My Fish Are All Dying!

[WILDER]

Strange.
If you tap nitrate reading is 0 it means you can get your nitrate reading alot lower than 40.
I would just keep up with water changes till the ammonia and nitrite reading is 0.
Was the filter brand new, or was there mature filter sponges it it.

 

[turnnidge]

It was brand new.

This is where I'm really lost as when I do the changes yes the levels are lower and can drop down to 0 however its only after 1-2 days it goes up that high in such a short space of time

 

[WILDER]

Ok if the sponges were brand new your tanks still cycling.
It takes longer than two weeks to cycle a tank with fish.
The platys are only small fish so it could take abit longer to cycle your tank.
Don't add anymore fish till the tanks cycled.

 

[turnnidge]

I'm not going to lol dont worry.

I did what I thought the cycle was for a week without fish!

How would I go about now to cycle the tank?

 

[WILDER]

http/www.fishforums.net/content/New-to-t...ease-Read-Here/

 

[turnnidge]

I'm sorry dont want to sound stupid but i really do not get that link I went to fish in cycle and it hasnt given me anything

 

[WILDER]

http/www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/wchem.htm

 

[turnnidge]

so really all I can do is continue to keep my fish and feed them even less, and do changes little and often, and that will hopefully get the tank in the right place?

Do you know how long that may take>?

 

[WILDER]

Always test your water before a water change not after you will get uncorrect results.
All you can do is water changes and increase aeration.
If you have livebearers only salt help when cycling a tank to protect the fish gills.
I would add two tablespoons of salt for now, stir the salt in a jug of tank water till it disolves and add to the tank.

 

[turnnidge]

Oh ok would the salt be ok for the 2 corys?
Ive turned my air stone to full now so hope that will help!

 

[WILDER]

Corys can tolerate abit of salt only add two tablespoons to your tank size.

 

[turnnidge]

ok, how often shall I add the salt?

Thanks ever so much for your help!

 

[WILDER]

You add it now no more than two tablepsoon because of the corys.
The only way you remove salt from a tank is by water changes.
If you still have to use salt for a time you just add the correct amount of salt back to the water removed.

 

[turnnidge]

Woke up this morning and he passed away!

Im really going try and this tank cycled, and let it all settle down hope it wont take too long! Dont want my fish to suffer!

Thank God I'm not on a water meter lol

 

[WILDER]

R.I.P.
Would be wasting your money on fish, and not nice seeing fish suffer during a cycle.
Made the right choice.
Good luck.