Hi I'm A Newbie

[bertie the bristlenose]

Hi, this is the first time i have ever joined a forum and am unsure if i am doing it right.. so please be patient with me!..

First i will give you a quick history of the tank.. i got 60L tank at the end of july which i cycled with 3 silvertip tetras and 3 neon tetras, it all seemed to work really well,

two weeks later i added 3 cherry barbs and 3 harlequin rasboras.

The silvertips (esp. the two larger ones) are very active and seem to chase the newer fish, although i am not sure if they actually touch they are too fast!

Today i noticed that one of the HR's has an unusual bottom part to it's tail fin. The see through bit is torn looking and the thicker part looks white. All the HR's do not shoal as i have seen mentioned in other parts of your site and they hang out in the corners. I am wondering if they are being harrassed by the silvertips and if so what can be done about the overall situation, and the one with the poorly fin?

Thank you for all your help in advance


PS i added a fab bristlenose today who looks great!! Called Bertie!!

 

[backtotropical]

Hi Bertie The Bristlenose and to TFF,

Fin-nipping may be the cause of your problems, but all the species you mention are usually quite peaceful.

It may be more likely that your problems stem from the tank not being cycled properly. You mention that you cycled the tank in 2 weeks, is that correct? Can I ask exactly what you did, and how you established that the tank was eventually cycled? Also, do you have current test kit readings for ammonia and nitrite?

Cheers

BTT

 

[bertie the bristlenose]

Hi Bertie The Bristlenose and to TFF,

Fin-nipping may be the cause of your problems, but all the species you mention are usually quite peaceful.

It may be more likely that your problems stem from the tank not being cycled properly. You mention that you cycled the tank in 2 weeks, is that correct? Can I ask exactly what you did, and how you established that the tank was eventually cycled? Also, do you have current test kit readings for ammonia and nitrite?

Cheers

BTT

Hi backtotropical

Thanks for such a quick response, i have done several water tests, the last one was 3 days ago and levels were ph8.0 (which i know is high but the tap water is the same and LFS seemed to think was ok if fish good which until now have been), ammonia 0.1g/l, nitrite 0.1g/l, the temp is 24 oC. As advised by LFS i added 5ml of bacterlife every day for a week, then once a week and when new fish are added, and have done one 10% water change and hoover...

I hope i've done everything right i don't want to cause and harm the fab fishes.

Bertie and pals

 

[OldMan47]

I sure hope that you are slipping a decimal on those chemical readings. The ammonia and nitrites at 0.1 mg/l would be higher than we like to see but at g/l it is deadly high. With your current situation, I would start by doing a 30% or more water change on the tank. Use the dechlorinator, whichever brand you have, and temperature match the new water to the tank's contents. I expect that you will find the fish look better almost immediately, although it won't heal the fin damage that quickly.