Devastated & In Mourning

It's amazing how such small little creatures can bring such joy. I newly returned to this hobby after many years as a direct suggestion from a wellness coach. I was having some physical issues and rather than a bottle of pills, she suggested I reduce the level of stress in my life. So thus the setup of my Malawi (?) tank where I compd some beautiful frontosa's, pretty bland but hopeful dolphins, two black calvus (OMG so interesting and beautiful) and twin cynotilapias. I've had a month and they were happy as can be. Well low and behold, my 12 yr old little manchild (who has his own TANKSSSSS) took more interest in my beautiful display that he first started stealing my sand. (dealt with it - especially the danger of contaminating my tank by going in it hands on like that too much). Well last night I had to leave for just a few hours and this normally wonderful child did SOMETHING (truth still unknown) to my tank. I come home the once crystal clear water was very milky then I noticed.... OMG not one, not two not even three but all four of my dolphins dead and gone on to be with the Lord along with the preetiest of my cynotilapia's. So much for stress reduction. LIVID and so HURT. The Front's and Calvus and one Cynotilapia survived. I did a 50% water change (cant find the test kit because the seed had it as well - Lord help me) but the water is still cloudy. He swears on his life he only.... added more water for me from a dang bowl. My tank was full of water. I noticed the sand had new lil mountains so God only knows what the heck he did but here's my QUESTION... what's a girl to do? I found some of the test kit but the instructions and how to read is located in anyone's guess. I am so devastated and in mourning. Plus will I ever be able to add more fish since they were all introduced together? Please help!!!

you should beat the living out of him. tell him if he ever touches your tak again your taking his away.

and yes you can add more fish.

I agree with Curtis

Guys, I'm laughing to keep from crying although STEAM is still coming off my top like a red fire truck. I've got the parenting part down - TRUST me (on that one but ... my remaining babies. What can I do. Since only the son and God knows what truly happened, could this coincidental and some sort of bacteria bloom ironically... just at the time his lil disobedient butt messed with my tank? I'm trying to test the dang water but have no test cards to know what the heck should read what. Is the 50% water change enough? too much? when should i change again? I mean these dolphins died QUICK because I was only in a class for a few hours. So whatever happened it hit those babies HARD.

Sorry to hear about your loss. Come back for some more of those Dolphin and i will give you a free one on the house.

I would let everyone know in the house that only you are alloud to add water, food, meds, ect.

take some of your water to petsmart and they will test it for free.

Thanks Guys, I almost forgot about ol faithful petsmart. I'm going to head up there. Also thanks Kory - you're great - awesome as a matte of fact but I think I'm going to wait a bit. I've put off the bigger tank because I personally need a tank (a new car) but I will get it before the summer. When I do I think I want to add something a little more colorful like sunshine peacocks. I also want more calvus. I love my Frontosa's but those lil black calvus are super cool. Plus I heard they color up a lot better in a bigger tank and with darker sand. The stay pretty light for most of the time. Whatever I do, when I get through this grief, I'm heading your way.

I'm sorry for you're lose but I agree with il. Here are my parenting skills I used with my two boys as they were growing up and never had them touch anything before asking first. " I'll ask you once, I'll tell you the second time, but the third time you'd better have you're @$$ moving."

no direct experience as a parent, but lotsa experience raising kids(nephews, nieces, cousins). babies are dogs that eventually learn how to talk. lol so essentially when I stop seeing them as an "It" and are now conscious and respond to verbal commands i then deem them trainable (usually 18months). i used to tell the lil bubbas "Dont move" essentially "stay" for an indefinite period of time, secretly watch them over the fence. and then after a couple of min reward them if they obeyed. Hehe, my sister says im gna make an awesome parent one day

Thanks for all the LOve. My heartbreak deepened because I now have lost my most beautiful black calvus. The water isnt as milky and here at the readings. Temp is about 80.5., Amonio isnt even reading it's so clear (maybe I did something wrong) but it's not even yellow. Nitrate No2 is 0.25 and No3 is lighter than 10 but darker than 5., PH is between 7.0 and 7.6. I know that might be a range but i just got in.. said goodbye to my calvus ...so dang TIE YURD. One thing I noticed is that one of the silk plants seems to have something on the very edges. when i sweep it something is coming off. also the rubber suction for my thermometer seems to be melting or milking something. I could be over looking at stuff but this has got me all messed up. The little manchild is sorely remorseful and swears he put nothing in there. He could only think maybe he didint wash his hands good after the restroom (go figure). Anyway, I'm sure I'll get pass this but if you guys can give me your thoughts on the cause or these readings that would be wonderful. thanks again.

Since my initial discovery of this loss, I've lost a total 10 beautiful fish. (2 black calvus, 2 cynotilapia, 4 dolphins and 2 frontosa). Of a dozen babies who I thought had homed extremely well and were adapting remarkably, I only have 2 fronts standing. It's been about 3 days since the last loss and the water is crystal clear again and everything reads perfect except this loss!!! Sad, Sad, Sad.

Sorry for your loss.