Inactive Platys

[vix3n]

I have just set up my first tropical tank and yesterday bought four femaly platys. Am very concerned as they are very inactive and mostly just kind of hanging around at the top of the tank? Is this normal or do I have a problem

 

[gaz gun man]

sounds to me like a problem

Can you give us some tank stats? When you say you just set up your tank, did you cycle it at all?

If the answer is 'no' or 'whats cycling?' then have a look here -

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=277264

I'm guessing you just filled up the tank, left it for a while then added fish right? If so then you have whats called 'new tank syndrome' basically you need to prepare the tank and filter so they can support the fish you add...its all explained in the link above.

In the mean time, you can do a 50% water change, with water conditioner, leave it an hour, then do another 50% change.

You really need to get yourself a liquid based test kit, as they're pretty much essential to new fish-keepers

HTH

 

[OldMan47]

Welcome to the forum Vix3n.
As Gaz gun man said, your tank needs to be properly cycled before adding fish or you need to do lots of big water changes while it cycles after adding fish. The liquid type test kit to test for ammonia and nitrites is an essential tool for beginning a new tank since it will guide you in how much water you need to change and how often.

 

[vix3n]

sounds to me like a problem

Can you give us some tank stats? When you say you just set up your tank, did you cycle it at all?

If the answer is 'no' or 'whats cycling?' then have a look here -

[URL="http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=277264"]http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=277264[/URL]

I'm guessing you just filled up the tank, left it for a while then added fish right? If so then you have whats called 'new tank syndrome' basically you need to prepare the tank and filter so they can support the fish you add...its all explained in the link above.

In the mean time, you can do a 50% water change, with water conditioner, leave it an hour, then do another 50% change.

You really need to get yourself a liquid based test kit, as they're pretty much essential to new fish-keepers

HTH

 

[vix3n]

sounds to me like a problem

Can you give us some tank stats? When you say you just set up your tank, did you cycle it at all?

If the answer is 'no' or 'whats cycling?' then have a look here -

[URL="http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=277264"]http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=277264[/URL]

I'm guessing you just filled up the tank, left it for a while then added fish right? If so then you have whats called 'new tank syndrome' basically you need to prepare the tank and filter so they can support the fish you add...its all explained in the link above.

In the mean time, you can do a 50% water change, with water conditioner, leave it an hour, then do another 50% change.

You really need to get yourself a liquid based test kit, as they're pretty much essential to new fish-keepers

HTH

I filled up the tank added tap safe and filter start and as directed on the filter start leaflet have been testing for nitrates and adding more filter start, all of the water tests again and the ph is at 7.5, the nitrate is at 0.1 and th ammonia is at 0.25 all of which it says are good levels for the fish this afternoon they do seem to have been getting a bit livelier and have fed them just for the first time and they wolfed the food

 

[OldMan47]

The 0.25 ppm of ammonia can be tolerated by fish for a short exposure but they are much better off at zero. The nitrites at 0.1 ppm is OK but again the fish would do better with the levels lower. You will need to keep testing at least daily to see whether or not the levels are rising so that you can do the needed water changes t keep the fish healthy. The highest value of either pollutant that you should ever tolerate is about 0.25 ppm. A large water change before that level is reached is always a good idea. The materials that you have used mean nothing to me so I don't know if it had any effect or not. At a day or two after adding fish to an uncycled tank, I would expect numbers about like yours.

 

[vix3n]

The 0.25 ppm of ammonia can be tolerated by fish for a short exposure but they are much better off at zero. The nitrites at 0.1 ppm is OK but again the fish would do better with the levels lower. You will need to keep testing at least daily to see whether or not the levels are rising so that you can do the needed water changes t keep the fish healthy. The highest value of either pollutant that you should ever tolerate is about 0.25 ppm. A large water change before that level is reached is always a good idea. The materials that you have used mean nothing to me so I don't know if it had any effect or not. At a day or two after adding fish to an uncycled tank, I would expect numbers about like yours.

Hi thanks so much for the advice it is invaluable, they don't tell you much at all do they when you go into the shop and ask for info!!!!!
Do you think I should do a water change now And if so, what percentage should I change and do I leave the fish in the tank when I do this?

 

[OldMan47]

You leave the fish in place but unplug the heater and the filter. Change maybe 50% of the water with newly dechlorinated water of the same temperature. Once done, don't forget to plug in the heater and filter again.

 

[vix3n]

You leave the fish in place but unplug the heater and the filter. Change maybe 50% of the water with newly dechlorinated water of the same temperature. Once done, don't forget to plug in the heater and filter again.

Will do that tonight, thanks again, really appreciate the help