Fish Dying

[dazza2123]

I had some type of mollies 2 of them. I didnt know what type unfortunetly.

I went in tonight he4 was under a small rock facing the gravel.

He didnt look to goo so i watched him for about 10 minutes. When he finally came out it wouldnt swim or eat.

Anyway when i came in this morning my guppy done the same.

Everything was iok except nitrates at 6.0ppm.

Going to change the water tonight.

I think the tank is 50l. Beeen set up for about 5 weeks.

Just recntly cleaned the filter sponges.

GIve them a quick rince/sqeeze in the water i was taking out of the tank

Have i done anything wrong??

Thanks

Dazza

 

[mark.w.jones]

Need to know a little bit more please:

1. Are you sure you got a reading of 6ppm for nitrate? Nitrate is fine up to 30ppm but most test kits don't test as low as 6ppm. Are you doing the test correctly and what sort of test is it. If it is the paper strips I would advise against them as they are notoriously unreliable. Get a liquid master test kit of some description. Aquarium Pharmaceuticals do an API Master test kit with liquid tests as do hagen and fluval. This gives more accurate readings for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate and pH which we will need to help you further.

2. How did you cycle your tank in preparation for your fish?

3. How long was tank set up before adding your fish?

4. What temperature is the tank running at?

5. You are also keeping fish which prefer the safety of a lager group in groups that are too small. They are bound to feel a little stressed until you get a few more of them. Guppies should be kept in groups of 5 minimum preferably an all female or all male group unless you want to be overrun with fry. However, you shouldn't just buy a load more to bump up the group size as you will cause an ammonia or nitrite spike. Buy 2 fish every 2 weeks as long as your water stats are OK ie. 0ppm ammonia, 0ppm nitrite, <30ppm nitrite, this will be a slow enough stocking speed to avoid more problems.

6. What sort of decor have you got? Fish feel far more secure with a dark backing paper on the back of the tank and with plenty of wood and plants to hide in.

 

[dazza2123]

Need to know a little bit more please:

1. Are you sure you got a reading of 6ppm for nitrate? Nitrate is fine up to 30ppm but most test kits don't test as low as 6ppm. Are you doing the test correctly and what sort of test is it. If it is the paper strips I would advise against them as they are notoriously unreliable. Get a liquid master test kit of some description. Aquarium Pharmaceuticals do an API Master test kit with liquid tests as do hagen and fluval. This gives more accurate readings for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate and pH which we will need to help you further.

2. How did you cycle your tank in preparation for your fish?

3. How long was tank set up before adding your fish?

4. What temperature is the tank running at?

5. You are also keeping fish which prefer the safety of a lager group in groups that are too small. They are bound to feel a little stressed until you get a few more of them. Guppies should be kept in groups of 5 minimum preferably an all female or all male group unless you want to be overrun with fry. However, you shouldn't just buy a load more to bump up the group size as you will cause an ammonia or nitrite spike. Buy 2 fish every 2 weeks as long as your water stats are OK ie. 0ppm ammonia, 0ppm nitrite, <30ppm nitrite, this will be a slow enough stocking speed to avoid more problems.

6. What sort of decor have you got? Fish feel far more secure with a dark backing paper on the back of the tank and with plenty of wood and plants to hide in.

Hi Mate.

I done a fish in cycle.

I have more guppies now btw. Ill update my profile.

I have got it tested at the LFS. He done it infront of me with a masters kit & showed me the results. I am in the process of getting a flat so funds are slim. Am going to get my own soon.

I have 3 real plants and some rocks with fake plants on them with a cave for fish to hide in.

I have done a fish in cycle and has been fine results & tests since.

The back of the tank has a blue wall up aginst it nor dark or light. The tank is at roughly 25degrees.

Tank been set up since about 15 of march.

I thibnk thats everything you need.

Thanks

I did have slightly cloudy water 2 days before but this was cos id been out 24hrs &the filer needed cleaning

Cheers.

 

[dazza2123]

Please help MY POOR fishies

 

[rabbut]

Can you remember the exact test results? we need number to verify the advise of the shop, as most will tell you the water is OK when it isn't. Are you shure there is no bullying going on? Anything else unusual, other than the sulkingness.

All the best
Rabbut

 

[dazza2123]

Hi erm he showed me the results.

Ammonia 0ppm
Nitrite 0ppm
Nitrate i think he said was 6-10ppm
My PH was 6.8 but its 7.2 out the tap so i done a 20% water change to increase this.

Thanks for all ppls help