Help! My New Fluval Tank Has Split, How To Save My Fish!

[Darren_co]

Hi, all

I am new to fish keeping, so please bear with me.

A few weeks ago I bought a Fluval 1000 tank which measures 100 x 50 x 40 cm. I put a Fluval 4+ Filter and a 200w Fluval Tronic Heater. I set up the tank as instructed, adding a small amount of food each day and by adding filter start (instructions followed to the letter). I had the water tested (pH, NO2, NO3, KH and GH). I was told that the best way to cycle the tank would be by adding a couple of fish rather than just adding food each day. I then bought a couple of Molly's added them to the tank. A week later I had the water tested again, this came back as nothing major to worry about, so I added a couple of Guppy's. I have been testing the water myself each day with a 5 in 1 test strip from API but I am told they are not as good as the testing kit the aquatics places use. I am now at week 4 and the filter seems to have cycled well. I added a further 2 Guppy's and 2 more Molly's then a few hours later disaster struck. My new tank sprang a serious leak at one of the front seams and drained almost completly within seconds.

We managed to save a bucket full of water (Approx 15L) from over 150L that was in the tank. The fluval Filter was placed in there (not on) along with the heater and an airline. As the tank was bought brand new I rang the store where I bought it and they replaced it.

I was told to get the tank set back up as quickly as possible using a warm water from the tap to aid the heating of the water, I added the treatments to get rid of the nasties from the tap water as I had done the 1st time round. I then left the tank overnight making sure it had a good air supply to it.

The day after once the temp had settled down added my Fluval 4+ and then put my fish back in the new tank.

Within hours I had a dead Molly, the following day I lost another 2 Molly's and 1 of my Guppy's.

The remaining Molly looks to be suffering, it seems to have big red sore lips and is staying at the bottom of the tank, the remaining Guppy's (right now) seem fine but I am worried.

I hate to see anything suffer, and want to do the right thing by my fish. I know that water quality is key as is good oxygenated water.

As I say I am new to fish keeping and freely admit I don't know enough on the subject yet. Prior to the tank failure all seemed to be going well, but this has thrown me.

I am correct in assuming the sudden change in water and stress caused to the fish is what's causing them do die now?

Any help would be gratefully received. But please don't be too hard on me.

If you need any more info I will supply it if I can.

Thanks in advance.

Darren

 

[orange shark]

Did you leave the filter floating in the water for 24 hours? You could be going through a small cycle as some of the bacteria in your filter may have died.

 

[Darren_co]

Did you leave the filter floating in the water for 24 hours? You could be going through a small cycle as some of the bacteria in your filter may have died.

Hi, Thanks for your quick reply! I guess the answer to your question is yes, as I made sure the filter was stood in the bucket with the fish and the water covered it.

I have just checked the water with an API 5 in 1 test strip, it shows the pH as 7.0, the NO2 as 0, the NO3 as 20, the KH as 40 and the GH as 30!

I will take a sample to my local Aquatic shop to be tested again in the morning. If you think I need to do anything right now, please feel free to let me know.

Thanks.

Darren

 

[orange shark]

you need to get an ammonia test kit, or amybe even a master test kits as the strip tests can be inaccurate sometimes! With nitrIte at 0 it doesnt look like your going through a mini cycle but I cant tell until you have your ammonia tested!

 

[Darren_co]

you need to get an ammonia test kit, or amybe even a master test kits as the strip tests can be inaccurate sometimes! With nitrIte at 0 it doesnt look like your going through a mini cycle but I cant tell until you have your ammonia tested!

Hi, I have bought API's Masterkit today. These are what the results of the tests are. pH 6.6, Ammonia 0.25 NO2 0, NO3 0, I did the High Range pH and that shows 7.4. As a newbie and am unsure what the difference is between the pH and Hihg Range pH can you please explain.

Thanks.

 

[Aphotic Phoenix]

The difference between the High Range pH test and the Low Range pH test is simply that one test can't cover the full spectrum of pH ranges. So if your test results give the lowest possible reading on the High Range test use the Low Range test kit to find the true pH. Like wise if using the Low Range test kit and it shows the highest possible pH switch over to the High Range test to get an accurate result.

Keep Ammonia below .25 ppm as much as possible, even if it means doing multiple water changes per day. Same goes for NitrIte. NitrAte levels can vary depending on how much you have in your tap water, but it's best to keep them as low as possible. Also, the NitrAte test is the trickest test because the testing ingredients tend to clump together in bottle #2...so make sure to follow all instructions and shake the bottle/test tube as directed.

 

[Darren_co]

The difference between the High Range pH test and the Low Range pH test is simply that one test can't cover the full spectrum of pH ranges. So if your test results give the lowest possible reading on the High Range test use the Low Range test kit to find the true pH. Like wise if using the Low Range test kit and it shows the highest possible pH switch over to the High Range test to get an accurate result.

Keep Ammonia below .25 ppm as much as possible, even if it means doing multiple water changes per day. Same goes for NitrIte. NitrAte levels can vary depending on how much you have in your tap water, but it's best to keep them as low as possible. Also, the NitrAte test is the trickest test because the testing ingredients tend to clump together in bottle #2...so make sure to follow all instructions and shake the bottle/test tube as directed.

Thanks for the clear differenece in reading the pH's. I intend on checking the water at the same time everyday would you advise this or not?

Thanks again for your help, I am really grateful.