My Fish Keep Dying!

[Akasha72]

Hey, glad you got it tested. I understand from others on here that those test strips are really inaccurate so it might be an idea to still get your water tested at the fish store just to be sure.
The API master kit is well recommended by the more experienced on here. I had a look in my local pet store and it was £33. Came home and did a search on Ebay and got it for £20 so if you decide to go with that at a later date it's worth shopping around.

There are a lot of guys on here that will say the bacteria in a bottle (stresscoat etc) is a waste of money. Personally I've tried it and it seemed to help so I'll keep on using it.

Getting the tank to cycle is hard work so I'm wishing you lots of luck. I've just lost one of my neon tetra's this afternoon and I'm blaming the similar problems I was having for the last couple of weeks. The ammonia can do long term damage so if any more of your fishies die don't be surpirsed.

Good luck and let us know how it goes - Akasha

 

[phishyphil]

Hello i have just got back, i went to a local fish shop and they tested my water. they said my ammonia was up and my nitrite was up which means my tank is dirty which is cauing my fish to die, so she adviced me to do water changes every other day and to clean the gravel while doing this. then to go back and get it tested again..

but while i was out i got some 6-1 test stipes which were £15 and some stress coat! these fish cost me a fortune!! haha

The Test strips aren't the best too be honest but its a start and will give you a basic understanding of what to look for in your tank. With Ammonia High and Nitrite High, Im pretty sure now you are in another cycle, probably due to the washing of the filter media. All you can do now is ride it out with a "Fish In Cycle". You will need to do a 20-30% Water change every 3-4 Days, And Have the water levels Cheked in a weeks time, BEFORE you do the second water change

There are a lot of guys on here that will say the bacteria in a bottle (stresscoat etc) is a waste of money. Personally I've tried it and it seemed to help so I'll keep on using it.

Hi Akasha. Stress Coat isn't a "Beneficial Bacteria" Solution, it is a Water Dechlorinator like PRIME and NUTRAFIN Dechlor, and It its a good one to be honest So Definatly thumbs up for the stress coat, Your thinking more along the lines of Nutrafin Cycle - which is a "Beneficial Bacteria" which LFS will say cycles your tank, but really doesnt

 

[Akasha72]

Sorry phishyphil I got it mixed up with the API stresszyme I think. I've used both. MY LFS didn't say it would do the job overnight though. They said it would help the bacteria to develop and I still believe there is no harm in using it so long as you don't expect too much. Nothing replaces time and patience though

 

[phishyphil]

 

[the_lock_man]

Hello i have just got back, i went to a local fish shop and they tested my water. they said my ammonia was up and my nitrite was up which means my tank is dirty which is cauing my fish to die, so she adviced me to do water changes every other day and to clean the gravel while doing this. then to go back and get it tested again..

but while i was out i got some 6-1 test stipes which were £15 and some stress coat! these fish cost me a fortune!! haha

I would add my voice to those suggesting that you invest in a liquid test kit - the strips can be inaccurate, I have seen a number of threads on this forum where people have seen false positives tests from strips.

If you do get your water tested again by the LFS, ask them to give you the actual numbers of the results (not just "a bit up" or "fine").