Just Started A New Tank & Need Some Help

[BobPant]

Hi, I'm relatively new at this so I'm looking for some advise if anyone can help. We have a 20 gallon tank and have just started to add fish. The pH is about 7.4 temp 75 degrees. Two weeks ago we bought 4 neon tetra's and they are doing well. I didn't realize, nor was I told by the shopkeeper, the dangers of not cycling the tank first. What should I do to prevent fish loss? The tank belongs to my young son, and I'd lke to keep the fish loss at a minimum. I know I should check the amonia levels....I'll do that later tonight, but what else?

Part two....after the tank cycles we would like to add more fish so here's my question. What fish would be a nice addition to the tetras?

Any help would be greatly appreciated
thanks
bob

 

[Chri$]

as the lfs did not tell you about cycling the tank ask them if you can take them back. Then do a fishless cycle then add fish. i's not likely that the fish will survive if left in the tank. did you set the tank up and add the fish straight away??

 

[cujoho78]

Hi. I'll try to offer some advice. It's good that you know about ammonia. Ammonia comes from fish respiration, waste, and rotten/ uneaten food and plant matter. Good bacteria grow (primarily in your filter material) and convert the ammonia to nitrIte which is also toxic to fish. The nitrIte is then converted to nitrAte which isn't of much concern until it gets to very high levels. What you need to do is get test kits for ammonia, nitrIte and nitrAte. I would test the water daily for ammonia and nitrIte. If you see the levels getting to 0.25 or higher then you should change some of the water (10-20%). When you change the water, vacuum the gravel to suck up any uneaten food and waste. I would also test for nitrates on a weekly basis. Ideally you want to keep nitrates low as well, (below 20ppm; lower is better) keeping in mind that you won't see nitrates until the tank has cycled. If you monitor the water daily, you will see the ammonia rise, then fall, then the nitrItes will rise and fall (both to zero), and then the nitrates will rise and you control that by doing water changes. This whole process will take a matter of weeks, not days to accomplish so if you wish to keep the fish then you must be committed to the maintenance. Once the tank has cycled, you can back off on the testing and water changes to weekly or bi-weekly. Also keep in mind that neon tetras are not known for being the best fish to cycle a tank with. Water changes are your friend. Don't over feed. Don't forget dechlorinator and try to keep the fresh water added at the same temperature and pH as the old water. With some luck the fish will be ok.
As for other fish, you are limited by the size of your tank, but there are many options. Neon tetras, as many fish like to be kept in groups of 5+ so i would add a couple more to your group when the time comes. Other than that, you can add almost any other tetra that doesn't get too big, harlequin rasboras, corydoras catfish, guppys, mollys, platies etc. etc. Research the fish first to make sure they won't get too big. You are limited to about 20" of fish (total length minus tail) of the fish's adult size.
Good luck with your tank... I'm sure you'll be ok in the long run. If you have more questions feel free to ask. I would be happy to help as others would also.

 

[BobPant]

Hi. I'll try to offer some advice. It's good that you know about ammonia. Ammonia comes from fish respiration, waste, and rotten/ uneaten food and plant matter. Good bacteria grow (primarily in your filter material) and convert the ammonia to nitrIte which is also toxic to fish. The nitrIte is then converted to nitrAte which isn't of much concern until it gets to very high levels. What you need to do is get test kits for ammonia, nitrIte and nitrAte. I would test the water daily for ammonia and nitrIte. If you see the levels getting to 0.25 or higher then you should change some of the water (10-20%). When you change the water, vacuum the gravel to suck up any uneaten food and waste. I would also test for nitrates on a weekly basis. Ideally you want to keep nitrates low as well, (below 20ppm; lower is better) keeping in mind that you won't see nitrates until the tank has cycled. If you monitor the water daily, you will see the ammonia rise, then fall, then the nitrItes will rise and fall (both to zero), and then the nitrates will rise and you control that by doing water changes. This whole process will take a matter of weeks, not days to accomplish so if you wish to keep the fish then you must be committed to the maintenance. Once the tank has cycled, you can back off on the testing and water changes to weekly or bi-weekly. Also keep in mind that neon tetras are not known for being the best fish to cycle a tank with. Water changes are your friend. Don't over feed. Don't forget dechlorinator and try to keep the fresh water added at the same temperature and pH as the old water. With some luck the fish will be ok.
As for other fish, you are limited by the size of your tank, but there are many options. Neon tetras, as many fish like to be kept in groups of 5+ so i would add a couple more to your group when the time comes. Other than that, you can add almost any other tetra that doesn't get too big, harlequin rasboras, corydoras catfish, guppys, mollys, platies etc. etc. Research the fish first to make sure they won't get too big. You are limited to about 20" of fish (total length minus tail) of the fish's adult size.
Good luck with your tank... I'm sure you'll be ok in the long run. If you have more questions feel free to ask. I would be happy to help as others would also.

Thank you both, that was helpful. I did get a test kit and recorded ammonia = .25, Nitrite = .5, ph = 7.8 (I bought a ph reducer...and applied the first set of drops), nitrates = 20. I'm doing a 15% change now. As the ammonia and nitrites drop, what should the nitrates top out at before a water change?

Thanks again
bob

 

[cujoho78]

Hi. Your pH at 7.4 or 7.8 is fine. There's no need to worry about it or attempt to change it. By changing it, you will stress the fish. If you really want to play with the pH, i would wait until the cycle has completed. That way you will not put the fish under extra stress. Try to keep the ammonia and nitrite as low as possible. When either of the numbers gets to 0.25, change some water. It sounds like the cycle is doing well. The nitrAtes aren't as toxic as the others so it won't kill your fish if the nitrates get up towards 100ppm but usually people reccomend 10-20ppm or less. My tank usually hovers around the 10ppm level.
Glad to hear that everything is going well so far.

 

[monkeyman]

I agree with my other fellow posters... Dont worry about your pH, jus concentrate on your ammonia levels for now. You have been given the best advice possible me thinks! Good luck with your tank both now & in the future!

 

[RubyJewell]

I remember the excitement of my first tank, and no I hadn't heard about fishless cycles then either. The knowledgable chap at my LFS recommended Platys as the best fish to cycle a tank.

Neons are lovely little fish, however I have found them to be fin-nibblers: I tried a few times to keep a male guppy (with the longest, waviest tail I could find!) but they rarely lasted more than a week. I never saw the neons nibbling but was advised they do their mischief at night.