Is There Something Im Doin Wrong

[Bala Sharker]

i have a 15 gal tamk temp set around 79 i do a 30% change weekly and all water stats are perfect. the tank has been set up since last feb around 10 months now i changed from gravel to sand 2 months ago since the substrate change i have lost five fish 4 new panda corries and my final gourami from the start. would the deaths be down to the loss of bacteria in the old substrate or somethin else. i continued my water test and water changes after the substrate change and all readings were perfect. i total i have lost the 4 panda corries and 2 gouramis and 2 harlequin rasboras. im now left with 6 harlequins from the start and 2 amano shrimp.

what type of fish wud be suitalbe to add now as the tank look svery empty im thinkin maybe increasing the harlequin shoal but would rather a new fish type

any help would be great
thanks

 

[KittyKat]

What sand did you use? Did you wash it?

What type of filter do you have?

I would try the following stocking:
* 10 harlequins
* 6 Corys (or 10 dwarf Corys)
* 6 amano shrimp
* 1m 1f honey gouramis

 

[Bala Sharker]

used argos play sand and washed it thourily till it ran clear. filter is an elite stingray 15 i think.

 

[KittyKat]

Nothing wrong there.. did the fish look stressed before they died? Were there any signs on injury or disease? Do you dechlorinate water? Did you add anything unusual to the aquarium?

 

[Rynofasho]

Although some bacteria resides in the gravel, most live in the filter. Not sure I can offer any real insight, other than that from what I've read, Panda Cories and some Gourami species are very sensitive fish. Have you measured pH just to be sure? You sure your tank heater is still working properly?

 

[Twinklecaz]

I've found Honeys to be very sensitive. Maybe you've just been unlucky like me. I know Pandas are known to be sensitive.

Try Sparklers istead, they're reportedly much hardier (though I 'll tell you in a couple of months lol)

 

[the biffster]

whats your stats

 

[star4]

Can you see bubbles in your sand? harmful toxins (ammonia etc) an build up in sand, you would need to give it a good vac and move it around to release any trapped "air" and do a wc. I would suspect this to be the problem as you lost corys who would be grubbing around in the sand and could have released some gases, the rest would leak out eventually.

I wouldnt add any other fish just yet. Till you find the problem.

 

[fishnovice]

Can you see bubbles in your sand? harmful toxins (ammonia etc) an build up in sand, you would need to give it a good vac and move it around to release any trapped "air" and do a wc. I would suspect this to be the problem as you lost corys who would be grubbing around in the sand and could have released some gases, the rest would leak out eventually.

I wouldnt add any other fish just yet. Till you find the problem.

I recommend adding some MTS snails to the sand substrate. They are great at turning sand over to avoid buildup of toxic gases and also keep sand clean. Use them in all my tanks. They don't eat plants and won't multiply out of control unless you seriously overfeed fish.