All My Fish Died!

[Ch4rlie]

Ok, if that is the case, then am afraid you will need to take out the carbon bag as no.2. and replace the sponge as in no.1.
 
What has happened is, the filter bacteria actually lives in the sponge media, and since that you took out the sponge you now have no bacteria, so essentially you will need to do a cycle again. 
 
Carbon is basically used for taking out metals and any completed medication treatment from tank water.
 
Basically your fish died because of ammonia and nitrite, these are actually toxic to fish.
And with no bacteria in filter to control ammonia and nitrite, it has nowhere to go but staying in your tank water and affecting your fish.
 
Have a read of this, am sure it will help you understand a little bit more about how the process works.
 
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/427812-what-is-cycling-a-tank/#entry3620981
 
Not the best news I know but at least you know what has happened and why your stocking got ill and losses occurred.
 
Sorry about that!

 

[loopy25]

hi, so let me understand this properly, they died because he took the sponge out and put the carbon bag in?

 

[Ch4rlie]

More than likely am afraid. You need the sponge for the bacteria to grow and live on, bacteria cannot grow on active carbon really.
 
He was just trying to be helpful, a honest mistake and easily made, so don't be too hard on him or yourself.
 
Most of us, I certainly have, all have made mistakes we'd rather forget about when first starting out in the hobby, this is how we learn, from our mistakes.
 
Fishkeeping is pretty much a ever learning process and there is always something new to learn from the hobby.  

 

[loopy25]

sorry for the late reply. Thank you to all for your help I really appreciate it. I know my son was only trying to help and he has sincerely apologised and feels really bad. All I have left is my plec now so I will allow time for the tank to recycle and build up the good bacteria again befor attempting to add any more fish. Hopefully I should be able to get it all back to how it was. Out of interest how many fish maximum should I have in the tank? I want neons and guppies really. Advice is appreciated, also should I get live plants or not. I have a 32l tanks.
thanks
loopy

 

[fluttermoth]

Live plants are always best; they're gentler on the fish, if they brush against them and do help, a little, with water quality by using up fish wastes as fertilizer.
 
I hate to be the bearer of bad news after you've already been through such a bad time, but your plec is very likely not suitable for your tank. Most plec species grow far too big for a 32l tank Could you try and get a picture of him so we can identify him for you? I think you should brace yourself for the possibility you'll need to either rehome him, or get a much bigger tank for him.
 
Personally, I wouldn't want to see neons kept in a tank of that size. Although they're small, they are very active and really ought to have at least an 18" long tank to give them enough swimming room.
 
Realistically, you're looking at keeping seven or eight one inch fish (that's adult size, not the size they are when you buy them).