Annabelle's tanK:I checked the water in Annabell's tank this morning. She is going through a mini cycle after the tank change which I expected and I'm dealing with that. I just wanted to post the details of her tank just in case something goes wrong.
Amm .50
PH 6.8
Nitrite .25
Nitrate 0-5 (same as it was in the 29 gallon)
Tank mates: about 20 guppies
Equipment: Eheim 2213 (was on the 29 gallon for over a year), Rena xp3 (unestablished)
Sponge filter moved from the 29 gallon(after adding prime to the new tank)
The problem:
Moved her from a 29 gallon to a 125 gallon on Sunday. The day I moved her I forgot to put prime in the water and I'm sure that I killed off most of the good bacteria in her filter (eheim 2213). And I'm sure this is the reason she's going through the mini cycle. I'm doing my water changes and she is doing great so far. She's eating, napping, exploring and begging for food. I have not had any dying guppies since I've added prime. Before I added the prime they were dying within minutes. This is when I realized what I did. I wanted to post this for future reference if I need help in the next week or two.
Now for the bigger problem.
Elvis Tank
Recently in a 125G (running for about 18 months) and moved to 156G
Amm. 0
Nitrite 0
PH 8.2
Nitrate 40
SG. 1.020
Tank mates:
Elvis 10" (S&S)
Cheech 3-3.5" (GSP)
Chong 3-3.5" (GSP)
Daisy 1' (snowflake eel)
Sailfin Algea (3")
Wrasse (3")
Equipment:
Bottom Drilled tank with a 55 gallon sump/refiguim using a mag 18 and protein skimmer.
During tank move: I added new sand a few days before the move and let things settle. The day of the move, I moved all the lr, added more lr, added all their sand, their water and all the water in the reserve 55 gallon drum. All lr was cured that was added. On monday I picked up more lr (also cured) and added it to the tank.
After moving Elvis, Cheech and Chong to their new home from the 125 G to the 156 G, my nitrates shot up to 40. I'm thinking that the move caused the nitrate spike. Before the move the nitrates were at about 20. I moved them to a holding tank, then I added all of their sand and lr from their tank. I think when I stirred up the sand from the move this is what caused my nitrates to spike. Please tell me if I'm wrong.
Since the move I have been making water for a water change. This takes me a few days (sadly). I'm thinking about just using tap water and prime to do my water change instead of ro/di. Do you think this will hurt them?
Also since the move Cheech and Chong refused to eat. We lost Cheech 2 days ago.
I was devistated! When I first got Cheech and Chong (20 months ago), one of them scratched their eye on some decor so I seperated them for a few weeks to treat the eye. During that time neither one would eat. After putting them back together in the same tank they ate like pigs and stuck to each other like glue. Today:
Chong is swimming around his belly going from white to black but refusing to eat. I don't know if it's the high nitrates or if it's depression. Here's the odd thing, the morning that Cheech died he was swimming with Chong not far behind, his belly was going from white to black also. When he would come out in the open his belly would go white, when he went over the rock his belly would go black. When I found him that night it looked like he had been skinned on each side of his body, just one strip on each side. Like when you skin a catfish. All I can think of is that maybe he got spooked and got caught in between some rock and it skinned him.
I can't think of any other explantation. Elvis is eating, Daisy is eating and the Wrasse is eating. I tried to feed Chong but he would swim away from me and hide. He was acting like he is terrified of me. Or mad because I took his brother away.
I plan to do a 55g water change tomorrow, and another on Sat.(using tap water and prime) if you agree that would be better than waiting a few days to make more water. I'm at a total loss and need help desperately.
