i am starting a new aquarium and could use some help... i had a 10 gal tank sitting on my desk that was in need of some serious help. the filter was broken and it was full of algae. a pleco and tetra were still living inside. the other day i decided to clean it and get some more fish... i treated the tap water with StartRight and AmmoLock. I purchased 3 danios and a glass catfish. i put the pleco and tetra back into the tank and set the bag of other fish on top of the water for 15 min like i was told to. within 3 hours, the red tetra that i already had was dead and stuck to the filter. i noticed the danios acting funny. they were swimming into the current of the water the filter was dropping into the tank or just sitting at the top of the tank. over the next 2 days they all died, including the pleco i already had. he was the last to go. i also noticed the glass cat swimming sideways and upside down... he died soon after. i have no idea why my fish suddenly died off! can anyone help me? i am scared to get more... also when my other fish died i took my water to the fish store to have it tested and they said it had no chlorine and everything was fine... so i got a full refund for my fish.. is there a chance that i didnt rinse all of the soap out when i cleaned it and that is killing them? or are they sick? i also bought a new filter at the time i re-did the tank. i didnt rinse it or anything so maybe i put something toxic into the water?? help me please i want more fish!!!
Help! Fish All Died
- Thread starter jackieh3
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*Fishkies*
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You need to buy a liquid test kit and test the water. A test kit that tests ammonia, nitrate and nitrite. It is a high possisibility that your water parameters were not correct for you fish. Also that is a lot of fish for a 10gallon tank, so overstocking may have also been a problem.
What kind of filter were you using?
Oh and
to the forum!
What kind of filter were you using?
Oh and
to the forum!You need to buy a liquid test kit and test the water. A test kit that tests ammonia, nitrate and nitrite. It is a high possisibility that your water parameters were not correct for you fish. Also that is a lot of fish for a 10gallon tank, so overstocking may have also been a problem.
What kind of filter were you using?
Oh and
I am not sure what kind of filter it was... i bought it brand new the same day i added new fish.... i know the lady said something about bio and something else....
Also, when my fish died i went back to the store and they tested my water for ammonia, nitrate and nitrite. I dont have the exact readings but they said everything was ok and they gave me a refund.
-germ-
Rheophilic....
Sorry for all your losses. Its difficult to guess what may have been the problem.
It has to have been water quality, is there any chance you overdosed on any of the products you put in, or mis-read the label?
Were there any other symptoms before death?
If you didn't overdose i'd expect it to be ammonia or nitrite, did your LFS test for these?
Do either of these products actually dechorinate?
It also sounds like your stocking was wrong, glass catfish wouldn't have done well in that tank on its own.
You'e come to the right place, i'm sure there'll be more help to come.
Also.
If you sterilise your tank well and then properly cycle it before adding more fish you'll be fine. This however, will require your patience.
-germ-
Rheophilic....
Oh... If you bought the fish from the same LFS as your tank it'd've been in their best interests to tell you your water was fine.
If they hadn't they'd have;
Had to admit they hadn't been honest in the first place by not explaining tank cycling.
Lost your custom.
Possibly ended up with you demanding a refund for the new tank.
Wheras you obviously now feel like it was something unpredictable or possibly your fault, removing the blame from theirselves.
If they hadn't they'd have;
Had to admit they hadn't been honest in the first place by not explaining tank cycling.
Lost your custom.
Possibly ended up with you demanding a refund for the new tank.
Wheras you obviously now feel like it was something unpredictable or possibly your fault, removing the blame from theirselves.
*Fishkies*
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*Fishkies*
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Fishless cycling
Be sure to check out the link above before you start with fish. Also you can do cycling with fish. You can read about this HERE. This is a recorded one that somebody did.
Also for some other information check out the "General Information link" in my signature below.
Be sure to check out the link above before you start with fish. Also you can do cycling with fish. You can read about this HERE. This is a recorded one that somebody did.
Also for some other information check out the "General Information link" in my signature below.
Lynda B
Fish Addict
Sorry for your losses. It's always hard to lose fish, no matter the reason or how long we've had them.
I see that you used soap to clean your tank. Never do that. Use good old elbow grease, bleach or vinegar, then rinse and rinse and rinse again.
How is it that your tank got so full of algae to begin with? How long had your filter been broken?
It's always best to have your own drop test kit (not strips) so that you can ultimately be responsible for the well-being of your fish.
I see that you used soap to clean your tank. Never do that. Use good old elbow grease, bleach or vinegar, then rinse and rinse and rinse again.
How is it that your tank got so full of algae to begin with? How long had your filter been broken?
It's always best to have your own drop test kit (not strips) so that you can ultimately be responsible for the well-being of your fish.
Thank you for the tips on cleaning a tank. The fish tank was in my brothers room and he let it slip out of his care.. after he moved out i moved into his room and decided to fix up the tank. i am guessing the filter had been out for a month or so. i think i am going to buy a test kit and cycle the tank... is it better to do it without fish? what products will i need? also if my water is in poor condition and my filter has been sucking it up... do i need to replace anything on it so that i do not contaminate the new water?
to answer another question... yes the StartRight product is supposed to remove all chlorine and chloramine
Thank you for the tips. i have decided to cylce my tank before attempting to do anything again and i will purchase my own test kit instead of relying on the store
to answer another question... yes the StartRight product is supposed to remove all chlorine and chloramine
Thank you for the tips. i have decided to cylce my tank before attempting to do anything again and i will purchase my own test kit instead of relying on the store
*Fishkies*
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The filter you have is a great one for your tank. Good Luck in the future with fish!
Just remember petstores are out to make money sometimes more then they are to help. So that's why were here on forums like these.
Just remember petstores are out to make money sometimes more then they are to help. So that's why were here on forums like these.
Amunet
Fish Aficionado
It's much better to fishless cycle!
You're going to need to find yourself some pure ammonia if you can. If you live in the US, try to locate an Ace Hardware store. I know for a fact that they'll have some pure ammonia. You could also probably find some at discount stores. LIke the Dollar Tree or some place like that in their cleaning supplies section.
Just make sure it's ammonia and water and nothing else.
If you shake it and it foams up like a soapy product, then don't get it. If it only gets a few air bubbles that go away quickly then it's ok.
Also make sure it doesn't have any coloring, or different smell to it.
It's also a good idea to get a dropper of some kind so you can use it to put the ammonia into the tank. Or just some sort of measuring device that will allow you to measure out the amount you put in.
And as others suggested, get yourself a master test kit or at least an ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate kits.... LIquid.. no strips.
You're going to need to find yourself some pure ammonia if you can. If you live in the US, try to locate an Ace Hardware store. I know for a fact that they'll have some pure ammonia. You could also probably find some at discount stores. LIke the Dollar Tree or some place like that in their cleaning supplies section.
Just make sure it's ammonia and water and nothing else.
If you shake it and it foams up like a soapy product, then don't get it. If it only gets a few air bubbles that go away quickly then it's ok.
Also make sure it doesn't have any coloring, or different smell to it.
It's also a good idea to get a dropper of some kind so you can use it to put the ammonia into the tank. Or just some sort of measuring device that will allow you to measure out the amount you put in.
And as others suggested, get yourself a master test kit or at least an ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate kits.... LIquid.. no strips.
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