New tank setup. Finished the rock wall a week ago after about 1 week of stacking. The rock was rinsed and brushed outside with a garden hose prior to assembling and it was rained on for about a week straight before that. I tested the rock with vinegar to see if it was calcium rock and it didn't fizz up like crazy. I initially filled the tank with 280g of tap water from our area and de-chlorinator and let it cycle for a day and a half constantly doing water changes every couple of hours. (Overflows are not hooked up yet 405 and 205 fluvals in temporarily)
Before you stop reading here, the tap water in my area is very good. Negligible amounts of chlorine by the time it hits the faucet. I have done waterchanges and fillups for decades with only nova aqua dechlorinator and I have been keeping discus for 3 years doing water changes from the tap with de-chlorinator and no problems whatsoever.
I then removed/added 180 gallons from the old cichlid tank into the 300g. Acclimated the malawis in a bucket to the new tank. After an hour or so they looked like they were gasping for air. Thought I had sufficient surface action on the tank and powerheads to disperse, but I hooked up air stones regardless. After 30 min some minimal improvement..... Or so I thought. 8 hours later all were dead. Did 2 10% water changes over the next day and a half and tried 2 new test cichlids. They went for about 4 hours then showed the same symptoms flipping at the top going for air then death spirals. Dead the next morning.
Pleco that was put in with the first group is stilll in the water and still living no problems.
My question. The type of rock used is still somewhat of a mystery.... as it was labeled mystery stone at the local stone distributor. It was not full of calcium per the vinegar test.
Current conditions
NO2: 0
NO3: 0
Chlorine: 0
PH: was high at 8 ~ 8.2 - keeping african cichlids mind you so this is desired.
KH: was high around 280 from the new rock - same as above
GH: - 300
Tap water (for example)
NO2: 0
NO3: 0
Chlorine: 0
PH: 6.8
KH: 80
GH: 150
The new rock had an impact on KH and PH somehow since the cichlids normal buffer rock is still in the 75g sump below and has not been connected to the main tank yet. So the new rock is buffering the water somehow.
I do not suspect chemicals/detergents/sprays or other to have entered the tank. I am very suspect of the rock though. Any other tests to run to determine what is going on with that rock?
Before you stop reading here, the tap water in my area is very good. Negligible amounts of chlorine by the time it hits the faucet. I have done waterchanges and fillups for decades with only nova aqua dechlorinator and I have been keeping discus for 3 years doing water changes from the tap with de-chlorinator and no problems whatsoever.
I then removed/added 180 gallons from the old cichlid tank into the 300g. Acclimated the malawis in a bucket to the new tank. After an hour or so they looked like they were gasping for air. Thought I had sufficient surface action on the tank and powerheads to disperse, but I hooked up air stones regardless. After 30 min some minimal improvement..... Or so I thought. 8 hours later all were dead. Did 2 10% water changes over the next day and a half and tried 2 new test cichlids. They went for about 4 hours then showed the same symptoms flipping at the top going for air then death spirals. Dead the next morning.
Pleco that was put in with the first group is stilll in the water and still living no problems.
My question. The type of rock used is still somewhat of a mystery.... as it was labeled mystery stone at the local stone distributor. It was not full of calcium per the vinegar test.
Current conditions
NO2: 0
NO3: 0
Chlorine: 0
PH: was high at 8 ~ 8.2 - keeping african cichlids mind you so this is desired.
KH: was high around 280 from the new rock - same as above
GH: - 300
Tap water (for example)
NO2: 0
NO3: 0
Chlorine: 0
PH: 6.8
KH: 80
GH: 150
The new rock had an impact on KH and PH somehow since the cichlids normal buffer rock is still in the 75g sump below and has not been connected to the main tank yet. So the new rock is buffering the water somehow.
I do not suspect chemicals/detergents/sprays or other to have entered the tank. I am very suspect of the rock though. Any other tests to run to determine what is going on with that rock?
