Grrrrrrr

[sk_haider]

OKAY!!!

As you may have read I am recovering for having WAY to many fish in my tank when having just started it. After losing most of my fish the water started to become VERY cloudy, stink and foam. After doing research online I found that I need to do daily water changes. I have been doing the changes (25%) for about 4 days now. The results are, it has cleared up but it still stinks and has some foam towards the back of the tank around where the water from the filter falls. I have cut WAY back on feeding them (I also added salt.)

I have live plants and they are starting to get dark leaves and just don't look healthy.

I have ordered a better filteration system (Bio-Wheel).

So here is what I was thinking i might do?!

Keep changing the water until it ALL clears up but in the mean time remove most of the gravel I have SLOWLY as to not disturb whatever good MIGHT be in my tank. My thought on that is if I remove the gravel I'll be able to clean the water better to rid the tank of feces and other junk. I'm a beginner at this and I love doing it but I can't seem to get it right. I read that if you are a beginner you shouldn't have a lot of gravel as it is cosmetic and only have 1/4 inch.

Or maybe I'm a danger to my poor fish and should be banned from ever having them again?!


What do you guys think?

 

[WILDER]

Need info on tank size in gallons or litres, plus how many fish and which type, and water stats in ammonia,nitrite,nitrate,and ph, how long has the tank been set up.

 

[catxx]

personally, i'd gut and start over, it's easier than trying to fix a big mess!

what fish do you still have in there?
how big is the tank?

 

[bogwood]

Tropical fish?... why add salt? Have you 'cycled' the tank? If so, you may want to keep the existing gravel as it will contain some 'beneficial' bacteria... if not, this bacteria will be in your filter media (if you 'cycled')...

 

[sk_haider]

Need info on tank size in gallons or litres, plus how many fish and which type, and water stats in ammonia,nitrite,nitrate,and ph, how long has the tank been set up.

My 20 gallon tank residents:

1 Angelfish
1 Dalmation Molly
1 Long fin Serpae Tetra
1 Unknown fish (bless it's heart)
2 Snails

Quick Dip Ammonia: It's in between 3.0 harmful and 6.0 Danger....However, it ALWAYS reads this it NEVER changes.

Quick Dip 5 in 1:

Nitrate: 0 Safe
Nitrite: 0 Safe
Hardness: 150 Hard
Alkalinity: 0 Low
ph: 6.2 Acidic

Sorry I didn't post this before. As if your suppose just know this stuff. )

Tropical fish?... why add salt? Have you 'cycled' the tank? If so, you may want to keep the existing gravel as it will contain some 'beneficial' bacteria... if not, this bacteria will be in your filter media (if you 'cycled')...

Yes tropical fish....I added salt to reduce the stress in the fish as that is what the artical said to do. (I didn't get the info from here)

personally, i'd gut and start over, it's easier than trying to fix a big mess!

what fish do you still have in there?
how big is the tank?

AWEEEEE I would have to flush them, there is no one that would take them and of course the LFS dosn't want them. I would feel like a fishy murderer but if that is the only way I supose they are going to die anyway.

How would i start over?

Just wash everything and let it sit for a month and then add fish?

Can i keep the plants i have and try to save them?

 

[WILDER]

Well the tank it on it's way but you haven't even got a nitrite reading yet so quite abit to go yet, as nitrite has to raise then gradually drop to 0, As for the angel need a 30gal tank,plus none of the fish are hardy enough for a cycle, so you might have to be prepared to lose then, if the cycling takes it toll on then and there immumne system shuts down.
See ammonia takes it toll on a fish, as it burns there skin and gills, then they have to go into the nitrite process, so you can understand why so many fish die during this process.

http/www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/cycling.htm

http/www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/cycling2.htm

 

[sk_haider]

Well the tank it on it's way but you haven't even got a nitrite reading yet so quite abit to go yet, as nitrite has to raise then gradually drop to 0, As for the angel need a 30gal tank,plus none of the fish are hardy enough for a cycle, so you might have to be prepared to lose then, if the cycling takes it toll on then and there immumne system shuts down.
See ammonia takes it toll on a fish, as it burns there skin and gills, then they have to go into the nitrite process, so you can understand why so many fish die during this process.

http/www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/cycling.htm

http/www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/cycling2.htm

So in your opinion should i gut it like Catxx said and just start over. I don't want them to suffer either that's just cruel.

 

[WILDER]

Don't flush them that's even worse, what shape are they in, see if the lfs will take them back, then do a fishless cycle, it hard waiting to stock the tank with fish, but at least you don't make the fish suffer during the cycle.

 

[sk_haider]

Don't flush them that's even worse, what shape are they in, see if the lfs will take them back, then do a fishless cycle, it hard waiting to stock the tank with fish, but at least you don't make the fish suffer during the cycle.

I tried to get the LFS to take them back but they wont and of course they are the ones that told me I was good to go.

I shape the fish are in:

Molly: she hide by the heater with her head down like she is depressed. She hardly comes out to eat.

The angel looks a little pail in color.

And the other 2 I never see them eat. and they hide.

 

[WILDER]

Any friends in fish keeping who could take them off your hands, or phone other lfs and offer them for free.
Only other option is just to carry on, watching stats knowing when to preform a water change.

 

[sk_haider]

So should i slowly remove the gravel to help with the feces?

 

[WILDER]

Leave the gravel that where some of your bacteria colony is, plus you shouldn't touch the substrate at all till the tank has cycled.

 

[Undawada]

First, read all of the articles in the beginner section ( http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=88643 )

Second, do daily or twice daily water changes of at least 25 percent.

Third, make sure you have adequate filtration. What kind of filter do you have?

If you have knowledge, filtration and do your water changes, you stand the best chance.

 

[sk_haider]

Thank you guys so much for all your help. I will continue to change the water and see if i can get everything settled.

 

[WILDER]

http/www.aquahobby.com/e_articles.php