I Seem To Have Adopted Some Fish!

[Annalou]

Hello

My housemate left his 4ft tank behind last year and so I seem to have become responsible for thier little lives and trying to learn fast! Things were going ok, but I have lost 2 clown Loaches to white spot, and recently did a PH test cos the fish seemed down in the dumps, I discovered that the PH was 8.4..I put some adjuster in on Sunday and this morning things seem to be perking up!

I dont have much in there, just some Guppies, 2 Albinocorydoras and a Platy (one got mouthrot, I think, and the other just died)

I could really do with some advice on water management, Is there a "cure all" for making tap water perfect for aquariums? Even I dont like the taste of my tap water! and once I get the water right, I would like advice on how far I can go each time with changing the plants, furnishings etc..The tank is quite boring at the moment, a nice bit of driftwood, plastic plants, Fluval 4 filter on show, as it the heater. I look forward to hearing from you and it anyone can offer some time as my mentor, that would be fabulous.

Many Thanks
Anna

 

[catxx]

have you tested your tap water as well as your tank water? it's always useful to know what you're starting off with!

changing decoration isn't too hard, although changing gravel is a nono, that's where your bacteria live. but as long as any new decor (fake plants) has a good rinse before it goes in then there should be no trouble! any new bogwood will need soaking before it goes in to prevent your water going yellow (that doesn't harm the fish though)

 

[Marcos]

Hi Anna,
You need to add a dechlorinator to tap water when you perform a water change. In case you're wondering, I usually change 10% of my water a week and I use Tetra Aquasafe. Also make sure the new water is roughly the same temp as the tank's water.

 

[Annalou]

Marcus, thanks..I do use "tapsafe" when I do a water change but you might answer this...when the instructions say that 1 capful will treat 10 gallons...do I treat the whole 20 gallon tank or should I be treating just the new water?

I have been doing a 25% water change once per month as there is hardly anything in the tank - is this still wrong?

 

[catxx]

just treat the new water. leave it to stand for a little while, even up to a day, and then add it to the tank carefully, warm it up with a spare heater (not hot water) if it's a chilly day. sudden temperature fluctuations can kill fish.

you should do it once a week. never leave it longer. even with that few fish, its for their benefit, if there's food left in the gravel it will rot and produce ammonia and any ammonia in the water will burn the fish (as well as the fishies own poopy).

 

[Annalou]

sorry Marcos - I spelt your name wrong in my reply