within the past 3 weeks or so I stocked a 125 (26 juvie and sub-adult cichlids + 5 syno's), pulling the eheim 2217 I've had running for close to 10 years off the 75 that held my 5 remaining cichlids from years ago.
Last weekend I added a second brand new 2217. I seeded the new filter's bio-media using the "pre-filter" I have on my old canister (half the coarse filter from an aquaclear 500 - the big ac filter) I also switched pre-filters putting the new pre-filter on the old filter, and the established pre-filter on the new filter.
In the process of switching things up, I moved the existing filter to the opposite end of the tank, where I plugged it into the wrong powerstrip. It's on the one that controls the lights, so for the past couple of days every time I turned off the lights I turned off my primary bio-filter. It remained off for periods between 4 and 12 hours periodically for the past few days.
Have I killed the bacteria? I am buying a test kit today to monitor the water. Two of my new peacocks are dead this morning - a ngara and ruby red, and I see a bit of ich on a couple others, and several lethargic fish.
Any advice or info would be appreciated.
Last weekend I added a second brand new 2217. I seeded the new filter's bio-media using the "pre-filter" I have on my old canister (half the coarse filter from an aquaclear 500 - the big ac filter) I also switched pre-filters putting the new pre-filter on the old filter, and the established pre-filter on the new filter.
In the process of switching things up, I moved the existing filter to the opposite end of the tank, where I plugged it into the wrong powerstrip. It's on the one that controls the lights, so for the past couple of days every time I turned off the lights I turned off my primary bio-filter. It remained off for periods between 4 and 12 hours periodically for the past few days.
Have I killed the bacteria? I am buying a test kit today to monitor the water. Two of my new peacocks are dead this morning - a ngara and ruby red, and I see a bit of ich on a couple others, and several lethargic fish.
Any advice or info would be appreciated.