HELP whats wrong with my africans

Subject: HELP whats wrong with my africans Mon Aug 23, 2010 9:24 pm

My african cichlids have been glancing and staying at the top of the tank the last few days. I added an airstone thinking maybe they needed more air, but it hasn't helped thus far. The tank is 80 gallons running an ac30 (hob), afluval 405, and a sponge filter. The temp is 80 degrees and doesn't change much. The water parameters are as follows
PH- 7.5
KH- 120ppm
GH- 220ppm
Ammonia- 0ppm
Nitrite- 0ppm
Nitrate- 0ppm

I know the KH is low but I don't know how to safely raise it. If you have any help please let me know

Subject: Re: HELP whats wrong with my africans Mon Aug 23, 2010 11:18 pm

Hmmm, are they eating? Have you added any fish recently? The Nitrates should not be zero....I am wondering if maybe your tests are being done incorrectly or out of date... Is there any elements that could of entered the tank?

Subject: Re: HELP whats wrong with my africans Mon Aug 23, 2010 11:22 pm

I have only added one fish recently, my nitrites were closer to 0 then 5.0 so somewhere in between. The tests are only a couple months old and yes they are eatting

The Turtle Whisperer Posts : 1930

If she's got plants in there the nitrates could be at 0. Always wigs me out with the over planted goldie tank. Smile

Subject: Re: HELP whats wrong with my africans Mon Aug 23, 2010 11:40 pm

its african cichlids there is definitely no plants haha, could it be way to over filtered?

Subject: Re: HELP whats wrong with my africans Mon Aug 23, 2010 11:48 pm

No, you said your NitRITES were between 0 and 5.0 which would explain why the fish are acting stressed unless u meant NitRATES. I would do a water change and add some water conditioner which will make the nitrites non-toxic to the fish.

She has Africans saint, I assumed there was no plants but you are right with heavy plants and good filtration the Nitrates could be zero or close to. You can never really over filter though.

The Turtle Whisperer Posts : 1930

I thought plant eating with Africans was on a species by species basis, since the giraffe ones that were here for a while generally left the plants alone.

Subject: Re: HELP whats wrong with my africans Tue Aug 24, 2010 12:43 am

Well, seems like if they don't eat them eventually they breed and will move them.

Subject: Re: HELP whats wrong with my africans Fri Sep 03, 2010 5:12 am

they had gill flukes, and have since been treated with prazi. thanx for the help fellers

The Turtle Whisperer Posts : 1930

No prob. Glad the prazi worked on the africans. Smile

» Something is seriously wrong with some people.
» Hard to find Africans
» Africans and filter sponge foam.

HELP whats wrong with my africans

* Aquarium Volume Calculator* Fahrenheit - Centigrade Conversion* Carbonate Hardness Unit Conversion* Liquid measurements

* Aquarium Volume Calculator
* Fahrenheit - Centigrade Conversion
* Carbonate Hardness Unit Conversion
* Liquid measurements