New Baby Frys! Help! New Tank New Fish!

[momof3c's]

Hello there! I am new to the forum and need fast help.

Just started my new aquarium on Sunday. Let the water, aquasafe, water pump work for 24 hours before I put in my first two fish. (Two mollies Male and Female) I also put in Cycle to help speed up the tank process which was recommeneded by the store. Then on Wednesday, I added four more fish. (two angelfish, two swordtail-male/female) Thursday morning, one angelfish died. I think he was stressed. Stayed inside the castle since he was released. Thursday night the male molly died. Today (Friday) the other angel fish died. Yesterday I did replace the first angel fish that died. This morning I had small frys in the tank. YES, a lot has happened with this newbie's new tank.
I need a lot of expert help and fast before any more fish die!

I am sure that the fish died by high levels of ph in the water because of the # of fish that were being introduced in such a small amount of time. The Pet supply store said it could be done but not push any more fish in so fast. So I need tips on what to do when I add new fish to a tank, what chemicals i should add to get the tank ready. ETC...

My MAJOR concern right now is the frys. I believe that the others had already been eaten before I got up this morning. I have the remaining three in a nursery. But I don't know what species they are. I put both the female molly and swordtail in the nursery separated from each other and the frys. Just in case they were to have more babies. Right now the swordtail is going crazy because she is trying to get to the frys. Does this mean that she is not the mother. They are orange, silver/gray. I have no idea what either is supposed to look like when little. What should I do with these mothers? How long should I wait?

After the frys are born and the mothers are released, how should I feed them in the nursery. Then what should I do?


Now for the water issues and the fish dying. I tested my ph level from our tester that we use from our hot tub. It was high last night 8.3 and my husband put in some ph down that we use for hot tub. Hope that it was okay for the fish. No dead ones since we put ph down in.
This morning the ph level was 7.6 which is ideal for the these community fish, right?
Could there be any other reasons for fish dying other that the ph level being high.

I would really appreciate a fast reply. I hopw that someone can help me.

Thanks!

 

[catxx]

you didn't cycle your tank. your problem is not the PH, but the ammonia, nitrate & nitrite. you're suffering new tank syndrome!

look up cycling on this board, it looks like its too late for fishless cycling!

how large is your tank?

don't trust the LFS you got these guys from, they clearly gave you very bad advice, letting you buy fish that they knew were going to die. they're clearly just after your money!

 

[WILDER]

You have added to many fish to soon, only start of with a least a few hardy fish, i would get your water tested even better to buy liquid test kits of your own, as you need them with a cycling tank, in ammonia,nitrite,nitrate,and ph.
The mother will not look after the fry she will want to eat them, not good for them to be in a cycling tank, i would go to the livebearers section there excellent over there and will give you alot of advice.
The fish are dying due to ammonia poisoning with the cycle.

 

[fishdawg]

vacum the bottom of tank (after u take fry out) then try to get the angel to stay away from bottom of tank because they are not hardy at all. if u keep adding angel fish u will wast alot of money because the amonia will kill them. the swordtails are the same way verry delicate. you have to wait until the whole cycle is done (about 3 months) before the tank is sudeable for angels or swordtails.

 

[Tetras]

It's certainley not fun to lose fish, so you have found the right board.

I'm a newbee myself, and did not do a fishless cycle either, found out about it after on this board.

As Wilder said, invest in a water testing kit, the liquid type not the strips. You will want to know how much ammonia, nitrites and nitrates are, the only way you can truly follow the progress of your cycle, well worth the money, it will be like waiting for a fever to break. I was ecstatic once my ammonia and nitrites came down, and nitrates starting to establish.

Also read up about partial water changes. Personally I did them every day, 10 to 15 %. Somebody more knowledgeble will come along shortly and might say to change more than this.

I have not lost a single fish, my tank is almost cycled, thanks to the people on this forum.

I hope you will have a great time with your fish endevour, and realize that adding fish at this time is the least of your concerns. Getting those lovely water stats after dealing with the water changes is so worth it.

P.s I have used the product cycle in my tank, it came free with my tank. Most people will say that it does not work because the bacteria is in a dormant state, so can't tell you if it is a good product or not, but I don't see the harm in using it if you allready have it.