Hi And Help!

[FishLover66]

You can also add peat to the filter to lower pH.

Thanks! I've heard that before, but never saw that in the pet stores. Is that sold as an additive to the filter and if not, where would I get it? Also, I'm a little concerned about the peat discoloring the water. I know fish like it, but I kind of prefer crystal clear water.

I'm definitely going to keep it in mind though!

 

[This Old Spouse]

I wish it weren't true that so many new fishkeepers are lulled into thinking that if they add a whole lot of stuff to their new tanks that it makes it better for the fish. Unfortunately that's just not true. I found that the best things for nearly all fish are a nice, clean tank with fresh, dechlorinated and warm water and a good, high quality food meted carefully.

Unless you're keeping a marine aquarium or are trying to treat ich without chemicals, lay off the salt. You've got freshwater fish! And I saw you mentioned using some of your older filter media for your new tank which is good.

Best medicine for fishies is clean water and lots of it. You should be doing daily water changes until your filter is cycled. From your stats it appears that it might be cycled, but you should still be doing at least weekly water changes of 50%. Clean the filter housing and intake tube once a month. If you have gravel, use the gravel vac with every water change and really plunge it down into the gravel.

Really sorry about your loss, but your next fish will have a much happier home.

 

[FishLover66]

I wish it weren't true that so many new fishkeepers are lulled into thinking that if they add a whole lot of stuff to their new tanks that it makes it better for the fish. Unfortunately that's just not true. I found that the best things for nearly all fish are a nice, clean tank with fresh, dechlorinated and warm water and a good, high quality food meted carefully.

Unless you're keeping a marine aquarium or are trying to treat ich without chemicals, lay off the salt. You've got freshwater fish! And I saw you mentioned using some of your older filter media for your new tank which is good.

Best medicine for fishies is clean water and lots of it. You should be doing daily water changes until your filter is cycled. From your stats it appears that it might be cycled, but you should still be doing at least weekly water changes of 50%. Clean the filter housing and intake tube once a month. If you have gravel, use the gravel vac with every water change and really plunge it down into the gravel.

Really sorry about your loss, but your next fish will have a much happier home.

Thanks for the info. I did a 33% water change yesterday and tested the water. The only thing that changed was the nitrates, which came back as zero. The tank is looking so much better and so are the fish!! They are all eating and swimming around happily. I'm going to keep a close eye on things over the next few weeks and see how things go. Lesson learned.

 

[colleen0309]

You can also add peat to the filter to lower pH.

Thanks! I've heard that before, but never saw that in the pet stores. Is that sold as an additive to the filter and if not, where would I get it? Also, I'm a little concerned about the peat discoloring the water. I know fish like it, but I kind of prefer crystal clear water.

I'm definitely going to keep it in mind though!

Unfortunately, yes, the peat will stain the water slightly yellow, but so will the driftwood. regular water changes will lessen the yellow tint.