please help me!

[mattdabat]

I had 3 african cichlids that have been living in my 30gal tank for months. today i got my hands on a free 60 gal tank so i put the 30 gals from my old tank and filled the rest up with sink water... now 2 of my cichlids are lying on their backs floping around. the other one is no where to be found. did i kill my fish ?

 

[yhbae]

How about more info:

- What fishes do you have? How large?
- What filter did you use in your larger tank - was it from the 30g?
- Did you add enough dechlorinator for the new water?
- Did you add anything else into the new tank?

 

[mattdabat]

3 cichlids about 1'' long i have 2 aqua clear filters running. they have only been in the larger tank about 7 hours i added new gravel but i used the same decorations: lots of coral and shells. never heard or use declorinator before

 

[yhbae]

Ok, so I take that you are not using the same filter that has been used in your 30g tank on a new tank? Are the two Aqua Clear filters completely new?

Also, if you are not aware of dechlorinator, how did you do water changes in the 30g tank in the past? Sometimes, these chemicals are simply called water conditioners. Examples are Stress Coat, NovAqua, etc...

 

[mattdabat]

i've had aquariums since i was a little kid so i have lots of filters and such laying around. they're 2 aqua clear 300's and as for water changes i just add water as it evaporates. never used water conditioning products before

 

[yhbae]

Ok, so most likely, those fishes have died from chlorine in your tap water...

Sounds like you have not done any significant water changes before - this is essential to keep your fishes healthy.

I suggest that you plan from the beginning for your 60g tank - you can accomodate some really nice species in this sized tank. You need to cycle your tank first - there are many articles in this forum that explains how this works, what you need to do. Once cycled, you can slowly introduce some fishes gradually.

Also, keep in mind that you really need to do at least 25% of your tank water per week to maintain a good health of your fishes so you should be prepared to do this for as long as the fishes are alive in your tank...

 

[mattdabat]

lets say my fish all die can you recomend a kind of cichlid that is low maintance and has bright colors? how long should i keep the tank empty before i put new fis in?

 

[yhbae]

lets say my fish all die can you recomend a kind of cichlid that is low maintance and has bright colors? how long should i keep the tank empty before i put new fis in?

I'm curious what you mean by "low maintenance"... Are you willing to do at least 25% water change on your 60g tank? That's at least 15g per week - quite a few buckets if you don't have devices like python to help you...

Also, leaving a tank full of water without any fishes doesn't start any cycling process. Do you currently have a tank that contains some fishes and have been maintaining for more than few months? If you do, you can significantly speed up the process of cycling, which typically takes a month if you don't own other mature tanks already.

 

[mattdabat]

i have one small catfish that has been with me for a few years. he is in the 60 gal tank now and seems to be fine since i saw him eat when i came home to feed them. i don't know the type of catfish it is but he's a marine... i once thought he had died for a few months until i moved all the stuff around in the tank to clean the gravel, and he came swiming out from behind a rock.

 

[yhbae]

Sounds like you don't have a tank that is cycled - you are very lucky to have that catfish that is still alive.

Please read the following thread first:

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=10099

This will give you a good idea what is needed to raise fishes in a healthy way, starting with the cycling process. Then we can talk about what kind of fishes you can accomodate in your 60g tank.

I'll gladly answer any questions that you may have after reading the above thread...

 

[Lafn]

You need some test kits too, I know a guy who raises hundreds of cichlids with straight tap water usage and no chemicals ever.. He is just lucky his tap water is not loaded. And he uses the same water I as do, I have forgot my chenicals and
they are fine. All tap water is not the same.
Rapid change in water temp. from tap water can cause stress to the fish.
Buy a beta and a neon or 2 to start, they are cheap and will help with the cycling.
Betas can get air in most any water.
it takes 3 to 8 weeks for a tank to cycle properly, depending on many factors.
Ammonia test will help prevent deaths.
PH test is good but not as important.
I think the tap water killed em.
Get your de-chloinator ready.

Do not use Ammonia Lock, this will prevent cycling.

Also aquarium salt is good for creating a slime coat which will fight off ich and other deseases.

 

[aberdeen aquarist]

i have one small catfish that has been with me for a few years. he is in the 60 gal tank now and seems to be fine since i saw him eat when i came home to feed them. i don't know the type of catfish it is but he's a marine.

is this a marine tank you are trying to put cichlids in?

yhbae is giving you good advice listen to what they are saying. the topic they have highlighted for you is excellent and explains a lot about the cycling of a new tank.

 

[G_Sharky]

I think the reason why your cichlids died is because of sudden shock. You said you have them for months without doing water changes just adding tap water to replace the evaporation. Cichlids are a very hardy fish and they probably got used to the water parameters that your old tank have, having them move to a bigger tank and adding a huge quantity of fresh and undechlorinated water is the reason why your fish are flapping around on their backs... . You must be willing to do water changes or you won't enjoy this hobby at all..... If your keeping africans the only way to get their colours to brigthened up is keep them happy. Do atleast 25% water change once a week, its not that hard......