I Am Killing My Fish & On The Point Of Giving Up!

[eaglesaquarium]

It is true that the bacteria might have a substantial die back because of the things they described. But, they are the right type of bacteria, and even if 90% died off, you'd still have a nice size colony to get your cycling going faster. Every little bit helps, especially when you are talking about exponential growth. The bacteria can double every 24 hours under optimum conditions. So, ultimately, even a little more bacteria in your filter can make a big difference in the long run. It can cut weeks off your cycling process, and if the mature media contains sufficient numbers that don't die back due to the factors already mentioned, you could be instantly cycled.

It isn't surprising that P@H don't do this sort of thing. They'd rather give bad advice and sell you instant cycling products that don't actually work nearly as well.

 

[This Old Spouse]

Good god, is there another LFS you can start visiting? This place sounds terrible!! They're giving you just awful advice that will kill your fish if you listen to them! Wow. Good thing I'm nowhere near you or I'd go to that P@H and give them a piece of my mind. There's no excuse for being THAT far off the mark.

Please do 2 90% water changes fairly close together. Then bring another sample of your water to be tested.

 

[Baltipal]

Actually looking at the paper again the nitrite level might say 2 rather than 5, it is alittle indistinct.

 

[Akasha72]

where abouts in the world are located Baltipal? There may be a member on here nearby that's willing to give you some media.

ps It wasn't me that asked about getting media at your lfs - that was Ruskull

 

[pablothebetta]

API freshwater masterkit and get it off ebay

£19 from eBay

 

[Baltipal]

Sorry Akasha. I'm in Birmingham West Midlands of course not Alabama.
I have seen the kits as low as £15 on Amazon but as I'm putting fuel in the car a tenner at a time at the moment I fear it'll still have to wait. There may be the chance of a freebee kit(make & type unknown) from a relative IF we take their fish but I'm wary as I don't want to kill another one. I believe it's a Molly BTW.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Actually looking at the paper again the nitrite level might say 2 rather than 5, it is alittle indistinct.

Even at 2, instead of 5, a minimum of 75% water change is necessary. Still 90% would be better as it would give you a bit of cushion to leave the water be for about 12-24 hours before having to worry about it again. If you did a 90% tonight, chances are you could do only a 75% daily water change from here out until you get your own test kit. And I second TOS's suggestion to find a new LFS. This one may be the closest one to you, but it is by no means a good one. It is far better in the long run to go a little further out of your way than it would be to continue to support a poorly run store. Maybe if sales fall off far enough some new people will be brought in to run it - or perhaps it will have to close and leave room in the market for a properly run LFS to come in its place.

Personally, I wouldn't want to buy fish (or anything else for that matter) from this store. They are perpetuating some horrible myths about fishkeeping and give you some terrible advice.

 

[Akasha72]

Sorry Akasha. I'm in Birmingham West Midlands of course not Alabama.
I have seen the kits as low as £15 on Amazon but as I'm putting fuel in the car a tenner at a time at the moment I fear it'll still have to wait. There may be the chance of a freebee kit(make & type unknown) from a relative IF we take their fish but I'm wary as I don't want to kill another one. I believe it's a Molly BTW.

Okay, well I'm sure there will be someone here willing to donate media - Brum is a big place after-all! I understand the money side of things ... everyone is in the same boat right now. It might be worth checking ebay for just ammonia and nitrite tests first - they are the important 2 right now. I've seen them for about £3.00 each.
Regarding the Molly - wait until your tank starts to cycle then one fish won't harm things. It should survive no trouble once all the troubles settle down

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Sorry Akasha. I'm in Birmingham West Midlands of course not Alabama.
I have seen the kits as low as £15 on Amazon but as I'm putting fuel in the car a tenner at a time at the moment I fear it'll still have to wait. There may be the chance of a freebee kit(make & type unknown) from a relative IF we take their fish but I'm wary as I don't want to kill another one. I believe it's a Molly BTW.

This is very interesting... More information please! This could actually solve BOTH of your problems! If you are taking the fish off their hands, and they are offering you their test kit, then they must be giving up the hobby. So, they then have no interest in keeping their filter either, do they? If so, you could just remove their filter from their tank and bang it on to your tank. This filter would be perfectly suited for their bioload of fish. Then, it would only have to catch up to your bioload, which could happen in a matter of days, rather than weeks.


What number of which fish? What are the dimensions of the tank? How long has it been up and running? And what are your current stocking arrangements? (Is their tank included in this offer?)

 

[gforce17]

Hi Baltipal. I've been following this topic since you started it with great interest not knowing where you lived. I couldn't believe the stuff you've said about he advice from the local shop. Now that you've indicated that you live in Birmingham ( I live in Rowley Regis) i'm very concerned that I might use the shop you're referring to.

 

[Baltipal]

Hi Baltipal. I've been following this topic since you started it with great interest not knowing where you lived. I couldn't believe the stuff you've said about he advice from the local shop. Now that you've indicated that you live in Birmingham ( I live in Rowley Regis) i'm very concerned that I might use the shop you're referring to.

I'm in quinton gforce so not too far away at all. There is a closer shop than the one I've mentioned but the bloke who runs it seemed rather surly & unfriendly when we popped in just after getting the tank so we didn't go in again also I think he was abit dear.

 

[gforce17]

You're just up the road. The terrible one isn't in Oldbury is it?

 

[Baltipal]

Sorry Akasha. I'm in Birmingham West Midlands of course not Alabama.
I have seen the kits as low as £15 on Amazon but as I'm putting fuel in the car a tenner at a time at the moment I fear it'll still have to wait. There may be the chance of a freebee kit(make & type unknown) from a relative IF we take their fish but I'm wary as I don't want to kill another one. I believe it's a Molly BTW.

This is very interesting... More information please! This could actually solve BOTH of your problems! If you are taking the fish off their hands, and they are offering you their test kit, then they must be giving up the hobby. So, they then have no interest in keeping their filter either, do they? If so, you could just remove their filter from their tank and bang it on to your tank. This filter would be perfectly suited for their bioload of fish. Then, it would only have to catch up to your bioload, which could happen in a matter of days, rather than weeks.


What number of which fish? What are the dimensions of the tank? How long has it been up and running? And what are your current stocking arrangements? (Is their tank included in this offer?)

I think it was a 90ltr jobby but has only one fish for a while now.

 

[gforce17]

I'd be very surprised if the shop you're referring to is the BIG one in Oldbury because it is very popular and people I know who use it give it a high rating. The advice I've been given has always been ok/good. You might try it.

 

[Baltipal]

I'd be very surprised if the shop you're referring to is the BIG one in Oldbury because it is very popular and people I know who use it give it a high rating. The advice I've been given has always been ok/good. You might try it.

No not that one, I have been there for hamster related stuff & it seems fine.