sad day :(

[dolphex_tang]

Bro, I'm sorry to hear about your losses... Hope this incident will not stop you and keep the passion going...

[anse|m]

Just to share my two cents bro. Initially you had 12 rams in a 4 footer with aged water of two weeks. You did not mention about filtration or amount of media used, if you don't mind can you share it so the bros here can have a better picture of what actually happened?

With the limited info that was given, these are just some feedback.

Firstly, 12 rams might not be sufficient to establish the bacteria colony in your tank within two weeks. Perhaps you can research on the different methods to generate the nitrogen cycle (fishless -> recommended). The sudden bioload of 18 pcs of plecos might be alittle too hard for your tank to handle.

Next, did you adopt proper acclimatisation methods for the plecos? Adding of salt and blackwater will increase salinity and decrease pH of your tank and the water conditions you have might not be the same as the one housing the plecos previously.

It's a pain to lose so many lifestock within a night and many pleco-lovers alike, would love to see fellow hobbyists exercise responsibility in doing their research before keeping them.

[^Lee^]

Sad to hear this bro, take it easy.

Yes, salt is NO NO for pleco.

[titan power]

hi there

salt could be one of the contributing factor, however there should be other factor resulting in all death overnight,

PH crash?

dun be dishearten, learn from it and you will do just fine

[Exotic_chew]

Ts perhaps u wanna share how you introduce them into the tank and also did you notice any unusual behaviour after you introduce them into the tank?

Sorry for your loss,a tough lesson to learn from. Like many experience bros here,every pleco loss is a good learning lesson for everyone, don't brood over it and hope to see you back in this hobby soon

[gavin]

I do add salt in my comm tank with L81 inside and no issue..

I suspect is the PH.. U may check your PH.

When u buy new fish..
1) put whole bag in the tank to let the fishes in the bag to get use to your water temp.
2) Slowly add in your tank water into the bag to let the fishes in the bag to get use of your tank water.
3) Slowly let the fish swim out from the bag.

Originally Posted by maxxie

just started pleco project , sun just bought 11pc L18 n 7pc lower xingu 4 my 4ft tank tis morning saw all die in my tank .. wonder why ? tank water is age water n there ram inside..oni all pleco die ...sad day .....
( wonder is pleco hard to keep )

brother i think you just throw your fish in the tank. never use drip method. maybe they get shock. and die, i keep the xingu for so long i even sad that the xingu die. maybe you should check ph and temp in first place or your tank, and mix water slowly to your tank.

eg mix abit of your water every 10min in the new tub or plastic when you first get the fish. then take a net catch then slowly release them in your tank. hope this help next time.

remember to acclimate your fish to your aquarium to be safe.

http://www.ehow.com/how_5330374_accl...-pet-fish.html

hope this help

[riansg]

Originally Posted by gavin

I do add salt in my comm tank with L81 inside and no issue..

I suspect is the PH.. U may check your PH.

When u buy new fish..
1) put whole bag in the tank to let the fishes in the bag to get use to your water temp.
2) Slowly add in your tank water into the bag to let the fishes in the bag to get use of your tank water.
3) Slowly let the fish swim out from the bag.

I think this should be the case unless TS says other wise.

another way is to scoop tank water out and add a bit at a time to the new fish bag which i will place in a deep enough basin.

PH shock is something i have learnt through painful experience...