Fish Dying One By One!

[cfmurray4]

I had 3 cichlids, 2 sharks in my tank, and I switched from gravel to sand on friday. Also on friday I got rocks from a landscaping place, and 100% silicone. I used the silicone that is 100% safe in water, for fish tanks, and made hiding places for the fish. I let it dry for 24 hours. Saturday afternoon I got 2 new cichlids from Tropical Heavan, and put them into my tank. After the silicone dried, Saturday evening, I put in the sink to soak for 30 min, and dry for 30 min. When the rocks were fully dried I put in the tank. The next morning, Sunday, one of my cichlids was acting drunk, and died. So I went to have my water tested, and my water was just fine, everything was ok. So when I got back home that night, The rest of my cichlids died, but my sharks are just fine. I am so confused, and I do not want to buy anymore fish! Please help me figure out this problem. What could it be?

 

[Tizer]

what cichlids ? and what sharks are they?

 

[cfmurray4]

what cichlids ? and what sharks are they?

Cichlids, 1emonsi 1:Acei 1:yellow Kenyi 1:Frontosa 1:Giraffe, Sharks 1:Red tailed 1:Rainbow

 

[fishprotector]

It does sound like chemical poisoning of some kind. The last time I used silicone, you were meant to let it dry for 48 hours min.

Oh your last post came in whilst I was typing the above. What are your water stats and importantly ph?

 

[cfmurray4]

It does sound like chemical poisoning of some kind. The last time I used silicone, you were meant to let it dry for 48 hours min.

Oh your last post came in whilst I was typing the above. What are your water stats and importantly ph?

My red tail shark looks to be done for too!, I am so upset. It said that it only takes 2 hrs to fully be water safe, but I let it sit for 24 hrs. I don't remember by heart what the stats were, but I was told everything is perfect, the only thing that was a little off was something about my bacteria, but the guy said they should be fine. If it was poisoning wouldn't it show up in the tests? Or even if one of my fish were sick?

 

[fishprotector]

'something about your bacteria'. I wonder what the owner meant by that. Is this tank fully cycled? If so, I would go with poisoning from the silicone.

 

[cfmurray4]

'something about your bacteria'. I wonder what the owner meant by that. Is this tank fully cycled? If so, I would go with poisoning from the silicone.

Ya, he said that I may not have enough bacteria in the tank because I switched from fully cycled tank with gravel to sand. So yes the tank was cycled. Dang, alright I am going to take out the rocks. I am so upset at myself! I not only killed my fish, but lost over $35 in fish! Thanks for your input, and I wasn't very helpful with the test readings.

 

[fishprotector]

The level of bacteria living on the substrate is insignificant as long as the filter is fully cycled. if you added all of those fish in one go them you could have caused a mini cycle which would show up on ammonia and nitrite tests, but you way you described it sounds like chemical poisoning.

 

[cfmurray4]

The level of bacteria living on the substrate is insignificant as long as the filter is fully cycled. if you added all of those fish in one go them you could have caused a mini cycle which would show up on ammonia and nitrite tests, but you way you described it sounds like chemical poisoning.

I just figured if it was chemical poisoning it would show up on the tests somehow. I am sure you are right about it though. I took out my rocks, and im going to do a water change, and start a cycle all over again. I am not getting fish until may though. Thanks for all your input, and knowledge.

 

[fishprotector]

I am not really chemicaly minded so not sure which test if any it would show up on. if I were you, I would empty the tank fully and clean it to be sure.

 

[Steve H.]

'something about your bacteria'. I wonder what the owner meant by that. Is this tank fully cycled? If so, I would go with poisoning from the silicone.

Ya, he said that I may not have enough bacteria in the tank because I switched from fully cycled tank with gravel to sand. So yes the tank was cycled. Dang, alright I am going to take out the rocks. I am so upset at myself! I not only killed my fish, but lost over $35 in fish! Thanks for your input, and I wasn't very helpful with the test readings.

It's probably chemical, but there is a good possibility for a spike in ammonia.
I'm new, but changing the substrate might be a logical culprit in this situation and one of the first things that come to my mind. The 8 months of poop and decaying food in the gravel may have been agitated during the substrate change.
But I'm unsure. I don't know how you made the change or if you included a large water change as well when you switched.
I also don't know of any test that measures your bacteria or how someone would know there is a problem with your bacteria unless they are looking at an ammonia or nitrite spike.

Just a thought.

Sorry about your losses.

 

[RZayneC]

never put more than 50% of your current stock in to your aquarium.

As above its probably a mini cycle.

 

[fishprotector]

never put more than 50% of your current stock in to your aquarium.

As above its probably a mini cycle.

He said at the top that he had 5 fish and added another 2...

 

[Rummynose]

My vote goes to the landscaping rocks!

The silicone was for aquarium use and was safe. Adding 2 fish my cause a minicycle but if the ammonia had been at such a level that it could cause death it surely would have shown in the ammonia test (how old is the test kit?)!

But those rocks from the landscaping place could have been contaminated with pesticides or fertilizers! Or heavy metals could be in the rock.

Sorry about your fish!
If you're not going to get any more fish until May, you'll need to feed the bacteria with ammonia if there aren't any fish left in your tank!

 

[RZayneC]

never put more than 50% of your current stock in to your aquarium.

As above its probably a mini cycle.

He said at the top that he had 5 fish and added another 2...

ahh yes I misread it as he had 5 but 2 were bought that weekend.