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  #1  
Old 02-11-2013, 12:36 AM
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darkreef darkreef is offline
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Default freshwater problems

I have a 55 gallon tank.
ammonia , nitrate ect all normal.
but everything i put in there dies.

so lets tell you more about my set up
this is mainly a experiment for me

first time using sand substrate, 6 plants swords, anabis , java fern
i also have slate rock from B.C, if you ever go for a drive to golden bc there is beautiful black slate on your left hand side. i picked some scrubbed it down but it in.

i do weekly water changes of 10% every friday ( with conditioner)
i have a ehiem 186 filter
air pump , heater , and basic lighting

the only fish that is doing great is my red tail black shark (hes not a bully)

what iv lost
first i started off with two chiclids and they just died with in two days
they were babies so i wasn't surprised

two cray fish - one was shy and just died. the other lasted threw two molts and i found him dead today . he had orange on his soft skin . he was super healthy and active

now im stuck with two red tail black fish but i can tell one is on his way out
hes grey , no color , not eating , i can see his heart beat threw his gills .

i got them both at the same time and one has doubled almost tripled his size , i call its a she because shes chunky , black and bright red tail. active and lovely . like i said before they dont bother with each other accept i see them dance every once in a while on a plant but the other is getting to weak


what i feed ( top fin waffers , cobalt (colorflakes)


my questions
* what am i doing wrong?
* is calgary tap water safe as long as its conditioned ?
* my slate has some orange kinda resembles rust stains (will not scrub off)
is that ok?


i can add pictures if you want . i know its alot i wrote but i just wanted to be very clear. this is my first planted aquarium and my first over 30 gallon aquarium .

im trying to get this down so someday i can own a 180+ with a fire eel
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  #2  
Old 02-11-2013, 02:38 AM
molotov molotov is offline
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how long has your tank been running for? I noticed this was your first post. Perhaps you tank has not yet cycled?
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Old 02-11-2013, 02:55 AM
SanguinesDream SanguinesDream is offline
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Pull the slate out of there. It is oxidizing.
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Last edited by SanguinesDream; 02-11-2013 at 03:06 AM.
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Old 02-11-2013, 03:02 AM
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Yup same thing happened in my cichlid tank with some mountain rock I picked up in bc. Pulled it out problem solved
The orange rust coloration is most likely because of a high mineral content most likely iron or alike. Id suggest getting yourself some river rock instead
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Old 02-11-2013, 03:43 AM
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darkreef darkreef is offline
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You may be right , where can I get river rock?
I really like the look of the slate rock .
I have a lot of pieces that don't have rust look could I just pull the rust ones out?
Would I have to do a full 100% water change?
A friend recommended me to this form and I figured this be a opportunity to learn
The tanks been cycled with plants since December.
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Old 02-11-2013, 03:51 AM
monocus monocus is offline
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Default fresh water

have you tried bcaquaria.it's more for fresh water
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Old 02-11-2013, 04:03 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by darkreef View Post
You may be right , where can I get river rock?
I really like the look of the slate rock .
I have a lot of pieces that don't have rust look could I just pull the rust ones out?
Would I have to do a full 100% water change?
A friend recommended me to this form and I figured this be a opportunity to learn
The tanks been cycled with plants since December.
Nothing wrong with posting here. Its mostly reefers but some of us know a thing or two about fresh to.

Id take a hike to a clean river, may have to get your feet wet but pick the Stones you like, personally I like flat pieces. Id pull it all out and forget about it.
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Old 02-11-2013, 05:18 AM
madchild madchild is offline
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Much like in salt water tanks, RODI water is super beneficial for fresh water tanks. I used to use conditioned tap water until I got into reefing, and since switching to RODI water in my fresh water tank my fish have gotten noticeably healthier.
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  #9  
Old 02-11-2013, 05:25 AM
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darkreef darkreef is offline
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Awesome thanks ! All this talk just made me invest in a small ten gallon starter salt water set up. how much would I be looking at for a RODI? and any tips for someone who is going to set up a brand new reef ? I'll be looking at other forms just curious
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  #10  
Old 02-11-2013, 03:49 PM
Caine Caine is offline
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Burnco is a great place for rocks. There is also Ornamental Stone in Calgary. It is low season for them but I'm told that they have much more than is listed on the website.
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