Help With A Newbie's New Tank

[JustFrozen]

Hello, and thanks in advance for any help with me keeping this fish alive.

Here's the run-down, I made the common mistake of not doing enough research, even when I could tell the LFS employees had no idea about the subject. Fortunately I found this site.

I started out with too many fish, and haven't done a fish-less cycle. As you can probably guess, there was a death in the family.

I've returned all but one fish (would return them all if I could but my son is attached to this one and I hope to save it). I got some test strips as well as stuff to take care of chlorine if i need to do some water changing (which I'm guessing I'll have to do to help with the current water situation).

Here's the results of the tests and some general info of my setup:

5 Gal tank, with filter, lamp, some stones, non-live plants, and divided sunken ship which my previous fish (betta) loved to hang out in
No heater (other than the little heat the lamp provides, but the conditions around the aquarium are at a constant 75 degrees
I didn't record the results of the ammonia test but the level was relatively low (not ideal but not in the danger zone), probably 2/5 on the scale
The rest of the results I recorded (all ppm except pH):
Nitrate: 20
Nitrite: 2.5
GH: 300
Chlorine: 0.1
KH: 250
pH: 8.0

The fish I'm hoping to endure these stressful times and cycle the tank for me is a Harlequin Rasbora, which sounds bad considering I've read they prefer a soft and slightly acidic water. Boy is the water here hard, maybe even off the chart because 300 was as high as the GH meter went.

Besides the obvious vague question of "What do I do?", I've got some immediate specific concerns:

- the pH problem. probably picked the wrong fish for this setup, but until it dies i'm stuck with it. could the rocks by raising the level? there's more like marble stones, not even intended for aquariums i'm sure, but the betta never had a prob so i figured they were ok
- water changes, should i be doing these to help level everything? and if so how often ? every day until the nitrite and ammonia levels zero out?
- the hardness of the water. should i do something about this with future water changes?

so... what do i do? =)

thanks, and please dont hate. i'm learning =)

 

[drobbyb]

to TFF!

The best way to help you is to point you in the right direction. Start by reading the topics found in the Beginners Resource Center.

As far as the test strips are concerned, they aren't very accurate so it might be worth investing in a good liquid based test kit, like the API Master. They are far more accurate than the test strips and despite them being more expensive to initially buy, they are far more cost effective than the strips.

I can tell that you want this last harlequin rasbora to survive, and with a little guidance, you can do just that!

 

[rebrn]

Hello, and thanks in advance for any help with me keeping this fish alive.

Here's the run-down, I made the common mistake of not doing enough research, even when I could tell the LFS employees had no idea about the subject. Fortunately I found this site.

I started out with too many fish, and haven't done a fish-less cycle. As you can probably guess, there was a death in the family.

I've returned all but one fish (would return them all if I could but my son is attached to this one and I hope to save it). I got some test strips as well as stuff to take care of chlorine if i need to do some water changing (which I'm guessing I'll have to do to help with the current water situation).

Here's the results of the tests and some general info of my setup:

5 Gal tank, with filter, lamp, some stones, non-live plants, and divided sunken ship which my previous fish (betta) loved to hang out in
No heater (other than the little heat the lamp provides, but the conditions around the aquarium are at a constant 75 degrees
I didn't record the results of the ammonia test but the level was relatively low (not ideal but not in the danger zone), probably 2/5 on the scale
The rest of the results I recorded (all ppm except pH):
Nitrate: 20
Nitrite: 2.5
GH: 300
Chlorine: 0.1
KH: 250
pH: 8.0

The fish I'm hoping to endure these stressful times and cycle the tank for me is a Harlequin Rasbora, which sounds bad considering I've read they prefer a soft and slightly acidic water. Boy is the water here hard, maybe even off the chart because 300 was as high as the GH meter went.

Besides the obvious vague question of "What do I do?", I've got some immediate specific concerns:

- the pH problem. probably picked the wrong fish for this setup, but until it dies i'm stuck with it. could the rocks by raising the level? there's more like marble stones, not even intended for aquariums i'm sure, but the betta never had a prob so i figured they were ok
- water changes, should i be doing these to help level everything? and if so how often ? every day until the nitrite and ammonia levels zero out?
- the hardness of the water. should i do something about this with future water changes?

so... what do i do? =)

thanks, and please dont hate. i'm learning =)

Hello, first off I am realitively new to this my self and everything I mention is what I learned from this site. Don't use test strips the only thing reliable about test strips is that they are unreliable. Also, it does not look like you have anything to test ammonia levels with. Testing ammonia levels is cruicial when cycling a tank.

Step 1: Buy a liquid test kit that tests for ammonia, nitrite, nitrates and pH (regular and high range) -minimum test required. I use API master test kit, but there are several out there. If you are in the US the API kits are available at most pet stores for around $30. I know this is much more then the strips, but trust me it is worth it.

Step 2: Read the "Fish-in Cycle" article found in this fourm under "Beginners Resource Center" - there is a lot of other great information there as well it is worth the read basically fishkeeping 101.

Step 3: test your tap water with the liquid test kit to now what you are starting out with, specifically your pH.

Step 4: minimun daily testing of aquarium with water changes as needed to keep your water decent.

Be prepaired for a lot of water changes and time in to the fish tank. I am now roughly Day 27 of a fish-in cycle and I am still not there. But please read the "Fish-in Cycle" article it will answer almost all your questions.

Also by the looks of your nubers you should do a relatively large water change as soon as possible and you may want to use a dechlornator product as your tank has some chlorine in it. Also, letting your tap water sit for 24 hours in an open container before using it will also help some with the chlorine, or if you have a filter that would also help remove some of the chlorine. But using a dechlorinator product (available at most pet stores) and let it sit for a minimum of 24 hours before using it in your tank is your best bet.

I am sure you will get some more expert advise from the more experienced users, they are great and have never steared me wrong. But also make sure to check out the Beginners Resource Center section in the fourm, it is a tremendous resource for beginners.

Good Luck

 

[drobbyb]

It's still important to add a water conditioner as they do more than just remove chlorine. Most modern water condtioners also detoxify heavy metals and neutralize ammonia. Prime is an excellent water conditioner that is available at most pet shops. It detoxifies heavy metals, removes chlorine and chloramine, and neutralizes ammonia. A little goes a long ways! I have been using it for years. Really good stuff.

 

[JustFrozen]

he's acting strange this morning. not moving much and when he does he's usually swimming backwards, and refusing to eat. doesn't look like he's going to make it....

 

[drobbyb]

You need to do 2 50% waterchanges an hour apart, and a 50% waterchange when the levels reach .25. Nitrite levels as high as you reported will kill just about any fish. Nitrite poisoning shuts down their internal organs, and the damage is permanant.

 

[JustFrozen]

thanks for the advice, i'll be sure to do some water changes if he'll still ok after work.

if he doesn't make it, i think i'll switch to a betta because it's so much easier and my son gets really emotionally attached. i kept my last betta alive for over 3 years, i'm sure i can do it again, especially with the wealth of knowledge available on this site!

assuming i go down that path: is it correct to assume i am better off dumping the tank, de-chlorinating new water, and starting over again?