Fish Dying Off In New Planted Tank

[Haste]

I recently set up a planted 55 gallon tank. I rinsed the substrate even though it said not necessary because its pre rinsed and designed for planted aquarium. I filled the tank and then after a day proceeded to put a few fish in to help cycle. The fish died within the first ten minutes. Is this caused by releases of gas in the new substrate? Will a few large water changes fix this?

 

[KittyKat]

What are your water parameters? Please post some more information: http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/2330-please-read-before-posting-to-emergency-section/

What is the name of the substrate you used? Did you dechlorinate the water or add anything else to it?

 

[Haste]

Water parameters tested all SAT using test strips the substrate OS Caribbean plant substrate. I did not add anything else to the water, on all my other tanks no additives are needed and the chlorination levels are not real high. This is the first tank I've had this problem with.

 

[KittyKat]

What were the symptoms? It was almost certainly to do with water quality.

What were your exact test results? Strips are not accurate, but better than nothing.

How do you measure chlorine, chloramine and heavy metal levels in your water?

 

[Haste]

The basically looked like they were gasping for air only water. I don't have the test strip with me left it at hone and now I'm at work and for chlorination levels you can check with your towns water department. I use air agitation while filling to eliminate any excess chlorination, don't think its that either because I didn't have any issues in the other tanks I've set up including one at the same time as this one

 

[SO19Firearms]

I use air agitation while filling to eliminate any excess chlorination, don't think its that either because I didn't have any issues in the other tanks I've set up including one at the same time as this one

Not sure 'air agitation' really cuts the mustard and it won't disperse chloromine either. (It's used to stop 'air agitation' effect)

Does sound like ammonia or chlorine. Correct water changes will help in either case.

 

[nurglespuss]

Quite correct, chloramine is unafected by water movememnt/airation etc. and will build up in the tank, if you could plot it, you would see a series of spikes after every water change (not good for fish - plants not really bothered).

I would suggest buying a cheap bottle of dechlorinator for a start!

You also say they were gasping 'in' the water? (not at the surface, well choramine is essentially a disinfectant (they use it to treat Koi KHV) and it eventually breaks down to produce acids and of course, relase the chlorine molecule....

Sounds very much like respiratory/internal irritation caused by something, and it could be that...

 

[Haste]

Hopefully problem solved tank looked real good after an extra day and a cap full of prime