new tank : fish dying

[skrefany]

Actually the pH can be involved. The higher the pH, the more toxic the ammonia is.


So what is your ammonia? Here are my points based on your first post.

1. How did he wash the filter? What exactly did he use to wash the filter? Are the filter media in it new or established? The use of hot water or detergents can destroy the beneficial bacteria responsible for keeping the ammonia, nitrites and nitrates at a safe minimum in order for the fish to thrive. Always use dechlorinated tap water or tankwater when cleaning the filter media.

2. What exactly are the water parameters? Post your ammonia, nitrites, nitrates and pH. Post 3 does not justify the tank has cycled especially how it was done. Did you add anything to start the ammonia source? Beneficial bacteria colonize the substrate and filter media, not the water column so old tank water is useless.

3. Per your first post, your boss should get an API liquid test kit for himself rather than rely on his LFS to lie at him "the water is fine" and other empty words.




I for one do not believe in using fish for cycling. Why? The fish is being subjected to the toxic effects of both the ammonia and nitrites as far as high pH is concerned in the former's case. There are other safer options than cycling with a fish. Read this.
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84598

Fishman, I wouldn't blame the chain store for what had happened assuming you never quarantined the new stocks to protect the current stocks from pathogens by new arrivals which often are disease carriers.

So far I think you're the only one that gets what's really going on here

 

[jworth]

use the search feature and type 'cycling'. you havent done this. this is why they are dying. just having it running empty for 3 days wont do the trick.

 

[Lundypmp]

thanks heaps guys appreciate the advice and so does he! will help do it all today thank again

 

[SteveR]

AS everyone has said - tank was not cycled and the amount of fish you added - filter cannot handle until enough bacteria have grown inside it to convert poisionous AMM to nitrite and then nitrate. Whole process fully usuallly takes a couple of weeks at least. If you added alot of fish at once, esp big ones, I am not surprized every single one died.
Lesson learned indeed.

 

[mdb_talon]

If the tank was cleaned and left running empty and then fish put in that died that same night I personally disagree with the general response that it has to do with cycling. They probably would have died, but I dont think it would have happened overnight. Especially if you took the water sample in and there was not a problem with it.

I would lay my bet that there is cleaning chemical residue or some other chemicals in the tank from prior to cleaning that is still there. I would drain the tank and rinse it many times and then start cycling the tank preparing for fish.

 

[TheFishJunky]

what did he use to "wash" the tank? there could be cleaning residue left in the tank or filter.

murphys oil and a bit of downy dish detergent.

 

[SteveR]

If the tank was cleaned and left running empty and then fish put in that died that same night I personally disagree with the general response that it has to do with cycling. They probably would have died, but I dont think it would have happened overnight. Especially if you took the water sample in and there was not a problem with it.

I would lay my bet that there is cleaning chemical residue or some other chemicals in the tank from prior to cleaning that is still there. I would drain the tank and rinse it many times and then start cycling the tank preparing for fish.

WRONG. You can't cycle a tank by just leaving a filter on. You need to provide waste source to grow amm. Ie fish or fish food in the water. And it takes weeks. Make no mistake it's happening because of cycling, the lack of in this case

 

[Chelydra Serpentina]

If the tank was cleaned and left running empty and then fish put in that died that same night I personally disagree with the general response that it has to do with cycling. They probably would have died, but I dont think it would have happened overnight. Especially if you took the water sample in and there was not a problem with it.

I would lay my bet that there is cleaning chemical residue or some other chemicals in the tank from prior to cleaning that is still there. I would drain the tank and rinse it many times and then start cycling the tank preparing for fish.

agreed...every one is right about cycling...but if that was the sole reason that the fish died then it would likely come up in a test. and over night is quick. i've set up tanks and put fish in them after only a day and not had problems. granted it was usually only 1 fish. i agree that the tank was not properly cycled. and i agree that would kill the fish. but it doesn't sound to me like that is the only problem here. he didnt use dish soap did he?

 

[mdb_talon]

WRONG. You can't cycle a tank by just leaving a filter on. You need to provide waste source to grow amm. Ie fish or fish food in the water. And it takes weeks. Make no mistake it's happening because of cycling, the lack of in this case

Wow when did I claim the tank was cycled because he left the filter on? The point was it was a new tank and fish will rarely die overnight from a brand new tank due to ammonia. It takes at least a day or two for most fish and usually longer.

If it was ammonia killing the fish then the water tests should have shown ammonia....

Much more likely to be chemical in the tank

*Edit* Also if you read my post you would see I also said they would have probably died anyway. Not sure how you read my post and believed I was saying the tank was cycled. Guess it that "gotcha" mentality wanting to prove how smart you are

 

[dpiddybgt]

Maybe try and check to see if there is a draw in the heater and running a current through your fish. that would prob kill them pdq.