Hi,
I aquired a pair of apisto cacatuiodes 3 weeks ago, as I have had problems keeping them previously* I have carried out very simple water changes (20% water change, no gravel clean or moving of ornaments) just to make sure they had settled in. I got these from a reputable local breeder so I know they are of good quality, upbringing etc.
* I previously purchased 4 1m 3f from my lfs which all died over a period of 4 weeks (1 a week) which I put down to parasites/poor quality fish as none of my other fish had similar symptoms being clamped fins, sitting at the bottom of the tank, loss of colour/apetite and eventually death.
This week I thought it was time for a good thorough cleaning so I removed the ornaments (one side at a time to ensure the fish had somewhere to hide) and carried out a gravel clean trimmed the plants etc returned the ornaments on the clean side and then took out the ornaments from the dirty side and proceeded to clean that side. I took out approx 60-70% water and used Seachem Prime. I always turn off the filter and heater and only ever rinse one of my two filter foams in tank water to ensure bacterial levels are sufficient.
I got up the following morning (yesterday) to find the male caca displaying the same symtoms as mentioned above it was still alive when I left for work this morning .... so I am now wondering what I am doing during my vigarous tank cleaning that causes this reaction? P.H is 7.5 in my tank and from the tap the water I source from my kitchen sink and I tank the chill off so as I far as I can tell it's roughly the same temp. My gravel cleaner is home made - symphon pipe with the top of a coca-cola bottle attached to the bottom which creates a nice vacumn effect when rested on top of the gravel. I have now bought a purpose made gravel cleaner so I will use that this weekend and try and see if the remaining caca responds the same way.....
I am very concerned as to what is happening in my tank?? And obviously thinking I should probably lay off changing the water/cleaning the gravel if everytime I have fish dying.... confused or what!
I aquired a pair of apisto cacatuiodes 3 weeks ago, as I have had problems keeping them previously* I have carried out very simple water changes (20% water change, no gravel clean or moving of ornaments) just to make sure they had settled in. I got these from a reputable local breeder so I know they are of good quality, upbringing etc.
* I previously purchased 4 1m 3f from my lfs which all died over a period of 4 weeks (1 a week) which I put down to parasites/poor quality fish as none of my other fish had similar symptoms being clamped fins, sitting at the bottom of the tank, loss of colour/apetite and eventually death.
This week I thought it was time for a good thorough cleaning so I removed the ornaments (one side at a time to ensure the fish had somewhere to hide) and carried out a gravel clean trimmed the plants etc returned the ornaments on the clean side and then took out the ornaments from the dirty side and proceeded to clean that side. I took out approx 60-70% water and used Seachem Prime. I always turn off the filter and heater and only ever rinse one of my two filter foams in tank water to ensure bacterial levels are sufficient.
I got up the following morning (yesterday) to find the male caca displaying the same symtoms as mentioned above it was still alive when I left for work this morning .... so I am now wondering what I am doing during my vigarous tank cleaning that causes this reaction? P.H is 7.5 in my tank and from the tap the water I source from my kitchen sink and I tank the chill off so as I far as I can tell it's roughly the same temp. My gravel cleaner is home made - symphon pipe with the top of a coca-cola bottle attached to the bottom which creates a nice vacumn effect when rested on top of the gravel. I have now bought a purpose made gravel cleaner so I will use that this weekend and try and see if the remaining caca responds the same way.....
I am very concerned as to what is happening in my tank?? And obviously thinking I should probably lay off changing the water/cleaning the gravel if everytime I have fish dying.... confused or what!
. So much for people carrying out BIG water with no adverse effects I must just be the unlucky one!
