I Give Up.

[Jinty McGinty]

If you have a friend living near by who keeps freshwater fish, borrow some water from him or her and add it too your tank (yes, I know this is risky because possible infection, but it's less risky than giving up) do your research.

Neomeris

Tank water is of NO benefit at ALL!!!!

 

[Clarousel]

Agreed. The filter media would definitely help much better than the water. Don't give up AnimalHouse36! There are loads of people here who are willing to help you out All the best!

 

[Aquamaniac]

Don't give up.
I did all the worst mistakes that can be made by a beginer and after all these years i'm still here.
Do a lot of research eventually you'll get it right its like that in the beggining for everyone.
We are not born teached,we develop our skills with time.

 

[AnimalHouse36]

Thanks for the support guys. I'm just so torn. I thought I was doing everything right!

Sometime in the next week I'll be getting a testing kit, and seeing if my LFS would sell me some of their gravel. And if these 3 fish stay alive for a few months my hope will be restored.

One question, I've read that feeding sparingly (twice a week) helps with the cycling. Is there any truth to that? I usually give the mollies flakes, then the next day put in a third of an algae wafer for a few hours for what used to be my 2 cories(I now have 1). Is this too much too often?

 

[Clarousel]

One question, I've read that feeding sparingly (twice a week) helps with the cycling. Is there any truth to that? I usually give the mollies flakes, then the next day put in a third of an algae wafer for a few hours for what used to be my 2 cories(I now have 1). Is this too much too often?

The thing with cycling with fish is that you don't want to over feed them because any uneaten food will cause ammonia spikes. Also, the more the fish eat the more fish poop you'll have which will also cause ammonia to rise. I've not heard about the feeding sparingly thing but fish are able to go for a few days without feeding just so you know. I'm currently doing a fish-in cycle as well and I feed my fish everyday along with daily 40% water changes. So far no probs

 

[CrazyAirborne]

One question, I've read that feeding sparingly (twice a week) helps with the cycling. Is there any truth to that? I usually give the mollies flakes, then the next day put in a third of an algae wafer for a few hours for what used to be my 2 cories(I now have 1). Is this too much too often?

it wont necessarily help with the cycle, but it will keep the ammonia levels lower for a little longer, since u're adding less food, the fish will produce less waste, ie less ammonia. but lots of water changes are in order. u should read about the fish-in cycling in the beginners resource center.

 

[AnimalHouse36]

I've been reading up on the cycling of a fish tank and am begining to understand it!

One question, I've always dechlorinated the water after I did a waterchange since I usually add the water by the bucket full. Is this alright?

 

[Caprichoso]

I've been reading up on the cycling of a fish tank and am begining to understand it!

One question, I've always dechlorinated the water after I did a waterchange since I usually add the water by the bucket full. Is this alright?

You can either de-chlorinate each bucket of water or add de-chlor to your tank first,(treating for the whole volume of the tank). You should always add it first, whether it be in to the bucket or into the tank.

 

[the_lock_man]

and seeing if my LFS would sell me some of their gravel.

As with the water, getting gravel from an established tank will do very very little. It is the filter sponges and ceramic pieces that you need to get hold of, that's where the bacteria live.

As Kate Bush once said, "Don't give up, cos you have friends"

 

[Vin Swords]

There is times... I want to give up... And I keep fish for 20+ years.


It's a hobby. What hobby is interesting without challenge?

As 50 pence ones said, '' do or die trying ''

 

[Fantail_John]

In 3 weeks I have been doing my low tec planted tank I had times to give it all in, with plants not going my way, replacing tank looks a mess fish going crazy, nothing was going my way but taking deap breaths and saying to myself, ok this is not going to get to me and with a lot of helpful people on here and advice on planted tanks I'm slowly getting happy in what I'm doing I think I'm to fussy that's my problem and slowly building the tank up as been a challenge and I know it will be worth it in the end so keep at it as we all have this feeling sometimes, and at the end you will say to yourself, yes I have accomplished my goal and you will enjoy the result just ask in the forum and a few good members will let you know, about what you need

 

[Dieses Madchen]

I lost about 10 fish in the year I have been trying and it was rough. I have made some dumb mistakes, and learned from them. But you came to the right place. I have taken alot from the people on this site and by following the advice and guidance of those with more experience than me, I have successfully set up a 40 gallon community tank that NEVER has issues (knock on wood). I am still learning about bettas and I have some awesome people that are helping me through my two losses, and my one that was sick, and slowly helping get to where I want to be as far as raising happy healthy bettas. You are amongst friends here, who will do all they can to help and answer any questions. We will get your tank set up and you will have an awesome community of happy fish. Just keep faith in that, take a deep breath, and get ready, cause its about to be a lot of work and a lot of fun. And trust me, just like everyone else has said, it seems frustrating now, but the end resutl is well worth the frustration and work. I can sit and watch my little aquatic buddies for hours

 

[Clarousel]

Just keep faith in that, take a deep breath, and get ready, cause its about to be a lot of work and a lot of fun. And trust me, just like everyone else has said, it seems frustrating now, but the end resutl is well worth the frustration and work. I can sit and watch my little aquatic buddies for hours

Yes, I'm doing water changes daily for my new tank and I think I'm starting to find it relaxing All the hard work will definitely pay off when you see your fish all swimming happily~ I watch my fish so much my family is convinced I've gone nuts.

 

[Dieses Madchen]

Just keep faith in that, take a deep breath, and get ready, cause its about to be a lot of work and a lot of fun. And trust me, just like everyone else has said, it seems frustrating now, but the end resutl is well worth the frustration and work. I can sit and watch my little aquatic buddies for hours

Yes, I'm doing water changes daily for my new tank and I think I'm starting to find it relaxing All the hard work will definitely pay off when you see your fish all swimming happily~ I watch my fish so much my family is convinced I've gone nuts.

It's even more fun when there is baby fish. They are such curious little things. Now that they are bigger and don't have to hide, it is so adorable watching them try to find their place amongst the older fish of the community. I have 2 babies that think they are all big and bad and will pick on my pleco, and I never thought I would see the day that "Ol' Godfather" would go after another fish. He swatted them babies with his tail like a horse does with flies lol. It was the funniest thing in the world.

 

[Clarousel]

It's even more fun when there is baby fish. They are such curious little things. Now that they are bigger and don't have to hide, it is so adorable watching them try to find their place amongst the older fish of the community. I have 2 babies that think they are all big and bad and will pick on my pleco, and I never thought I would see the day that "Ol' Godfather" would go after another fish. He swatted them babies with his tail like a horse does with flies lol. It was the funniest thing in the world.

Agreed! I haven't got the chance to have any but I saw them at the LFS. Cutest things in the world - humongous eyes on such a tiny body! Awww that's adorable! Hehe fish can be so cute sometimes.