My fish-in tank cycling went as well as can be expected. A little back story, the filter was upgraded from a hang-on to a canister. After waiting a period of time, the substrate was replaced, changing gravel to agramax / Cichlid mix.
Unfortunately, the time between changes wasn’t sufficient. The biofilter was compromised. I had to cycle the tank, using Seachem Prime and Stability as well as adding a seeded / active filter sponge from Angles Plus. Stayed on top of the multiple water changes a day, monitored water parameters several times a day. Added air stone. Used salt once when fish readily appeared stressed. All the fish made it through.
My water parameters are: 0 ppm ammonia / 0 ppm nitrites / 10 ppm nitrates / 7.6 ph / 180 ppm gh. Tank temp is at 81 F. My canister is a Marineland C360, running a standard setup with routine maintenance.
My fish: 3 African cichlids, 1 red tail shark, 1 pleco, 2 clown loaches, 4 giant danio. 2 of the danio and 2 of the cichlids were introduced to the tank over a period of time shortly before this mess happened. All 4 are adolescents. The water parameters before this happened were good.
It’s been 4 days since the tank stabilized after the crash and the readings remain solid. I measure it twice daily.
Two days ago I stopped doing water changes but continue to monitor the water parameters twice daily. Again, no fluctuations. Since that time, however, the fish in the tank have increased their flashing and darting and it continues to worsen. They never flashed before the crash. And only a little during the cycling.
The fish have no signs of ich, other than the flashing and darting. My red zebra, who though ornery, has been my best confidant through this ordeal when it comes to communicating, has become withdrawn and is spending more time near the bottom of the tank. His eating has slowed. He does get those occasional momentary burst of energy to flash, dart, and chase others out of his area. The other fish are increasing their flashing now.
Suggestions on where I go from here? Should I treat for ich / Gill flukes ? Med suggestions if so? Because of the pleco and loaches, reluctant to go the whole salt route.
Unfortunately, the time between changes wasn’t sufficient. The biofilter was compromised. I had to cycle the tank, using Seachem Prime and Stability as well as adding a seeded / active filter sponge from Angles Plus. Stayed on top of the multiple water changes a day, monitored water parameters several times a day. Added air stone. Used salt once when fish readily appeared stressed. All the fish made it through.
My water parameters are: 0 ppm ammonia / 0 ppm nitrites / 10 ppm nitrates / 7.6 ph / 180 ppm gh. Tank temp is at 81 F. My canister is a Marineland C360, running a standard setup with routine maintenance.
My fish: 3 African cichlids, 1 red tail shark, 1 pleco, 2 clown loaches, 4 giant danio. 2 of the danio and 2 of the cichlids were introduced to the tank over a period of time shortly before this mess happened. All 4 are adolescents. The water parameters before this happened were good.
It’s been 4 days since the tank stabilized after the crash and the readings remain solid. I measure it twice daily.
Two days ago I stopped doing water changes but continue to monitor the water parameters twice daily. Again, no fluctuations. Since that time, however, the fish in the tank have increased their flashing and darting and it continues to worsen. They never flashed before the crash. And only a little during the cycling.
The fish have no signs of ich, other than the flashing and darting. My red zebra, who though ornery, has been my best confidant through this ordeal when it comes to communicating, has become withdrawn and is spending more time near the bottom of the tank. His eating has slowed. He does get those occasional momentary burst of energy to flash, dart, and chase others out of his area. The other fish are increasing their flashing now.
Suggestions on where I go from here? Should I treat for ich / Gill flukes ? Med suggestions if so? Because of the pleco and loaches, reluctant to go the whole salt route.