ID My Substrate

[Merduka]

Hi all,

I bought from Colourful West Coast.

but am not sure what it is as this is my 3rd round doing re cycling and all my fishes died.

Please help ID or should I change it.

Regards
Kenneth

[sungod666]

looks more like filter media to me. seems like bio-balls or substrat pro

[Shadow]

not sure what substrate is that. What is written on the packaging? How long did you cycle per round?

[stormhawk]

That is some "soil" type substrate similar to the ADA Aquasoil range. I've seen similar or probably the same thing at C328. While you might initially suspect the substrate to be the cause, I believe it is due to that colored ornament or bridge I see in the picture. Some of these items are not painted with aquarium safe paint, or not coated for added protection against the paint leaching into the water column, which can be deadly for your fish. These products can also be made with plastic resins that might not be safe for aquarium use.

If I was you, I'd remove the bridge thing and redo everything. Drain out all the water, refill, dechlorinate, add some biological starter, and let it cycle for about 2 weeks, or a month if you feel afraid. Get some test kits, watch the water quality. Once everything is in good health, add your fish, slowly.

Though there are many unanswered questions like these:

1) Size of tank
2) How long was the cycling period
3) What fish species was affected
4) Size of the fishes involved (species more important)
5) No. of fishes
6) Water parameters prior and after the fishes died
7) What plants or other "deco" in the tank

Until you answer these, it would be difficult to pinpoint the cause of death. The LFS would not sell you a soil that would cause deaths in your fish, unless they are dishonest. In any case, it is the duty of the hobbyist to do his/her own research, before buying a type of substrate or piece of equipment or livestock even.