Killer Aquarium?

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

Is there such a thing as a “killer aquarium”?

Now the background;

I originally used the tank to house fire bellied newts; I then upgraded their tank and gave the tank to my other fish. I had 3 guppies and 10 shrimp in a small tank; I upgraded their tank (to a cycled tank – water stats were fine etc). 6 days later I was down to 2 shrimp (two of the guppies were a little ill but the third one was fine) – anyway I think I lost the shrimp down to my stupidity (i.e. being ammonia in the water from the guppies) – I don’t think there could have been anything in the tank from the newts as the shrimp used to live with the newts, until I got them their own tank.

I then cleaned the tank, boiled the gravel etc and put fresh water in; I bought a betta; he was sulky from the moment he went in the tank (cycled, water stats fine), he was just at the bottom of the tank – I thought it was just because he was new and a bit shy and he was eating fine); he died on the 3rd day. I bought another betta on Saturday (water stats fine, cycled tank); Sunday morning I took him back to the shop as he was miserable, he had gotten white spot (I’ve never had white spot in the tank so it obviously came from the shop), his lips were swollen and he was just miserable – I took him back because he will have a better chance at the shop and because I think there is something wrong with my tank.

I don’t think the problem is my water supply, as I have goldfish, pleco, a betta and newts in the water (different tanks).

I don’t know if I’ve had bad luck with the two betta because I bought them from the same shop and maybe they have something in their water/problems with the fish from the breeder etc (I actually vowed never to buy anything from that shop – I bought the guppies; the betta and the second one I took back from there; their tanks aren’t brilliant but they have a good selection). I was also wondering could it just be too much stress on the fish; i.e. they get them in on a Friday and I’ve bought all of mine on a Saturday.

What have I done wrong? Could I have a problem with internal parasites; do they survive in the tank? How would I get rid of them? Have I done something else wrong? Or is it the quality of the fish?

My plan at the minute is to get a test kit (ran out after the weekend), dry the tank out for a week or so and basically start again; I’ve got new gravel just in case; my boyfriend suggested getting a new heater (as the guppies/shrimp were fine until I got a heater; but it’s new as well) – but I had the tank running with the heater on empty with two thermometers and the temperature was pretty accurate, he was wondering if the heater was doing something to the water (besides heating it up). I plan on putting the ornaments (new) and plant (silk and new) in boiling water to try and get rid of anything.

What are my options?

EDIT: When I had the guppies in the temperature was 22celsius (they were in a coldwater tank at around 20 celsius); I planned on having them in at 22 for a week and then upping the temperature again (just so it wasn't too much of a shock); when I had the Betta in the temperature was around 24-25celsius. Everyone was acclimatised properly.

Also sorry for the long post but I wanted to try and get everything in

 

[roadmaster]

I believe there may be a problem with water parameters and what you consider a (cycled) tank.
You say there might have been ammonia problem responsible for death of guppies. In a (cycled) ,or mature tank there should be no ammonia = zero ,same for nitrites.
Unless you have a mature, disease free,existing tank that you can borrow filter material from to help seed the new tank(s) it will take three to six weeks for a tank to (cycle).
Always take care not to clean filter material in tapwater containing chlorine or,, replace all of the filter material at one time in newly established aquariums.The good bacteria needed for the tank to cycle is found mostly in the filter as well as in the substrate,on the decorations,the glass,plants,and also wood. boiling all of this will kill nasties but also kill the bacteria that is needed as well.
If filters are new,as stated,,it will take three to six weeks before the bacteria can develop assuming it has a source of food = fish food,fish poop,or raw liquid ammonia on daily basis.
Would perhaps not buy anymore fish from a store where tanks are not kept clean.

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

I believe there may be a problem with water parameters and what you consider a (cycled) tank.
You say there might have been ammonia problem responsible for death of guppies. In a (cycled) ,or mature tank there should be no ammonia = zero ,same for nitrites.
Unless you have a mature, disease free,existing tank that you can borrow filter material from to help seed the new tank(s) it will take three to six weeks for a tank to (cycle).
Always take care not to clean filter material in tapwater containing chlorine or,, replace all of the filter material at one time in newly established aquariums.The good bacteria needed for the tank to cycle is found mostly in the filter as well as in the substrate,on the decorations,the glass,plants,and also wood. boiling all of this will kill nasties but also kill the bacteria that is needed as well.
If filters are new,as stated,,it will take three to six weeks before the bacteria can develop assuming it has a source of food = fish food,fish poop,or raw liquid ammonia on daily basis.
Would perhaps not buy anymore fish from a store where tanks are not kept clean.

I said the death of the shrimp may have been caused by ammonia from the dead guppies (one of the guppies was ill anyway).

I have 3 other tanks in the house with lovely cycled filters; it just seems to be this one that is the problem.

I’m definitely not buying any more fish from them, don’t worry. There is a fish shop right next to my house, BUT they have bad opening house, the owners have attitude problems and are quite rude (they have a lot of negative reviews)…however I went for a look in the other day and their tanks were spotless and really healthy looking. I’m going to strip the tank down; and basically start from the beginning again I think.

 

[roadmaster]

I believe there may be a problem with water parameters and what you consider a (cycled) tank.
You say there might have been ammonia problem responsible for death of guppies. In a (cycled) ,or mature tank there should be no ammonia = zero ,same for nitrites.
Unless you have a mature, disease free,existing tank that you can borrow filter material from to help seed the new tank(s) it will take three to six weeks for a tank to (cycle).
Always take care not to clean filter material in tapwater containing chlorine or,, replace all of the filter material at one time in newly established aquariums.The good bacteria needed for the tank to cycle is found mostly in the filter as well as in the substrate,on the decorations,the glass,plants,and also wood. boiling all of this will kill nasties but also kill the bacteria that is needed as well.
If filters are new,as stated,,it will take three to six weeks before the bacteria can develop assuming it has a source of food = fish food,fish poop,or raw liquid ammonia on daily basis.
Would perhaps not buy anymore fish from a store where tanks are not kept clean.

I said the death of the shrimp may have been caused by ammonia from the dead guppies (one of the guppies was ill anyway).

I have 3 other tanks in the house with lovely cycled filters; it just seems to be this one that is the problem.

I’m definitely not buying any more fish from them, don’t worry. There is a fish shop right next to my house, BUT they have bad opening house, the owners have attitude problems and are quite rude (they have a lot of negative reviews)…however I went for a look in the other day and their tanks were spotless and really healthy looking. I’m going to strip the tank down; and basically start from the beginning again I think.

In a cycled tank,it would indeed be a small tank for a couple guppies to create ammonia levels to cause worry in my opinion.
Is as you say quite possible that sick fish introduced some pathogen to the tank.
The other cycled tanks you have should make the process easier and a bit quicker when you go to set up the "Death Tank " after giving it a good clean.

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

In a cycled tank,it would indeed be a small tank for a couple guppies to create ammonia levels to cause worry in my opinion.
Is as you say quite possible that sick fish introduced some pathogen to the tank.
The other cycled tanks you have should make the process easier and a bit quicker when you go to set up the "Death Tank " after giving it a good clean.

It's a 7.4 gallon tank. Personally I don't think it was ammonia from the guppies; I was just randomly clutching at straws really.

'death tank' is a better name than 'killer aquarium'. I found a good site about sanitizing the tank; I then need to leave it dry a few days and then start the cycling process again - it may be a pain but if I start from scratch then I can be sure what I am doing rather than picking it up from somewhere in the middle. I'll get a good bacteria squeeze from my goldfish tank.