new filter....utter heartbreak

[Lamby]

just bought a new canister filter off ebay. Aqua Nova. came with no instructions, just what was on the box....ie badly translated.  the seller told me it was ready to hook up to the aquarium and run.  i rinsed the parts out first tho as a precaution.

installed it and within 24 hours i'd lost my 2 most beautiful fish and the others won't take food and look really bad.

the ceramic rings were unglazed and broke up if you rubbed them hard.  i don't know if that was it or what but i've taken them out.  still the water is cloudy and won't clear.

total heart break for my kids who had named the fish and loved them

any ideas what it might have been? maybe it was dodgy filter wool?? i don't know and don't know what to do from here.  i fear i stand to lose the rest of them

please help with any ideas?

Col

[davo0903]

I cant say I know the brand, but my first suggestion would be to get all new media. Don't skimp on the $ either. It makes such a huge difference.

As to why it happened so quickly, I don't know. Unless there was some chemical in the media which wasn't supposed to be there.

Sorry I'm not more help.

Well first thing first do you still have a filter on the tank, i mean an older established one? If you do leave it on there disconnect the new filter, and do a 40% water change with a conditioner. ad some stress coat or zyme if you have it.

What type of fish are they?
Are they gasping?
Is there anything else you added to the tank?
Whats the PH?
Whats the Ammonia/Nitrite/Nitrate levels like?

Answer as many as you can, I understand you might not have all the testkits.

Guessing they might be africans (dont hold me to that) i would also do another 30% water chance in the morning, Whatever it is you have in there that is killing the fish you want it out.

[here fishie fishie]

I suggest getting your water tested first before blaming the filter. Just in case you never know.

Frenchy :D

I thought that aswell, But doesnt sound normal for a filter to cloud the water.

But you get what you pay for unfortunatly.

[Cichlidkeeper]

Mate whatever was filtering the tank before you got the cannister should still be running on the tank. It will take a month before you can remove your established filtration. I hope you dont lose anymore but I would suggest the cloudiness of the water would be a powder from the ceramic rings, not harmful to fish on its own. Good luck with it but my advice would be to get all avail cycled filters on the tank until things stabilize again.

[Lamby]

thanks everyone for your help.  yes they are africans and i'm doing all i can.