librarygirl
Fish Fanatic
- Joined
- Apr 17, 2011
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Hi!
I'm very new to fishkeeping. Here's my story so far:
On March ~25, I set up a 5 gallon hex tank; treated water with Prime, has a filter, heater, bio wheel, substrate, light, fake plants and decoration. I let the tank sit for a week but didn't put food in there (didn't know I had to do this, PetSmart just said to set it up and let it run for 1 week)
On April 1, I went to Petsmart, had the water tested, they said all parameters were fine. Bought 3 GloFish which they said were hardy fish. One of the fish was chasing the others quite a lot, one began hiding more.
After a few days I did a water change (about 50% which I know now was probably too much), also the gravel cleaner I got was too complicated (had to shake it to get it to work which I couldn't) so I was rather clumsy in changing the water, lots of sloshing and movement.
The next morning one GloFish was dead (the one that was picked on the most and probably overly stressed)
I took it back to PetSmart and asked for advice. They suggested I get 2 more to even out the numbers, which I did. I had them test the water again then and again they said all levels were fine.
So my original fish have been in there for 2 weeks, the newer ones for 1 week. Four fish total.
All eating well, swimming well.
Purchaed a better siphon vacuum and water changes are less clumsy and more efficient now. Been doing small water changes daily. I also just purchased the API test kit, tested twice so far, most recent was last night. Nitrates/Nitrites both zero, ph was 7.6 on Friday, 6.4-7.2 yesterday (did two water changes yesterday which might be why, more on that below), ammonia holding at 0.25.
So yesterday morning when feeding I noticed one of my fish (been there for 2 weeks) opening and closing her (?) mouth rapidly constantly, doesn't stop. I thought she was chewing but she kept doing it even after they all ate. She eats well, swims around, does sometimes go to the top and skims her ahead along the water, but doesn't seem to be distressed other than the opening/closing all the time. The other fish don't do this constantly like she does. I'm not sure if she's always done this and I just haven't noticed or if this is new behavior. I got nervous yesterday morning when I noticed it, so did a 20% water change. Last night she was still doing it, and after noticing the ammonia still a bit up I got nervous again and did a larger water change (about 30-40%).
I've since read that some ammonia is normal for the cycling to occur, so I'm wondering if at this point i'm changing the water too frequently. But if the water quality isn't what's making her open/closing her mouth, I'm not sure what else it could be.
ALso if 0.25 is "normal" for cycling, then how often should I change the water? SHould it be every day as a rule until the tank cycles (and how would I know) or should I only change it if the ammonia goes up or if the other levels change? Also every time I change the water I use Prime....is this the best thing to use? SHould I be using somethng else? Am I using it too much?
And any thoughts on my fish with the mouth issue?
Thanks for taking the time to respond to a newbie. I just want to do this right and not lose any more fish
Thanks!
I'm very new to fishkeeping. Here's my story so far:
On March ~25, I set up a 5 gallon hex tank; treated water with Prime, has a filter, heater, bio wheel, substrate, light, fake plants and decoration. I let the tank sit for a week but didn't put food in there (didn't know I had to do this, PetSmart just said to set it up and let it run for 1 week)
On April 1, I went to Petsmart, had the water tested, they said all parameters were fine. Bought 3 GloFish which they said were hardy fish. One of the fish was chasing the others quite a lot, one began hiding more.
After a few days I did a water change (about 50% which I know now was probably too much), also the gravel cleaner I got was too complicated (had to shake it to get it to work which I couldn't) so I was rather clumsy in changing the water, lots of sloshing and movement.
The next morning one GloFish was dead (the one that was picked on the most and probably overly stressed)
I took it back to PetSmart and asked for advice. They suggested I get 2 more to even out the numbers, which I did. I had them test the water again then and again they said all levels were fine.
So my original fish have been in there for 2 weeks, the newer ones for 1 week. Four fish total.
All eating well, swimming well.
Purchaed a better siphon vacuum and water changes are less clumsy and more efficient now. Been doing small water changes daily. I also just purchased the API test kit, tested twice so far, most recent was last night. Nitrates/Nitrites both zero, ph was 7.6 on Friday, 6.4-7.2 yesterday (did two water changes yesterday which might be why, more on that below), ammonia holding at 0.25.
So yesterday morning when feeding I noticed one of my fish (been there for 2 weeks) opening and closing her (?) mouth rapidly constantly, doesn't stop. I thought she was chewing but she kept doing it even after they all ate. She eats well, swims around, does sometimes go to the top and skims her ahead along the water, but doesn't seem to be distressed other than the opening/closing all the time. The other fish don't do this constantly like she does. I'm not sure if she's always done this and I just haven't noticed or if this is new behavior. I got nervous yesterday morning when I noticed it, so did a 20% water change. Last night she was still doing it, and after noticing the ammonia still a bit up I got nervous again and did a larger water change (about 30-40%).
I've since read that some ammonia is normal for the cycling to occur, so I'm wondering if at this point i'm changing the water too frequently. But if the water quality isn't what's making her open/closing her mouth, I'm not sure what else it could be.
ALso if 0.25 is "normal" for cycling, then how often should I change the water? SHould it be every day as a rule until the tank cycles (and how would I know) or should I only change it if the ammonia goes up or if the other levels change? Also every time I change the water I use Prime....is this the best thing to use? SHould I be using somethng else? Am I using it too much?
And any thoughts on my fish with the mouth issue?
Thanks for taking the time to respond to a newbie. I just want to do this right and not lose any more fish
Thanks!