Guppie

[Alimak]

Hello,

I have had my tank for about a month and a half now and I have recently moved home (which I know would have diturbed my fish).

I have 5 Guppies, 4 Jumbo Neons and 2 Silver Sharks, but one of my guppies since moving seems to hide in the corner by the filter and heater when the tank light is on but as soon as I turn it off he comes out again as if nothing is wrong.

I did discover a couple of weeks ago that my nitrate levels were through the roof and some of my fish died from this (I am now having my water check often to get these levels down).

Would this be a reason as to why he is hiding but he never used to do this at my old home. I am just concerned and hope that I can do something to help.

Does anyone have any ideas?? I would be very grateful

Many Thanks Alimak

 

[arobinson1984]

If the fish is suffering due to water conditions then it could be a reason as to why it seems lethargic and hangs around at the top of the tank, although it seems wierd that its then fine when lights are turned off.

What size is your tank?
What are your water readings? and what test kit do you use?
How often do you do water changes / gravel cleans?

Andy

 

[Alimak]

If the fish is suffering due to water conditions then it could be a reason as to why it seems lethargic and hangs around at the top of the tank, although it seems wierd that its then fine when lights are turned off.

What size is your tank?
What are your water readings? and what test kit do you use?
How often do you do water changes / gravel cleans?

Andy

I have a 60L Auqa Art Tank. I am also currently getting the watter tested at my local fish shop as I am still learning about it all and currently doing water changes every 3-4 weeks as advised but the shop and due to do a gravel clean this weekend

I have spoken to other people regarding this issue and they don't have any idea as to wht this is happening

Many Thanks Alimak

 

[arobinson1984]

Is the tank cycled?

water changes every 3-4 weeks isn't enough, you need to be doing a 40-50% water change every week and cleaning the gravel at the same time, unless your tank isnt cycled yet which in that case it will be a lot more.

How long has the tank been running?

Andy

 

[Alimak]

Is the tank cycled?

water changes every 3-4 weeks isn't enough, you need to be doing a 40-50% water change every week and cleaning the gravel at the same time, unless your tank isnt cycled yet which in that case it will be a lot more.

How long has the tank been running?

Andy

It's been running a month and a half. The way I have been doing is the way I was told by my ex partner who asured me he had a 6ft tank for 13 years so I thought he knew what he was doing

Alimak

 

[arobinson1984]

Sorry I've just seen that you had written it has been running about 6 weeks.

The first thing you need to do is get yourself a testing kit, dont rely on your lfs to do it, many stores will use the test strips which are rubbish and inaccurate. You need a good liquid based testing kit, the API freshwater master kit is the recommended kit by most and the one I use myself, you can pick these up on ebay for about £15 and a couple of quid postage, this will last you over a year and tests for:

PH
Ammonia
NitrITES
NitrATES

Without the 4 results for these tests, it is hard to see what is wrong with the tank, but I would definately recommend more frequent water changes, once or twice a week at 40-50% a time, clean gravel once a week as well.

Can I ask, your lfs, is it a small family run type business? or a big chain store?

You see a 6ft tank is alot easier to keep the water in a good condition than a small tank because there is alot of water, so a little bit of waste wont affect it that much, you probably could get away with doing water changes every 3-4 weeks on a 6ft tank.

But on a small tank, and ammonia or nitrITES that are in your water, affect it very quickly as there is alot less water to affect than in a 6ft tank, you dont have the same amount of room for error if you understand what I'm saying. You cant compare running a 60ltr tank to a 6ft tank and they will differ enormously.

Andy

 

[Alimak]

Sorry I've just seen that you had written it has been running about 6 weeks.

The first thing you need to do is get yourself a testing kit, dont rely on your lfs to do it, many stores will use the test strips which are rubbish and inaccurate. You need a good liquid based testing kit, the API freshwater master kit is the recommended kit by most and the one I use myself, you can pick these up on ebay for about £15 and a couple of quid postage, this will last you over a year and tests for:

PH
Ammonia
NitrITES
NitrATES

Without the 4 results for these tests, it is hard to see what is wrong with the tank, but I would definately recommend more frequent water changes, once or twice a week at 40-50% a time, clean gravel once a week as well.

Can I ask, your lfs, is it a small family run type business? or a big chain store?

Andy

I don't think it is a small family business I don't know how long they have been est. my ex partner says he has always used them and being new at all of this I took his word how stupid am I lol.

I can see what you mean by the difference in tank size. I think i need to increase my knowledge and quick

I will have a look for this test on ebay

Many Thanks for your help hope I can come back to you if required you have been a great help

 

[Bobtastic]

Don't worry, lots of ppl fall into the LFS trap (myself included). The advise from your ex was probably ok, if applied to the same size of tank and he was running. You've done a good thing by coming on here and asking questions, there are load of knowledgable, helpful ppl on here that will help you out. You're best bet is to have a read through the Beginners Resource Center. There is loads of useful information about Fish-in Cycling (which you might have done/be doing) and will help you understand the importance of Ammonia/Nitrites/Nitrates/pH levels.

 

[Alimak]

Don't worry, lots of ppl fall into the LFS trap (myself included). The advise from your ex was probably ok, if applied to the same size of tank and he was running. You've done a good thing by coming on here and asking questions, there are load of knowledgable, helpful ppl on here that will help you out. You're best bet is to have a read through theBeginners Resource Center. There is loads of useful information about Fish-in Cycling (which you might have done/be doing) and will help you understand the importance of Ammonia/Nitrites/Nitrates/pH levels.

I think there is from reading other peoples questions and the responses I have looked at many different forum sites and this is by far the best I have come across. I post my question this morning and already got a response.

I am open to any suggestions as I want to do the best I can at Fish keeping

Any advice that can be given will be gratefully received

Many Thanks Ally

 

[arobinson1984]

As bob suggested, have a read through the resource centre, this will give you abit of basic knowledge regarding cycling and the importance of water quality etc and also, do a water change today.

When you get a test (make sure you get a liquid test, the test strips are next to useless) post the results on here and it will be a lot easier for us to give you advise on what to do next

Andy

 

[Alimak]

As bob suggested, have a read through the resource centre, this will give you abit of basic knowledge regarding cycling and the importance of water quality etc and also, do a water change today.

When you get a test (make sure you get a liquid test, the test strips are next to useless) post the results on here and it will be a lot easier for us to give you advise on what to do next

Andy

Thanks sweet you have been a great help

Ally

 

[waterdrop]

Yes, good help there from Andy and learning about testing and fish-in is definately the way to go for you.

('course if I was a little guppie I might be hiding from two silver sharks too! )

~~waterdrop~~

 

[Alimak]

Yes, good help there from Andy and learning about testing and fish-in is definately the way to go for you.

('course if I was a little guppie I might be hiding from two silver sharks too! )

~~waterdrop~~

I would hide to but my silver sharks are very laid back and just seem to go with the flow of things.

I will have a read up tonight

Thanks
Ally

 

[Alimak]

Hi Guys,

I went home on Friday and noticed that my guppie that was hiding was out with all the other fish and the light was on and he seemed really happy. I kept an eye on him over the weekend and he seemed happy enough.

Should I just keep an eye on him just to be safe??

Many Thanks

Alimak

 

[arobinson1984]

Yes, keep a close eye on him.

Have you managed to get a testing kit yet? Have you being doing regular water changes?

How big are your bala sharks by the way? they will get WAY too big for that tank eventually, I have 2 in my 125 litre tank and they will outgrow that too so I will have to either upgrade or re-home them. The can grow in excess of 12"

Andy