Help

[Damienne17]

I have sunk a lot of money (that I don't have) into bad products thanks to bad advice and I really don't know what to do!!
First I got a male betta after being told "he'll be fine to put in during the cycle" and after almost killing him due to ammonia poisoning I took him out, saved him, and left the tank to sit. I felt bad about keeping him in such a tiny bowl, so went to another store who sold me nutrifin cycle and said that I would be able to put my fish in right away. I also bought 3 pepper cories at that time.
After noticing my cories are very lethargic I called up the store, and she tell me that I am suffering from new tank syndrome, and sells me this nutrifin bio care.. And I also bought these test strips at the time because the ones I have are expired.. Bring it home and the test strips are garbage, only measures nitrates and nitrates in increments of 20 ppm and doesn't tell me about ammonia at all!!
#92### I'm being SOAKED for money and thinking my fish still aren't gonna live! Dunno what to do now!!
She also told me NOT to do water change..huh??
What in the heck do I do to save these 4 poor fish without getting soaked any more money.. If my Hubby knew how much money I've spent thanks to bad advice, he'd have a cow! He only wanted me to get a fish bowl

 

[phoenixgsd]

oh dear, dont panic though, you dont really need anything apart from dechlorinator, and yes you do have to do water changes, as you already have fish, LOTS of them have a read here http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/277264-beginners-resource-center/

 

[Damienne17]

Hmm.. Thank you, thats a very helpful link!
So since I have fish, should I just discard all this garbage they've soaked me for, and 50% water changes daily? Wish I could get my hands on a good water testing kit.. Grr.. I am thinking I'm going to take that one back!!

I have a feeling my problem was that I put pantyhose on the filter (for my betta) and it slowed the current too much causing levels to spike. I did a 50% water change, added that stuff they sold me (and the dechlorinator) and took the pantyhose off the filter. I unfortunately had to remove the Berta, because the current at full speed was throwing him all over the place

 

[phoenixgsd]

Hmm.. Thank you, thats a very helpful link!
So since I have fish, should I just discard all this garbage they've soaked me for, and 50% water changes daily? Wish I could get my hands on a good water testing kit.. Grr.. I am thinking I'm going to take that one back!!

I have a feeling my problem was that I put pantyhose on the filter (for my betta) and it slowed the current too much causing levels to spike. I did a 50% water change, added that stuff they sold me (and the dechlorinator) and took the pantyhose off the filter. I unfortunately had to remove the Berta, because the current at full speed was throwing him all over the place

you will need a liquid based test kit and yes you will have to do those daily water changes with temperature matched dechlorinated water. i have a pantyhose over my filter too, lots of us do, your problem wasnt that you did that, it was because your filter isnt cycled, if my husband found out how much i'd spent i'd be in huge trouble too

 

[Damienne17]

What is a good brand for the testing kits? I will unfortunately have to order online.. I've gone to every town close by and that was the only kit I found..
Good to know it wasn't the pantyhose then my betta was really enjoying the freedom of the tank lol, I think I will make him stay in the bowl tho until the tanks safe.
I wish I hadn't listened to their advice to put fish in straight away the cories are *slightly* more active now at least

 

[phoenixgsd]

API do a cheap but good master test kit

 

[Damienne17]

Thanks, that's great found some on eBay, for only a few dollars more than those garbage dipsticks lol

 

[Damienne17]

THANK YoU
2/3 fish are out of the woods (for now) the third one is still hanging in, but don't think he's gonna make it.

 

[Damienne17]

2 still going strong, 1 passed away this morning
RIP my poor guy, I tried my best, and I vow to stop listening to LFS