so i just bought a new 20 gal tank
added sand let it cycle for a week, and i put my existing driftwood in my old tank to let the beneficial bacteria bloom


today i changed the of the 20 gal water albeit abit roughly since i has washed the sand the week before.

sand cloud appeared but i thought it was just sand cloud
so i added my fishes inside.

3 cardinal tetras started swimming strangely, so i moved all my fishes back to the original tank

all 3 died within hours today, red gills, bleeding internal?

- what went wrong? ammonia spike up from undisturbed sand below ?
- my german blue ram mostly dwelled at the bottom of the new tank seemingly ok and active. he’s still active and ok now
- my guppies were mostly swimming on top at the new tank

- what can i do to my 20 gal tank now? when can i move new fishes inside

Why ask in a forum instead of calling a specialist?

This post was edited by DiMETHYLTRYPTAMiNE on Jan 25 2020 05:34am

This is a right forum to ask that too.
There are fishers around the forum be a littel patient i am sure that will have answer.

You really helped a lot, thank you for your insightful reply!

When ever you cycle a new tank, always check the parameters before you add fish. Something was off.



How did you cycle the tank? Just adding sand will not do it
https://aquariuminfo.org/cycling.html

i added fish food and let it decompose for about a week

Time is not a factor in cycling a tank. The water parameters are what matter.


When I set up a new tank I always add API quick start to the tank. I have never had any issues

thanks i will need to buy this then
any other recommendations?

any test kit that you could recommend ?

If there is a local fish store close to your house, just take them some water from the tank


Most places will test it for you.

This is what I do. A basic ammonia and nitrate tester if they will not do it for you.


Remember., the smaller the tank the easier it is for the parameters to get messed up.

Finally he got the help that he needed this is the important, but help how you offered he would got anything.

bye gl.