you got the test kit yet?

I say continue to do water changes for now. When you get a kit, you can check the water yourself and watch the Ammonia, Nitrates, and Nitrites yourself, then just do the water changes when they rise. Until you have one though and know where your readings are, I think you should do the water changes. To help with the stress on the fish, just don't stick your vac all the way down to the gravel and stuff, just let is suck the water out from the top.

 

[sicklid66]

Ya go and get a master ph test kit and check everything and make sure filtration is as best as u can do there is no such thing as over-filtration and if u dose the water to remove any charcole media cause this will filter out any treatments and i use novaqua when i do a water change bout 25% BI-weekly is what i do. and i pick a random day to fast them to prevent bloat

 

[Tongue33]

Hi All Newbie here on this forum and needed some expert opinions for my African Chiclids Tank and extreme cloudiness(Brownish Tint). I have read up on the issue and it’s likely caused by over feeding my fish but the solutions are confusing, some place say never take out more than 20% Water.

Here’s the current layout: 46 Gallon Tank, Regular Gravel, Marineland 350 Bio Wheel Filter, Heater set 80, One Rock(Raise PH) 3 regular ornaments and 6 total Chiclids. I will post a picture up later tonight (Please don’t laugh its nothing compared the work of art by you guys)

The place I got it from, tested the water sample and said the PH Levels are good. They suggested to do a 10% Water change, which made no difference acutally made it worse after 5 days cycling.

Yesterday I went back with pictures of my tank and the Store manager told me to I have an Imbalanced Tank and too much waste is causing the extreme cloudiness. He told me to change 50% of my tank (Which I did Last night it made a difference) and here’s the scary part, 25% Daily for 4 days straight.

My biggest concern, I did a drastic water change a month into my tank and within 24 hours all my fish were dead. That could have been caused by three things- Over stressing my fish, it took me a more than an hour of cleaning or me being an idiot and taking out 75% water change and adding possibly tainted Conditioner(It was like a blue dye) from Wal-Mart.[/FONT]

In expert opinion is it safe for me to change 25% of the Tank for 4 days straight? I am now using professional grade conditioner and love to have my tank in crystal clear condition like I see here on this forum. Any other suggestions are welcome.

Please give us a name for the conditioner that was blue .

Also If you are going to use conditioner and do not fully understand it yet.. I would suggest getting some prime.

I would get prime anyway.. You can double the recommended dose and not have ill effects on your fish

Anyway.. you may want this for when you test your water.. as if there are Nitrite and or ammonia present you will want to follow the directions on the lable for such indications.. As Prime detoxifies these things so to speak making your water liveable for your fish.. It does not remove them That is for the BB that is establishing in your tank.

But please give us the name of the Blue dye like conditioner.. I have only seen medication in this color.. but I could be wrong.

 

[ShareefBadmash]

Sorry for the late reply. Anyways I threw out the conditioner after all my boys died. I beleive it was from Tetra small yellow bottle.

As for the condition of my tank it has been excellent. I just make sure to do 25% Water Changes Bi Weekly, Do not over feed my fish and constantly do testing. Another thing that helped was AmmoLock.

Thanks for all your help. Now my new challange is moving my tank to my new condo.