I Think I Am Looseing My Cichlid

[TaterbugTwins]

I set my tank up 4 days ago. I have tested my levels every day, made adjustments, it was perfect for 2 days, then I got my fish today. The tank is a 30 gallon. I got 5 african cichlids. I did everything like I was supposed to, floated the bags, transferred the fish, not the water, and so on. I tested my water again b/c one of my fish was acting weird. He is hanging at the top or behind the filter, kindof on his side. My ammonia was slighly elevated, but everything else was perfect. The pet store told me to do a 25% water change, so I did. Is there anything else I can do for my poor fishy?

 

[WILDER]

Did you do a fishless cycle, or are you cycling the tank with the fish.
Immediate water change, increase aeration in the tank.

 

[TaterbugTwins]

What do you mean by cycleing the tank? I am new to all of this. I did what the petstore told me.

 

[WILDER]

Think you better look at the pinned topics begiinners.
The tank needs to cycle.
Find you some info on cycling a tank.


http/www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/cycling2.htm

 

[TaterbugTwins]

Okay, I have read over a couple of them. I do not have a way to do fishless cycleing. I ran my tank for 4 days, with a used filter. I did know that much. Is there anything I can do for this poor fish while I get my tank right? He seems to be perking up a bit, but I do not know. Off to read some more.

 

[TaterbugTwins]

Okay, I have read over a couple of them. I do not have a way to do fishless cycleing. I ran my tank for 4 days, with a used filter. I did know that much. Is there anything I can do for this poor fish while I get my tank right? He seems to be perking up a bit, but I do not know. Off to read some more.

 

[WILDER]

Only a water change and more aeration i'm afraid.
What are your other stats in nitrite,nitrate.

 

[martyn21uk]

When you say 'used' filter do you mean one from an established tank?

 

[TaterbugTwins]

PH- was 8.2 is now 7.4
Ammonia- 0.50 (kindof between the colors of .25 and .5)
Nitrite- 0
Nitrate- 10


Yes, from my brothers cichlid tank.

 

[martyn21uk]

Okay, did you allow it to dry out before putting it into your tank? How long was it in between tanks? Hopefully and I think it looks like you're having a 'mini-cycle' which is much less painful than a full cycle. But any level of ammonia in your water is dangerous to your fish so do as suggested with the water change, you can do about 15-20% every day until ammonia and nitrite both read zero consistently. Increase aeration as well as Wilder suggests, it makes the ammonia less dangerous. Have you any ideas why your ph has changed? What else have you got in your tank? Rocks?

 

[TaterbugTwins]

My PH changed after my water change. Is that normal? I am getting ready to go buy another air pump right now. Luckilly I live a mile from kmart, so I can get what i need fast. My test kit says nitrate needs to be under 40, so is the 10 bad? The filter never dried out. We took it from his tank, put it in a bowl of tank water, and drove it to my house. Then we set up my tank and put it right in.

 

[WILDER]

Ph can change with an ammonia reading.

 

[TaterbugTwins]

OKay, I added in the air pump and stone. The fish is by the stone now. Hopefully this will help. Thanks for the help. I am going to read some more threads.

 

[WILDER]

Ok fingers crossed and good luck, hope the mini cycle dosn't last to long.

 

[martyn21uk]

My PH changed after my water change. Is that normal? I am getting ready to go buy another air pump right now. Luckilly I live a mile from kmart, so I can get what i need fast. My test kit says nitrate needs to be under 40, so is the 10 bad? The filter never dried out. We took it from his tank, put it in a bowl of tank water, and drove it to my house. Then we set up my tank and put it right in.

Spot on with the filter transport, well done!! Nitrates are not a problem at all. Without going too in depth into the the nitrogen cycle, your fish poo and pee, this releases ammonia into your tank which is dangerous to fish so we all have a filter where bacteria live to change that ammonia into nitrite. Sadly nitrite is also dangerous but thankfully we also have bacteria that changes this nitrite into nitrate which is only dangerous when it gets too high. To keep nitrates under control we do water changes. Nitrate can go up to 100ppm before they become dangerous but in reality you will do your water change and lower this long before it gets that high. The process of setting up this bacteria is what we call cycling. All of this bacteria that does this for us grows in our filter so by introducing used filter media you gave yourself a great headstart. You transported the media correctly but if you then had it in the tank for a few days with no fish in to start with 'some' of this bacteria would have died off because it had no pee or poo to work with. this is where you get a mini cycle. that is the filter can't cope with the load of fish straight away so not all of that ammonia is turned into nitrite and not all of the nitrite will be turned into nitrate. The good news is that the bacteria multplies pretty quickly so all being well you well have a matured filter in no time. By doing water changes in the meantime you will help by taking some of the ammonia out and replacing it with fresh water (de-chlorinated of course!) thus reducing the stress on your fish. Have you already got an airstone in your tank? If so no need to go out and buy a new one, just make sure it is on as powerful as it can be and you'll be fine.

What does concern me though is your ph swing. When you first set the tank up did you use your own tap water? Did you use your own tap water for your water change? test your tap water for ph and post results back. Did you use any chemicals/buffer to change you ph at any point. What decorations do you have in your tank?

When testing tap water, also do it for Ammonia, nitrite and nitrate and post here. You should know what your starting point is and it will just help in case you have any problems there. I'm off to bed now cos i'm in england but I'll check again in morning and post back as soon as if nobody else takes over from me!!