Hey guys, I made a mistake recently with my aro and stingray, and I think my aro may be sick because of it. I had the aro and stingray in a 72 bow as infants (I know, way too small). Two weeks ago, when the ray got to about 12" and the aro got to about 14", I moved them into a 90 gallon tank which I already had. I am waiting till I get enough cash to buy a 265 to move them to (at which point I want to get some more rays). Anyways, before I switched them, there was an assortment of fish in the 90 - which is filtered by two emperor 400's with matrix rocks in the extra media container. I moved those fish into the 72. The ammonia and nitrites of both tanks was always at 0, and I assumed that the bio-load of the fish that were in the 90 was about the same as the aro and ray, so if I took all those fish out and put the ray and aro in, the tank would be able to support them. I was wrong, and now the tank registers trace amounts of ammonia and nitrites every 3 or 4 days, at which time I change the water (about 40 gallons), and the levels go back to 0. I guess the bio-load of the ray and aro is too much for the filters to handle, and they need to cycle a bit to be able to support them. I am planning on changing the water every 3 or 4 days for another month, at which time hopefully the filters will grow enough bacteria to support the bio-load. I know the tank is too small to sustain them in the long run, but I think its alright in size for now, at least until they grow a little bigger, probably in about a year, at which time I will move them to a 265. Anyways, now my aro wont eat, and two days in a row I found this odd orange stuff floating around the tank which looks like some sort of vomit. Anyone have any ideas as to whats wrong with him? Anyone have any suggestions as to what I should do (besides frequent water changes to keep the ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates down)?

Also, I dont think so, but could it just be that the aro ate way too much the other day and doesnt feel well after? Far fetched I think, but my brother thinks thats the case, because he fed them and said the aro ate way more (prawns)than normal and has looked funny every since. I think he didnt defrost the food and it probably floated on the top and the aro at his and the rays share. Doubt thats the case, doesnt sound right to me, but anyone know for sure?

Also, I think I might buy a sump to add to the tank - maybe on big enough for a 265 so that I can just move the filtration over when I get it. What do you think?

I think the Aro isn't hungry right now. Sometimes, when i feed my silver aro 3 ou 4 times a day, next day she won't eat...

probably it is just stressed up by the moving. let it settle down for afew days and try feeding it again.

I dont think its stressed from the moving, because it ate every day for about a week after the move, and only stopped eating after that. Its been two days now. If he doesnt eat for two more Ill post back here.

Since he ate shortly after the move it doesn't sound like it's stress from the move. It may be high ammonia or nitrites? Have you tested them recently? I wouldn't think that low ammonia or nitrites would affect the aro as long as it wasn't for a long period of time.. How is the ray? I would go ahead keep up with water changes and treat that water with prime to help with ammonia and nitrites.

How is the ray??

I don't know about the orange stuff you've found in the tank, but my Silver went on a hunger strike after I moved him to a new tank. It would have been close on three weeks before I could get him to eat anything, and around 4 months before he was eating on a regular basis again. He is currently around 16". I wouldn't worry too much about the not eating, they seem to be able to go without food for a good long period of time if necessary.

Thanks guys. The ray is fine, shes happy and eating normally. I wont worry too much unless other symptoms show up, and Ill keep up the frequent water changes. Ill post back to let you know how it goes.