Did I Screw Something Up?

[Toxic Dover]

Hey guys. I recently finished the fish-less cycle on my daughter's 10 gallon tank, following the guide found here. It's taken about a month or so to complete using ammonia. When the ammonia and nitrite was being processed in the time it needed to be, I did the recommended large (about 80%) water change (although it's still slightly cloudy / green from the algae buildup), and went to the LFS. My water paramaters (to me, anyway) seem to be fine. I put 7 neon tetras in the tank two days ago. I get home today and three of them are stuck to the filter intake tube, dead. The others are mostly staying schooled in a corner by the heater. Here's the water parameters I'm working with (I don't have a test kit for kH or gH). I'm using the API Freshwater Master liquid kit.

Tank size: 10 US Gallon
pH: 7.4~
Ammonia: 0 ppm
Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: 20 ppm
kH: -
gH: -
Tank temp: 78 - 80

Fish Symptoms (include full description including lesion, color, location, fish behavior): The fish that remain aren't doing too much swimming around. They seem subdued, keeping together and not doing much swimming away from the corner of the tank.

Volume and Frequency of water changes: Performed roughly 80% change before adding fish

Chemical Additives or Media in your tank: None, other than the tap water conditioner used after the water change (API tap water conditioner)

Tank inhabitants: 7 neon tetras (now 4)

Recent additions to your tank (living or decoration): Nothing new except the tetras, which are the first fish to inhabit the tank following the fish-less cycle.

Exposure to chemicals: None

So... What am I missing? Did I get a bad batch of fish at the store? The tank looked good, and all the fish inside seemed healthy and happy (these neons included). Any help is appreciated. Thanks guys.

 

[CezzaXV]

How did you acclimatise the fish to your tank? Is it possible they got shock?

Neons are known for not being great in new tanks, they prefer a mature tank at least 6 months old, so it could be this.

When you did your water change, you used dechlorinator, yes? (Sorry if it seems silly for me to ask, but you'd be surprised the mistakes even veterans make from time to time)

Those readings you put up there, are they current ones or were they from before you added the fish?

Do you have any other fish in the tank apart from the neons?

 

[Toxic Dover]

How did you acclimatise the fish to your tank? Is it possible they got shock?

Neons are known for not being great in new tanks, they prefer a mature tank at least 6 months old, so it could be this.

When you did your water change, you used dechlorinator, yes? (Sorry if it seems silly for me to ask, but you'd be surprised the mistakes even veterans make from time to time)

Those readings you put up there, are they current ones or were they from before you added the fish?

Do you have any other fish in the tank apart from the neons?

I didn't think about the shock thing... I did the floating bag and over the course of 30 minutes or so added some of the aquarium water to the bag before netting them out. Maybe I did it too quick or didn't acclimate them to the water enough? I did use a dechlorinator (this is the same thing as tap water conditioner, correct?). The readings were taken as I was posting the message here. And no, I don't have any other fish in the tank right now.

 

[fluttermoth]

I don't think you've done anything wrong; as Cezza says, neons are notoriously sensitive in new tanks, even if they've been properly cycled.

 

[Toxic Dover]

I don't think you've done anything wrong; as Cezza says, neons are notoriously sensitive in new tanks, even if they've been properly cycled.

Okay... Good to know for future reference. I've had tanks in the past (I had no idea about the cycling process, however) and generally they've all had Neons put in from the get go and they've done fairly well. Live and learn, I suppose. Anything I can do to make the situation better for the remaining ones?

 

[watertown28]

ehhh....your Neons like it that warm? Granted mine are in the tank at 78 but they seem to ( at least mine ) get all happy around 72 ish. Its just the summer now and for some reason the tank gets supper warm for them.
IMO, I would sit on the remaining 4 and let em live there for a while . Maybe they just need to adapt.

 

[henriko]

wow !!!!,after reading your post,it felt really wierd ,cos i bought 12 neons for my tank and 8 have died,dont know the consequences but iv now got 4 left,which were all in the corner of the tank,eventually after about a week or so they started roaming around the tank,that was about 6 months ago,those 4 are still alive and well,6 months later,so if i were you i wouldnt worry about the 4 you have left

 

[gforce17]

I think everyone has said it all. I have come to realise that neons aren't the best choice for a new tank. I lost loads at a the beginning but since the tank has matured they've survived well and looking good. Keep in there!