aquarium problem

[child'splay]

I've recently set up a 1 gallon aquarium for my daughter and have run across a problem that no one seems to have any information on: Within 2 weeks of setting up this little thing, in which I had 2 little "neons" and 2 little "guppies", all four fish died (the "neons" within one week). After 3 of the fish had died, I noticed that there was a weird clear jelly-type of slime (in neat little 'piles') on the artificial plant that was in the set-up. I have well-water - which, from what I've been told - is better than the chlorinated city water (that doesn't run out my way, that's how far in the 'sticks' that I am!). I did what the "aquarium book" (that was enclosed with the thing) told me to do, which was to rinse everything off in hot water, no soap. Does anyone have ANY idea what in the heck the stuff is (or should I say - was, because it's on "hold" for right now) and what I should have done to prevent it from forming to begin with, or what should be done in case it should happen again Any information would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
child'splay

 

[lizard]

I've never found an answer for what that white smily stuff is. I've had it in my tank before, too - usually in a tank with only one or two residents and that had a fair bit of uneaten food.

The only fish that can really go in a one-gallon tank is one Betta. Neons need at least ten gallons and are schooling fish, so they like to be in groups of at least five. Guppies should also be kept in tanks that are at least ten gallons. Neons also tend to be rather "fussy" fish. They don't do so well in newly-established tanks; they much prefer a well-established tank. They aren't very hardy, as a general rule.

Your well water should be fine for the fish, at least as far as chlorine goes. The well water at my parents' house has been fine for my sister's fish. The well water at my friend's house isn't good for fish - there must be some metal or other "thing" in it that is hard on the fish, 'cause most of the fish they've kept in that water have died. However, my guess is that the well water wasn't what caused your fish to die. It's more likely that they died from "new tank syndrome" and perhaps from being overcrowded. My suggestion is to do some reading on setting up new tanks and cycling (check the pinned topics in the Beginner's forum). Do some research on the kinds of fish you'd like and the minimum tank size(s) for those fish. If you'd just like to have the one gallon, I'd suggest getting a Betta. If you do frequent (every few days) water changes on the tank, you don't need to cycle it.

If you want to get any other fish, I'd suggest getting a tank that's at least 10 gallons.

Feel free to ask lots more questions (or just a couple more ). We're here to help! The pinned topics in each forum are great sources of information, as are the posts. The search feature is a handy tool

Welcome to TFF!

Pamela
aka Married Lizard

 

[jesssa]

hi

you are overstocked for such a little tank, a single betta would probably be all you could keep in a one gallon. you should upgrade your tank to about a 10 gallon to keep the fish you had, and usually get at least 5 neons for a school.

you should read the sections in here on 'cycling' and setting up the tank before you start again, cause im sure you don't want all of your daughters fish to keep dying!! buy a little test kit to keep on top of the water conditions to maybe get a clue as to what maybe be causing the weird jelly stuff

anyway good luck!! I'm sure more people will respond to this and be of more help than me!