Dying Fish

[linda1503]

I have a 2ft tank with 4 platys 1 red tail shark 1 sucking loach and 1 cat fish. I introduced 4 guppies but all died within a matter of days, they were ok when I turned off the light but next morning I'd find one dead. The same thing is happening when I introduced 6 neons to my tank, they are now starting to die at night when the tank light is turned off. All my other fish are fine. Any ideas? Also can someone tell me which is the best filter system to use for a small tank (mine is a eheim professional) and whether plastic or real plants are best? I was given the tank so didn't get to choose my own systems to run it.

 

[WILDER]

How long has the tank been set up, do you have water stats in ammonia,nitrite,nitrate,and ph, are they gasping at the surface.

 

[linda1503]

the tank has been set up for nearly 5 weeks. According to my son, who has checked a few times, the water is fine, all levels normal. I'm not sure what the levels are suppose to be yet, he is going to teach me all about it this weekend.

 

[WILDER]

The red tailed shark needs to be in a 40gal tank, and they are aggressive fish,could be the shark, did you use the fish to cycle the tank, plus what is the ph of the store to your tank ph, and how long are you climatising the fish for.

 

[WILDER]

http/www.aquahobby.com/gallery/e_bicolor.php

 

[linda1503]

I think that I have a lot of reading up to do on modern day fish keeping. I had a 4ft tank many years ago and had no problems, I never checked the water for all the things that you have to do these days, was never told that I had to by any of the fish stores I frequented. I guess that I was just very lucky. I have always kept a red tailed shark and have never had any aggression problems with them. I think that my best bet is to not buy anymore fish till I have learnt everthing that I can. Thanks for your help, one other thing, is my eheim professional filter ok for a 2ft tank? does it put enough 'air' into the water? because I've always used an underground filter and air pump before.​

 

[WILDER]

How many gallons or litres is the filter for, is that a 20gal tank you have.

Can only find these filters
http/www.aquatics-online.co.uk/searchres...ssional+filters

 

[linda1503]

Yes I think it is a 20 gal tank, I must admit that I don't know anything about the filter other than Its a huge great big thing My son set it all up for me and the filter takes up all the underneath cupboard space! I don't suppose this tells you much. I do know that tomorrow I am going to see about getting another larger tank (and a book about keeping fish). One other thing is that if any of the fish go too near the filter output they get thrown to the other side of the tank!! My cat fish especially enjoys doing this!!

 

[LYNDYLOO]

Hi Loach,

Yes I would have to agree on not getting anymore fishies at the mo,leave the tank to settle for a wee while, dont always trust the people in the pet shops, remember they are there to make money, I have kept Red Tailed Sharks in my tanks for years, never had a problem with them. I would advise that you invest in a Water Test Kit, readings should be:

Ammonia 0
Nirites 0
Nitrates 40 or less
PH round the 7 mark

Good Luck
Lynda

 

[WILDER]

I would use the filter you now have for a bigger tank, as it sounds far to powerful for a 20gal tank and if it's blowing the fish about the current is to strong, i think though it sounds a good filter but not for your tank, can you turn the flow down while you get another filter.
All you need is a fluval 2 or 3 or a eheim aquaball.
If you are getting a tank soon maybe you could add the red tail shark, but the fish in the tank at the present might not be safe from him.

http/www.aquatics-online.co.uk/listsecti...&retp=8&rets=15

http/www.aquatics-online.co.uk/bigpics/fluvalplus.htm

 

[linda1503]

Hi Lyndyloo
What a great site this is!! Everyone is happy to give advice. You're right, I'm not getting anymore fish till my tank settles down. I hate to see my fish die. Also I'm really enjoying fish keeping again after all these years so I'm thinking of getting another larger tank and don't want to have too many fish to transfer over.

 

[WILDER]

Alot of info here.
http/www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/sitemap.htm

 

[linda1503]

I really don't know if it can be turned down, I'll have a look tomorrow when its daylight. I'll get a bigger tank as soon as poss and use this filter for that because I must admit its lovely and quiet. I thought it looked huge when my son brought it from his house, he said it should be ok but then he had it on a 4ft tank. It must be like a 'white knuckle ride' for my poor fish!!

 

[WILDER]

Good luck.

 

[thefishykid]

if the filter is so strong that it pushes the fish across the tank try to aim it to the back of the tank as this makes the water in the middle stays calm so that the fish can rest there. and one of your questions live plants are better for your tank as these give of oxygen