chief773

Hi All, I'm new to the forum and have searched but have not seen anything like the issue I just experienced.
I've had my gallon up and running great for about 4 months (it was a transfer from 2 smaller tanks that were up for close to a year).
A few weeks ago I decided to start live plants in it, Saturday I bought a Red Sea CO2 BioSystem. I followed the directions to the word, by monday, there was little to no bubbling from the CO2, I shook the container a little, this produced some bubbles for a while and then it stopped agian.
On Tuesday, after getting home from work, the tank was extremely cloudy, and almost all my bottom feeders were dead, 3 loaches, a pleco and a cory, all the other fish (Gauramis, Tetras and Danios) appeared to be ok and still are.
I tested the water, PH level was way down and ammonia measured at about 2 (maybe caused from the dead fish??).
I did close to a 50% water change, no other deaths this morning (Weds). I'm gonna do another water chagne tomorrow and change the filter media.
Does anyone have any ideas on what may have happened here? Before the CO2 system was set up, this tank was doing great. I've since disconnected it and not sure if i'm gonna try it again.

susitna-flower

HI CHIEF, WELCOME TO FISHLORE!

I am not a planted tank expert, just bumping this to say hi, and I hope someone with lots of co2 experience can help....Sorry for your loss.

King_Snuggles

the ammonia is what my guess to what killed your fish. I have heard that to much added CO2 can cause a spike or drop i dont remember which of the PH and such a fast spike can kill fish. hope someone else helps.