piedpiper

Biodives thanks for the input it’s definitely something to consider moving forward. While I can see how that could have contributed to the situation, the fact that I already had one casualty and multiple fish in distress before I turned the filter back on tells me that my mistake happened earlier. I spoke with someone with the city this morning and was informed that aside from a slightly higher mineral content and (due to the colder temperatures causing the chlorine to take longer to dissipate) slightly higher chlorine consentration, that there should be no other differences in the water supplied from the city. So I have concluded that, despite my usual diligence, I must have forgotten to treat the incoming water. I didn’t want to admit that this was a possibility at first but I think that it’s the most logical explanation. As embarrassing as that is I have to look on the bright side. I didn’t wipe out all the fish. And now I have room in the tank for new fish. Haha fml

So I’m having trouble making sense of what happened. Yesterday I did a 50% water change on my 75 gal tanganyikan tank, as I do twice a week. The tank is well established and has been running for nearly three years. I finished filling the tank and left to pickup my son at preschool. I came home to realize that I had forgotten to turn the heater and filter back on. I was gone less than an hour and the air stone was on the whole time. The temp was at 76 degrees F ( only slightly cooler than I keep it at 78-79 degrees). I turned on the heater and filter and thought everything was ok. It was then that I noticed one of my julidichromis transcriptus was dead and my synodontis multipuncatus was floating vertically. The syno would swim around a bit but it looked like it was having swim bladder issues and it would always end up in this vertical position. I immediately tested the water and started to do another 60 to 70% water change. The tests didn’t show anything out of the ordinary. Ph 7.8 , ammonia 0, nitrite 0, and nitrate about 5-10 ppm. I also tested the water out of the tap and there were zeros for all and ph 7.8. As I was siphoning I noticed that some of my synodontis petricolas were starting to display the same symptoms as my multipuncatus was and some more of the Julie’s weren’t looking so hot. Over the next couple of hours I lost a total of four petricolas, three julidichromis’, and the multipuncatus. After that I had to leave and pick my wife up from work. I fully expected more casualties when I returned but there were no more. My remaining two petricolas were swimming around as usuall. The three remaining julies were not looking great but they were alive. My altolamprologus were all seemingly fine they were hiding in the rocks as they do during every water change but their colours and patterns did not appear as if they were too stressed. I have 3 yellow calvus, 1 black calvus and 1 gold head compressiceps. So far this morning all the remaining fish look healthy and are not behaving abnormally. I also have a 150 gal with peacocks and haps that’s due for its water change but I’m hesitant to do it yet until I find out what’s going on. I have heard of the city adding something to the water at certain times that could be detrimental but I’ve never had this happen before. I’m in silver springs in NW Calgary. Ive also considered that it could’ve been trapped gasses in the substrate but I have Malaysian trumpet snails and I regularly stir up the sand to avoid that sort of situation. Also the fact that only half of the fish in the tank seemed to be affected makes me think that this is not the case. Can anyone offer an explanation? I’m at a loss.

I feed nls algaemax and nls medium fish formula. I used to also give them 8veggie flakes from HBH but I cant seem to find it anymore.

Calgary tap water is fine for mbuna. mine is about 7.6ph. although the ph in lake malawi is higher chances are you wont be getting wild caught fish and tank raised fish are more tolerant of lower ph. In my opinion it is better to have a stable ph level out of the tap than mess around using buffers and salts trying to mimic the conditions that the fish have never experienced anyway. All my mbuna flourished in just dechlorinated calgary tap water, The key is more in the maintenance, high stock levels create lots of nitrates so water changes are your best friend.

The foam is called waterfall foam the brand is aquascape. I've bought it at Pisces before, they should still carry it. they also have a pretty good selection of mbuna. Its been a while since Ive been there but Golds also has had a good selection. This forum is also a great place to look maybe post a "looking for" thread in the classified section once you get access. theres bound to be someone that has what you want.

Lots of rocks are a must and it's a good idea when you're stacking them to secure them. You'd be surprised the size of rocks that Mbuna can topple. I use the foam used for sealing around rocks for ponds and waterfalls. Also lots of flow is needed so your power head is a good idea.

Hello Harold do you still have any Calvus or compressiseps?

I can't decide which way i feel some days I want to set it up and other days I'm not sure.

I recently acquired a 6' by 18" 120 gallon tank and I managed to put a small chip in the end of one of the 6' panes. The tank has held water without leaks since . just looking for advice is it something I should be concerned about?

I run the aqueon in the second link on my 75 gal and I really like it but its not a planted tank. I do have some java fern and it does well.

Having everything set up automatic is very convenient but just a bit of advice, if you're going away for a while, have someone check up on things while you're gone. I had everything set up automatic and went on vacation for two weeks. As best as I can figure out, I had a gas bubble release from the sand pretty early on, killing all my mbuna. my automatic feeder worked like a charm and continued to feed 2x a day and I came home to a rotting mass of fish and food floating at the top. I realize that the chances of this happening aren't very high but many things can happen when you're gone and I'll never go away again without having someone to poke their head in and check every few days.

I would just like too say Thank you again Harold. The petricolas and L-140's are settling in nicely!

I have actually used linoleum. if you can find some that looks good as a background it works great. you just glue it to the wood, back, sides and bottom and use silicone to seal it all up. Its super easy to clean and most places will sell end of the roll pieces for cheap. if you're lucky they'll have the right pattern in the cheap stuff.

I have java fern in my tropheus tank and I have had it in an mbuna tank as well. in the pic I just wedged the rhizomes in the gaps in the rock work and the wood. in my mbuna tank I had a large bush of it that I purchased already attached to a piece of lava rock. I have also had some luck with anubias in a mbuna tank but it also needed to be secured a piece of wood or rockwork.

Welcome, I was also introduced to the hobby by my father at a very young age.

http://i45.servimg.com/u/f45/15/35/15/10/img_5610.jpg

Can anyone tell me if there are any other kinds of tropheus that look the same as the red rainbows do when they are juveniles?

Thanks , I'm realatively new to tropheus I've kept individuals with mixed Mbuna but never as a group. I'm coming along nicely with my fishless cycle and will soon be ready to order my group of hopefully either moliro Reds , red rainbows or ilangi. I plan on keeping a group of 18/20 in a 75 gal. Any tips/tricks would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks so you don't use any buffers at all? what about lake salts?

I was wondering who here keeps tropheus in calgary? since our tap water's ph is below optimal ph for keeping tropheus I would like to now what members do to their tank water. Do you add Tanganyikan buffer or nothing at all. I've read that not using any buffers and having stable parameters can be better than having possible fluctuations in parameters with every water change. Your thoughts please.

Hello Harold do you still have these? 18 F-1 tropheus moorii Moliro red - 1 1/2 to 2" - $17.50 each

pisces has some really big pieces right now but they are pretty pricey

Thanks that the one I got

Stuff I saw at walmart didnt have any indication of the ingredients so I was unsure about it is there a specific brand thats best?

Thanks I'll check it out.