A Sad Story.....

[This Old Spouse]

Well, those readings are about perfect. Sure you don't want to get a few fish to put in there before you go so you can keep it cycled?

 

[Dieses Madchen]

Well, those readings are about perfect. Sure you don't want to get a few fish to put in there before you go so you can keep it cycled?

There are fish in it now. I wasn't completely sure that the fishless cycle was complete. The pH in the established tank skyrocketed and killed some of the fis, so I moved the survivors earlier than I planned to. They are doing good in the new tank and I am monitoring the comditions very closely. There are 9 fish in the 40gallon tank. I was worried that since I moved them earlier than planned that it might mess up the fishless cycle (I have never done a fishless cycle before this new tank) But like I said, the survivors from the tank crashing seem to be doing alot better. It's been 48 hours now in the new tank I think that things are going to be okay. I just didn't want to lose anymore fish. The 40gallon was in a fishless cycle for about 3 weeks before i moved fish in it. And trust me, if there is an ammonia spike I will definatly do a partial water change....I think i may be just a little paranoid right now. Kinda in a weird state after the loss of so many fish.

 

[This Old Spouse]

I'm so glad they're doing well, and so sorry you lost the others. I've been there and it's a terrible feeling. I think you'll be okay now!

 

[Fishy friend2]

Sorry about what happened at least you saved most of the fish

 

[Dieses Madchen]

I'm so glad they're doing well, and so sorry you lost the others. I've been there and it's a terrible feeling. I think you'll be okay now!

Well, I am about to start over in the smaller tank. I'm not going to get discouraged over this incident because I really do like fish. I look at it as a learning experience. I am going to do a fishless cycle on that tank and get it up and going again. I replaced all the rocks to make sure that those ph chemicals do not get back in the tank, and unfortunately I am going to have to start over as far as media because the chemicals may be in the filter media. But I figure I can see the tank with the now established media from my bigger tank I tell you what, after a good cleaning the small tank really shines.

And thank you again everyone for the kind words and the awesome advice. I am keeping a little book with all the little tips and tricks that I have learned through this forum to help me have better tanks for my fish. I've only had a fishtank for about a year (maybe a little less, I dont remember exactly when I started the tank) and I have learned so much from everyone who is experienced at it. Maybe one day I can move on to a saltwater tank, or have tanks with more exotic freshwater I'm not quite ready for that though lol

 

[Amunet]

Baking soda...
I have problems with pH crashing in my 125gal tank.
Baking soda is cheap and bumps up the pH right back to where it should be.
You only have to use a little bit of it though.
For a much smaller tank, add in half a teaspoon at a time. Test after an hour or so. Wash, rinse, repeat until your pH is where it should be.

It can make the water cloudy for a little while (usually lasts for less than a day in my tank), but it's nothing to be worried about unless the pH has been below a 6 for a while. Then you should keep an eye on water perims b/c it could be a mini-cycle.

 

[Dieses Madchen]

Baking soda...
I have problems with pH crashing in my 125gal tank.
Baking soda is cheap and bumps up the pH right back to where it should be.
You only have to use a little bit of it though.
For a much smaller tank, add in half a teaspoon at a time. Test after an hour or so. Wash, rinse, repeat until your pH is where it should be.

It can make the water cloudy for a little while (usually lasts for less than a day in my tank), but it's nothing to be worried about unless the pH has been below a 6 for a while. Then you should keep an eye on water perims b/c it could be a mini-cycle.

doesnt baking soda have a pH over 8? or will the water dilute the pH down by adding only a little

 

[Amunet]

Yep, the water dilutes it which is why you should only add a little at a time, test, add more if need be, etc.

 

[Dieses Madchen]

Yep, the water dilutes it which is why you should only add a little at a time, test, add more if need be, etc.

I will definitely try that. It seems to me that is a lot safer than possibly getting a bad batch of whatever at the LFS Thank you for the advice

 

[Fishy friend2]

so they are doing better? thats good

 

[Dieses Madchen]

so they are doing better? thats good

yes all the fish i was able to get out of the tank alive are doing well. Momma fish has been actin weird all day so I think she may be getting ready to finally pop out her babies. I have been monitoring the water in the new tank and it is holding up and the water conditions are great ( ammonia 0, Nitrites 0, nitrates 20 and ph 7.2) i have cleaned out the other one and getting it cycled again I definatly learned some stuff from this and I am just going to keep on with what I am doing as I enjoy my fish.

 

[XeroTolerance]

I'm glad everything turned out okay ( for the most part).

 

[Fishy friend2]

Tell us when the babies come out!!!!!!

 

[Dieses Madchen]

Tell us when the babies come out!!!!!!

Lol this fishy seems to be like Bonnie from Family Guy heheh She seems to have been preggo forever!

 

[Fishy friend2]