Fuhlin Loaches, Pepper Cory Deaths?

[Fishery]

Hi All.. Just a question for the experienced.

After first combating new aquarium syndrome.. ie Ick! I've been able to keep Neons, white shirt tetras, Har. Rasboras, Dwarf Gourami's, Balloon Mollies.. without too much problems.

The problem I have is that everytime i introduce bottom feeders.. Pepper Corys, and recently Fuhlin Loaches.. they tend to die without any apparent reason. The substrate is a mixture of fine and semi fine grains.. temps is down from 28oC to 25oC (28oC to get over the Ick)... with PH around 7.

Any Idea why the deaths of the bottom feeders?

regards

 

[ashleigh]

are you testing ammonia, nitrites and nitrates as well? what are those levels? Have you read the stickies on cycling? new tank syndrome is not ich- I may have just misunderstood you. How long has your tank been running?

 

[Fishery]

Hi Ash.

when i referred to New tank syndrome, i was loosely referring to the common problem of Ich. Being that i got this parasite problem 1 month after operation of my new tank.

I think i'll need to invest in a Ammonia test kit, since i've only been using PH test kit. The tank has been operating for 3 months now.. with a three stage filteration system.. sponge, Ammonia, carbon filters.

"stickies on cycling"? sorry don't understand what you mean by that.

 

[Phooka]

At the top of each forum are threads that are stuck at the top, they say "Sticky" next to them. They contain a lot of basic information, frequently asked questions, and various other must-reads.
Also, there is a lot of helpful information in the articles section of this site.
Cycling refers to the nitrogen cycle, this site's basic article on it is here.

You definitly want a ammonia kit, (and a nitrite and nitrate kit, too!) I'm not sure, but I think corys are very easily affected by ammonia levels? (Look at me trying to act like I know what I'm talking about... I haven't even got any fish yet.)

 

[fishdude07]

youll probably need to get a nitrate and nitrite test too...not just an ammonia test. stickies are threads that are stuck at the top of the forums...like this... http://www.myfishtank.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=4 see how the top 2 threads have "sticky: " written in front of them? those are stickies...now...that top sticky there is called "setting up a new tank"...thats a sticky on/about cycling...click it and read it

 

[trouthead]

Welcome to tank

The 'stickies' refer to a collection of threads that discuss preparing your tank as a good habitat for fish.

Most importantly they cover the nitrogen cycle, where ammonia (toxic fish waste), is converted to nitrites (also toxic) and then to less harmful nitrates by bacteria colonies within your filter. The nitrates in turn, are removed by yourself through water changes.

Here is the link to the 'stickies':-

http://www.myfishtank.net/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=19357

I also recommend Ecotank's guide to new tanks, which can be found here:-

http://www.myfishtank.net/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=19568

As for test kits - I would go for Ammonia, Nitrites and Nitrates and not worry about pH.

edit: sorry to have repeated much of previous posts, but it takes me that long to compose a message, that others have already posted by the time that I submit.

 

[fishdude07]

lol trouthead...i said what phooka said and you said what we both said...but yes it took a while to compose the long message with me too...lol

 

[Fishery]

Yeah.. i'll head out and track down some test kits just to properly monitor water quality rather than relying on the fish to show signs that something is wrong. I suspect that my tank after 3 month in operation has cycled, but I have no clue to the water quality. Yes, i do water changes.. 20% weekly with Water conditioners. Local aquarium owner recommended that when doing water changes to add boiled water to the bucket of cold tap water to increase the water temp a little so as to not shock the fish due to sudden water changes. Boiled water apparently doesn't have the dangerous gases associated with normal hot water from the tap. Tab water is about 19oC, add a little boiled water to get it up to approx 23, 24oC.

I bought two Kuhlin Loaches last weekend.. one only lasted 2 days.. and the other is doing fine, but due to the shy nature of these creature they are very difficult to take down in my tank.. i suspect its hiding in the driftwood.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

You can probably bring a water sample down to your lfs and have them run a test on it, to see what the ammonia and nitrites are.

Kuhli loaches like to be in groups, so another may make yours less shy.