Had My First Death In Over 2 Years

[Craig89]

Came home tonight to find my female ram dead. sad day as I really liked my rams now I just have the male. Will he be ok on his own ? All the other fish seem fine. Just going to do some water tests now see if anything has changed

 

[Craig89]

Ok so,

Ammonia 0 ppm
Nitrate 0 ppm
Nitrite 0 ppm
Ph 7.6
High range Ph 7.4

 

[soybean]

After two years with no problems it could just be one of those things, I'm afraid. Doesn't always have to be a reason or be something you could've prevented.

If you haven't already, do an extra generous water change and just keep an eye on things.

 

[mtbdean]

Nitrate at 0, thats rare?

 

[soybean]

Nitrate at 0, thats rare?

Yes, but nitrate tests are notoriously unreliable because the reagents in them settle - it probably needed a much longer shake and a few good whacks on a table first.

If the tank has been running two years with no deaths, presumably it was cycled.

 

[Craig89]

Yep I'm just doing a water change pritty gutted n yeah nitrate at 0 that's what the API said

 

[soybean]

Yep I'm just doing a water change pritty gutted n yeah nitrate at 0 that's what the API said

Just to check and make sure - your tank IS cycled isn't it?

 

[Craig89]

Yeah it's been running 2 year

 

[soybean]

I suspect your nitrate test is getting a bit old. Try testing again tomorrow after shaking the bottle til your arm might drop off and slamming the bottom on a table a few times - you'll probably get a reading then.

 

[Craig89]

Ok will do only had it just over a year

 

[soybean]

Yeah but like I said above, the things in it that cause a reaction can settle at the bottom so you don't get a reading.

But to be honest your nitrate levels are extremely unlikely to have anything to do with the fish death, so don't worry about it really.

 

[Seed_Lord]

Sometimes just happens mate, maybe nowt to do with you, sorry to hear never nice

 

[Caprichoso]

Your rams are 2 years old? With how they've been over bred in the hobby, that would be about what I'd expect for life expectancy. Sorry for your loss.

Your nitrates can be at 0 if you do large weekly water changes but likely it's a defunct test kit.

 

[Craig89]

Is it best to rehime the male ?

 

[creeker]

He should be fine on his own. You don't want to try another female? I know it might not work out, but maybe worth a try.