HELP!!!!

[cichlid_freak]

I just changed my 29 gal. tank into a fully Malawi mixed tank. I have 8 cichlids all about 2-3". This is the lightest fish load this tank has ever had. I have a Penguin 330 on it with the biowheels. This was my first tank, and has been set up for about 6 months.

Well yesterday I came home from work and checked the amonnia, and it was off the charts. I proceeded to take out five gallons of water and replaced it with RO (it was the quickest to do w/out adding amonnia), and put some tap in a bucket and treated it with dechloronizer and Ammo Lock 2. I then checked the ammonia again and it was still high. I put the tap in and again let it settle and checked it again. It was still high.

Last night I rushed out and bought some Ammo-chips and put some in my media bays in the 330. I haven't had a chance to check it today, but will once I get home. There are no dead or sick fish, and I have reduced feeding heavily to only one pinch of the mini cichlid feed.

I am out of ideas. I don't know why the ammonia spiked. I didn't increase feeding (about 2 small piches twice a day), and all food I place in there (after soaking) is gobbled up within 30 sec. Please help!

 

[cichlid_freak]

Oh yeah, the tank has a strange cloudiness to it, along with a very strange film on the top of the water. I don't know what it is and can't seem to get it off by placing a paper towel on the surface. I don't know what it is, what could cause it, or how to fix it! Is it possible this is related to it? The film looks a lot like if you thro a Vienna Sausage can in to some water (like its fat or grease or something) I don't feed beefheart or any other type of food except frozen brine and pellets, so I haven't the foggiest what to do.

 

[catman]

Sounds like the tank is mid cycle..

What are ur ammonia, nitrite and nitrate readings?

 

[bodyshop20]

I to would say you are in mid cycle, just dont panic and start using chemicals to sort out the water condition.
Just let it go full turn, Trust me.
I used to panic and end up with more chems than water

 

[cichlid_freak]

I checked last night and the Ammonia levels are around 8!!!!! The nitrites are bottomed out and nitrates are around 20ppm, I think. I'm still sorting out the complexity of the test. I may go to those testing strips. Does anyone know if they are reliable.

Another brilliant question-

How can my tank be in mid cycle? It has been up and running for about 6 months. There has always been fish in it. There is only 8 cichlids in it now. The tank has of course already cycled once (when I set it up) and has never had much problem after I got the Penguin 330 (about 4 months ago).

Did my bacteria colony die off?
Is it possible that only my nitrifying colony died, since I don't have any nitrites.
What could have caused the spike?
Why do I keep rambling on like this?
Will Bulwinkle be able to get out of this quagmire?
Will Rocky figure out he's not a chicken?

All these questions will be answered in our next exciting show entitled:

MEN AT WORK!!!
or
BOMBS AWAY MANHATTEN!!!





P.S.- Does anyone remember that show?

 

[cichlidmaster]

I remember the show....with a fondness I hate to admit

Ok now on to your question/s!!

How much time elapsed between the fish that were in the tank, and the cichlids going in?? Bacteria need a constant supply of food and if the tank was without fish then it is possible the colonies died off.

Even though the load is light, what type of fish were in the tank prior??

Cichlids, even small ones produce a lot of waste and it is possible the bacteria colonies were not able to handle the excess.

Continue doing water changes, but not with RO water. This may have needed trace elements missing in it.

Use dechlorinated tap water. You could safely do 20% daily until you see the ammonia levels drop.

Keep us posted.....

CM

 

[wetwetwet]

Hi cf,

I'm by no means 100% on this but have a recolection that ammo-lock turns ammonia to a non toxic form that won't harm the fish but does not actually remove it. But in this changed form it will still register on your ammonia test?? and will only be reduced by water changes or if bacteria can still convert it in this 'safe' form (not sure) Does that make sense?

Maybe someone else could confirm this or otherwise?


hth

 

[CFC]

Your right WWW Ammo lock does convert ammonia into a safe form that still registers on a test kit,i'm told that it is then processed in the normal manner by the bacteria so although your readings are sky high CF there is no need to panic ........yet

 

[cichlid_freak]

I figured that the "safer" form of ammonia was better than the added amount of ammonia from de-chlorinating chloramines. This was an educated guess. I also really want to know if anyone knows a good way to remove stuff from the water (refer to the film mentioned in post 2). I'm doing like 20-30% changes (apx).

Also what is sooo strange is that I took out an Oscar (about 5"), common pleco (about 3"), pictus cat(about 3"), striped rafael(about 3 1/2"), and returned the RTC that I bought the weekend before (he will get WAY bigger than I can handle). The 7 Mbunas, that I talked to you about CM, were already in there. All that I added was a Sunshine Peacock (is it from Lake Malawi or Lake Tang?)!!!! So there was never a time where the tank was empty. The only thing I can figure caused the spike is that I didn't wait long enough after adding water last time (for de-chlorinization to take place), and possibly killed off some of my nitrifying bacteria, thus the need to rebuild my colonies. That's really the only thing I can think of. But again all opinions are appreciated.

CM-I feel like the guy at the end of the show all the time. I want to learn so much so quickly, and love to pick the brains of people in the know.