Bought A Second And Tank With Fish

[witter]

Hello everyone

I'm looking for some advice. I bought a tank and fish ect off someone (thought it would be easier than buying new) when she dropped it off the fish was in a bucket of water and the tank was empty just heater and filter inside.
So we filled the tank with water put the heater and pump on for an hour and put the fish back in, since then it kept going cloudy so we would change the water every couple of days but it just kept going back the same.
Last Friday we went to the fish shop and explained this and we was told only change no more than 10% of the water a week and before putting more water in we have to leave it 24 hours first.
But he said we shouldn't of put fish in for 10 days but we would have to buy aquasafe and he told us to go home and put the whole 100ml of aquasafe in the tank and then some filter start and leave it and told us not to feed the fish for 7 days.
We have done this and its still the same it will be 7 days today and nothing has changed in the coulor of the water or anything. We can't even see the fish now.
Does this sound right? i dont know what to do or anything please help
thanks in advance

 

[KittyKat]

Firstly, you've just killed off most of the filter bacteria by using chlorinated water (which is no good for fish). So, now go read about fish-in cycling because it is the situation you are in: http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/224306-fish-in-cycling/

If you can, get a media donation from someone and add it to the filter: http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/150631-list-of-members-willing-to-donate-mature-filter-media-to-newbies/

Sounds like bacteria bloom, it will pass with time.

What are your ammonia and nitrite readings? Get a liquid test kit, it will be your friend.

You are now officially a water changing machine.. always use warm, dechlorinated water. Start at 50% now, continue depending on your water quality. I think your ammonia and nitrite are over 0.25 ppm, which will harm the fish. Both of these can be reduced by water changes. Water changes with warm, dechlorinated water will not harm the fish or filter.

Your LFS dude is not an idiot, for a change, listen to what he says, he seems knowledgable.. but he still wants your cash: "bacteria in a bottle" (filter start) rarely do anything.

 

[witter]

thanks for the advice i have just decided to empty the tank put the fish in a large bucket and start fresh as the fish are dying and we can't even see them the water is that bad, and the fish are eating the dead one soon as they die.
so far since being advised off the pet shop we've lost 9 fish so i think it would be better doing the cycle without the fish inside.
i wish i would of started with a smaller tank now just to get used to the whole thing but i'm gonna have to be a quick learner. x

 

[KittyKat]

No! Don't put the fish in a bucket! The ammonia will only be more concentrated in that! The only way you can go for a fish-less cycle is to return the fish to the shop, but you're in the deep end

I recommend that unless you can find a different home for the fish, you start doing daily or bi-daily 90-95% water changes with warm, dechlorinated water, until the ammonia and nitrite are low again. Then buy a liquid test kits for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH and go from there. Undemanding stem plants will also ease the ammonia, so might be worth getting 5-10 bunches of various easy Hygrophilas.

Ok, start by telling us the size of the tank (dimensions and volume) and what fish you have (including numbers).

 

[witter]

hiya thank you for your advice we are part way though the water change we've got another bottle of aquasafe ready for the water. the tank is 3ft by 2ft we've got a male fighter fish, a molly, 2 neons, a plec, 4 small white fish dont knw the name for them and the rest have died. x

the pet shop guy also said to take some water down to be tested after 7 days which is 3 pound a time. is it easier to buy my own tests?

 

[KittyKat]

You can buy your own liquid test kit online for about 25 pounds, yes, it is well worth getting your own. I use API master freshwater kit, but some people have trouble getting accurate readings with these, so Salifert might be better.

Next time you run out of dechlorinator (AquaSafe), buy one which deals with ammonia, such as Stress Coat or Prime.. get the biggest bottle you can, because you should be doing 90-95% daily water changes at least until your test kit arrives.

 

[witter]

ok i'll have a look online now and order 1 today thank you so much

 

[colleen0309]

Sorry you are having trouble. The above advice is good. You are going to be doing lots of water changes. Definately get a liquid test kit and order a big bottle of Prime while your at it. Prime will detoxify the ammonia and nitrite for 24 hours. This will help save your remaining fish. Don't skip water changes at this point. Every day...90-95%. Make sure to use the prime when you do a water change. It removes chlorine from the water. If you don't use it, you will just kill the bacteria you are trying to grow in your filter, not to mention the fish.

 

[Mowbz]

the pet shop guy also said to take some water down to be tested after 7 days which is 3 pound a time. is it easier to buy my own tests?

@ £3 a test, you would have paid out £21 for just a weeks worth of test whether doing a fish in or a fishless cycle. API Master kits can be found for £18-25 on eBay.