Pakistani Loach Mystery

[richt]

Hi all,

Three weeks ago I upgraded my 10 gallon tank to a Juwel Rekord 600.

I've got my old filter running in it (in addition to the new one), the same rocks, plants(plastic) and ornaments etc and used some of the old water in order to keep the cycle going.

I moved my fish into their new home - I have 3 x Cherry barbs, 3 x Neon Tetras, a male Betta and two small Pakistani Loaches - and all seemed well; I tested the water and everything was fine.

Then, after three days, one of my Pakistani Loaches disappeared.

After examining the tank, lifting rocks and plants, I assumed that it had died due to the tank move and the other fish had eaten the remains. It was disappointing because the move had seemed to go so well.

Yesterday, over two weeks after the Loach disappearance, I turned the tank light on in the evening and, imagine my surprise, to see that I had two Pakistani Loaches again!

I know Loaches like to hide (I have a little cave that mine live in), but I am certain that I examined all areas of the tank! Has anybody got any ideas about what the little rascal may have been doing for nearly three weeks?!

Weird!

 

[loraxchick]

burried in the substrate? just a guess. maybe why you couldnt find him.
cheers

 

[richt]

One of them has been digging a lot since the re-appearance! They are identical so I can't tell if it's the one that went missing or not

I'm just glad to have the little fella back, as is my 7 year old daughter who calls them zig and zag! I call them Ali and Mehmet .....

 

[richt]

As a side note to this loach mystery. How long should I keep my old filter in the new aquarium before the new filter will be able to keep the cycle going on its own?

Cheers


Rich

 

[loraxchick]

As a side note to this loach mystery. How long should I keep my old filter in the new aquarium before the new filter will be able to keep the cycle going on its own?

Cheers


Rich

simply use the old media in the new filter. instantly cycled..unless its for a different tank altogether. then split the media and stock lightly till the stats tell you to add more fish, slowly.
cheers

 

[richt]

Thanks for the reply. I would transfer the old media to the new filter, however, the new filter is the inbuilt Juwel filter and my old one is a Fluval - quite different.

I'm planning to leave the old filter running for two months and then remove it. My intuition tells me that it will be enough

 

[loraxchick]

Thanks for the reply. I would transfer the old media to the new filter, however, the new filter is the inbuilt Juwel filter and my old one is a Fluval - quite different.

I'm planning to leave the old filter running for two months and then remove it. My intuition tells me that it will be enough

squeeze the old media into the new filter. good way to transfer bacs. and two months should be enough time to get things going. may have a mini cycle when you remove the old but the filter should catch up quickly.
cheers

 

[didz04]

Wouldn't it be a good idea to put in both filters or would that be too much current for the fish?
Then you won't have to wait for the new filter to catch up.

 

[richt]

Thanks for the reply. I would transfer the old media to the new filter, however, the new filter is the inbuilt Juwel filter and my old one is a Fluval - quite different.

I'm planning to leave the old filter running for two months and then remove it. My intuition tells me that it will be enough

squeeze the old media into the new filter. good way to transfer bacs. and two months should be enough time to get things going. may have a mini cycle when you remove the old but the filter should catch up quickly.
cheers

That is a great idea - I will do that. Thanks very much.