New Fish Owner Needing Help

[Gripper]

Hi I am new to this site and new to the world of tropical fish, thought I had done moth things required but am losing fish help please

 

[KittyKat]

You will need to provide some more information about your setup (dimensions, volume, plants, equipment, water parameters) and symptoms before someone can help you.

 

[Gripper]

Lol ok, I have a 25 l second hand tank that came with filter as my kids were desperate to have tropical fish, I had some of the old owners water too. I added new gravel some decor a heater then topped up the water (treated for chlorine) and left running for 2 weeks. Used test strip to check the quality which was all good then added plant. A week later added 3 fish and within 2 hrs they had died. So I have taken a water sample to pets at home and they said my water quality is really good other than a ph of 7.4 which was a little high and that it was just the tank settling down try more fish, I did and I have lost two of those within 24 hrs. Temp is 78 water is clear, have turned of the small air brick in there as seemed to be throwing the fish everywhere. What next??? Don't want to get more for them just to die

 

[214jay]

To be honest the test strips are a waste of time.  you really need to invest in a liquid test kit (pets at home sell the API master test kit that tests for Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate).
 
Did you accimatise your fish?  The worst thing and biggest killer with new fish is PH shock as most fish shops say dip the bag in the water to match the temperature and throw the fish in.  Really you need to slowly add small amounts of your tank water to the bag to slowly match the PH for the fish.  knowing the PH of the fish shop water and your water helps as it lets you know how long to acclimatise them for, ideally a few hours.  Also what fish did you add?  Some are more sensitive!  The air brick shouldn't throw fish around if they are healthy. 
 
Lastly, there are not many fish at all that can go in a 25L tank, most will throw your parameters through the roof very quickly.

 

[KittyKat]

What filter do you have in there and what have you done with it?
 
pH of 7.4 if not high at all. In fact, it's pretty average. I've had everything from around 5.0 to 9.0 in my tanks over the years
 
You probably shouldn't pay too much attention to anyone with a "just try more fish, in case they don't die" attitude.

 

[214jay]

 
You probably shouldn't pay too much attention to anyone with a "just try more fish, in case they don't die" attitude.

Sounds like the advice I hear a national chain LFS offering to most customers...sigh

 

[Gripper]

Ok I guessed the strips were rubbish so am getting a liquid test delivered with shop doing water test till it arrives, I placed the fish in the bag in the water for 20 mins the added a little tank water left for ten mins, repeated then released.
I didn't think to ask the ph of the shop water tho they tested my water then recommended 3 guppys 2 females 1 male ( this is the second time) the first shop I went to which wasn't pets at home sold me an algae eater a guppy and one I can't remember the name off, all recommended . Algae eater seems happy tho

 

[daizeUK]

Another thought to throw in the mix... did you or the previous owner clean the tank or equipment with chemicals e.g. soap or bleach?

 

[Ninjouzata]

Did you mess with the filter media at all? If that has been answered then oops 

 

[Gripper]

Will try to answer all as there is a delay as I am new and the moderators are doing their thing when I asked for the tank I asked for it not to be cleaned so as far as I am aware there are no chemicals there. I was sold a clear seal 200 with the tank but the top valve ( sorry really am new to this) was really badly aggravating the water ( I saw it push one of the first fish into the side) so I have added upon advice of pets at home an elite stingray 5, they told me to run the two for two weeks for the bacteria side of things before taking out the old one, to stop the huge flow from the first I have diverted it with air hose. Hope that makes sense.
The said my ph at 7.4 was a little high so I am pleased I have that right at least
Fish crazy, is my tank to small?? Should I be giving up now? I only have one that size to ensure it is safe for the children to watch but not play with as I am a childminder,

 

[daizeUK]

Even if the filter has lost its bacteria I doubt that would kill 3 fish in two hours.    My line of thinking is that the problem here is either chemical or the fish are too sensitive/unhealthy.

 

[Gripper]

I didn't touch the filter other that to move its position and pets at home are telling me my water is fine, I really am at a loss but am going to ignore the get some more fish comment they gave me till I have it sorted, thank you all for helping me

 

[Ninjouzata]

Even if the filter has lost its bacteria I doubt that would kill 3 fish in two hours.    My line of thinking is that the problem here is either chemical or the fish are too sensitive/unhealthy.

That's true, sorry for my silly question I did just want to make sure though as it would stink if he lost the bacteria and having to deal with this situation too.

 

[Gripper]

Should I be turning the air block back on?

 

[KittyKat]

Will try to answer all as there is a delay as I am new and the moderators are doing their thing when I asked for the tank I asked for it not to be cleaned so as far as I am aware there are no chemicals there. I was sold a clear seal 200 with the tank but the top valve ( sorry really am new to this) was really badly aggravating the water ( I saw it push one of the first fish into the side) so I have added upon advice of pets at home an elite stingray 5, they told me to run the two for two weeks for the bacteria side of things before taking out the old one, to stop the huge flow from the first I have diverted it with air hose. Hope that makes sense.

 
That should say "6-8 weeks", not "2 weeks"… the alternative is to move all the filter media from the old filter into the new one (at which point the old filter can be removed).

Should I be turning the air block back on?

 
If the filter lets out the water across the surface of the tank, you should not need an airpump.