Fronts Dying WTH!!!!!

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prcdslnc13

Gambusia
MFK Member
Nov 20, 2008
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Ive been on the journey of moving all my fish to different respective tanks. Either bigger tanks for bigger fish or species specific tanks. Today was to be my final move. I had 7 fronts ranging from 2-3.5 in in a 125 with various other cichlids. I wanted to give them their own 55 to do some growing un bothered in while I get their bigger tank set up and move the south americans that were quickly out growing that tank into the 125. The south american move went great they moved perfect with no issues.

the fronts on the other hand dropped straight to the bottom, started gasping and floating around bumping into objects. I dont get it. The tank was cycled with an ac 70, and a penguin 350 riunning it. It had been barebottom but I added pool filter sand before the fronts. I also did a 30% water change. I dont under stand and have already lost the smallest. The other fish seem to be doing better but still. I dont have a test kit, Ill have to get one tomorrow. Any ideas?
 
umm, how long did you cycle the tank for?? also, why did u do a 30% WC before u put in the fronts... do u have air pump, if so drop it in, so it will give them more oxygen
 
the tank had been running for 3 months with fish in it. thats why i did the water change. I used dechlorinator but it was wierd. it was cloudy, Ive never seen it like that before. the ph should have been the same unless that sand did something to it. Im going to go get a test kit now
 
The switching to sand might of took out some BB.
Might want to go to the store to get atest for ammonia.
Eitherway with you having your same filters on the tank it should level back off in a few days.
 
fish are very sensitive to ph changes.. id check that, and the water parameters looking at ammonia..
 
The sand shouldnt have made a difference it was a barebottom tank before. I did get a test kit, and I hate to say it but the nitrates where through the roof. They barely read on the strip. My nitrites were 0, ammoina was 0, chlorine was 0, and ph was around 8.2. My water straight of of the tap was 0,0,0, and same ph. I did a huge water change and they are acting better now. Guess whos not going to screw with his tanks with out a test kit again.
 
I'm glad you found the cause and are correcting it.

Not having a test kit can be bad. Many people with out them think that seeing they change 25% of their water weekly compensates for not having to test their parameters. When in fact their 25% over time can lead to nitrates going threw the roof. Example, 40ppm-25%=30ppm the following week 45ppm-25%=33.75ppm and so on till they are at dangerous levels.

Not saying this is the cause because it could of very well been anything(check your filters;)).
 
It was the water change. 30 percent of fresh chlorinated water will put down most African Chichlids. Especially Frontosa. Now theyre in a smaller tank so the water changes also have to be smaller. Sorry to here this but we live and learn.
 
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