New Memebr With New Tank And Dead Fish. Please Help

[markelva]

Hi

My name is Mark and I recently purchased an Aquastyle 620 90ltr tank.
I did everything i was supposed to and bought all the gear one might need.
I left the tank for a month and was told by a a fish keeping shop to introduce bacteria which I thought was odd.
When I spoke to a friend he said I should not have done this which I was completely uopset with myself for listening to thses guys.
Anyway I did a full water change and left the tank for three days. The nitrate levels were over the level they should be but I was advised to introduce hardy fish to start the cycle.
I purchsed thre sword tails (one male, two females) and three Platies (again one male, two females). The shop said my nitrate and nitrite levels were still too high and said I should do water changes every three days which I did.
This however obviously had some effect as the fish started to develop white spot which I have been treating every other day and have put the temperature up to 29 degrees. I have however lost 4 fish and feel completely demoralised as my son who I initially had done this for is very upset as we wanted and stillwnat to become good fish keepers. I feel like I keep getting confilcting advice and I just want someone to talk me through what I should do for the white spot and also how to get my tank healthy so I feel confident of stocking it with fish as I do not wish to be cruel and put them into a tank of death. Also when should one change the water. Is it every week or every two as again I get conflicting advice.

Best


Mark

 

[markelva]

What i also forgot to say was I initially put a Tetra general tonic in but was told to use WS3 which I have for several days. I also took the carbon filter out so the medication was allowed to circulate the tank, which is now greenish because of medication.
Just so you know I also always put dechlorinator in new water when changing and add more bacteria to replace the one sthe tank would have lost. The tank is about 7 to 8 weeks old now and according to my friend who works in the tropical fish industry will take maybe 6 months to fully settle.


I just don't want you to think I'm some sort of idiot, I'm doing my best but I feel like I'm making the wrong decisions.


M

 

[ZoddyZod]

Firstly - welcome to the forum!

Secondly - don't be hard on yourself. The initial set up of an aquarium in the proper manner is something that not many fish shops seem to tell you about. Lots of us have been in exactly the same situation as you find yourself right now.

Have a good read in the beginners section and pay particular attention to the topics about 'cycling'. Once you've had a good read you will better understand the current situation in your tank and what is required to turn it around. When you've have a read, come back and post here and the members are always very keen to help!

 

[markelva]

Thank you so much.
I will have a good read and I know I will be on here a lot seeking good sound advice.

Best


Mark

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

Hi mark, that's great and welcome to the forum You're in good hands here and no question is too small or "stupid"

 

[markelva]

How often should I use the WS3 and for how long?

Should I put the carbon filter I pulled out initially or should I replace with a brand new one?

Should I replenish the fish I lost to keep the tank cycling properly?

How often should I do a water change in a 90ltr tank?

I've had the temperature up to 29 degrees for 5 days now, when should I put it back to 25 degrees?

I have also noticed very tiny air bubbles in the water and the fish seem to want to swim in the current of my water filter, is this normal?

I have the tank to my knowledge airated very well with a Rena Air 100, is this sufficient for a 90ltr tank or should i go bigger?

 

[phocoena]

i wouldn't add any more fish in.
And keep the carbon filter parts out.

Also invest in a test kit which covers ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. Liquid test kits are better than test strips

How did the fish shop test the levels. Did they test the ammonia level at all?

Ammonia and Nitrite are very toxic. Nitrate levels are not as toxic.

 

[deftuch]

setting up an aquarium PROPERLY is a mammoth task to inexperienced fishkeepers. many people buy a tank and expect to put fish in it straight away. the luckier ones get some advice from their local petshops about how long to leave the tank before adding fish. however it seems now a days only a handfull of people really know how to set up an aquarium properly. it is vital you understand exactly how bacteria is important to the health of fish, also you must fully understand the meaning of cycling and a mature tank, the nitrogen cycle is also something you must know. once you have acknowledged the importance of these, only then can you begin to take on the responsibilty of fishkeeping. the rest will come with experience! always keep active on forums, subscribe to fishkeeping magazines, buy books. fishkeeping isnt just a hobby, its a life!

 

[markelva]

I just want to say thank you for all your advice so far.

The amonia levels were zero.
The Nitrite and Nitrate levels I can tell you when I'm back home.
I have just invested in a proper testing kit which was reccomended so I'II start that now.

I know it sounds stupid but what should I be doing to Cycle my tank with only two fish.
Should I still ad bacteria with every water change?

Obviously the bacteria need to feed on something them selves or they will not survive.


All I want to know is.


If you had two fish which seemed very healthy what would you be doing now on a daily, weekly and monthly basis.

Please advise.


Best

Mark

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

I think at this stage you want to check the water with your test kit daily. If the ammonia or nitrite are over 0 do a water change (even if you're having to do it daily). When you get to the point where your tests show 0 ammonia and nitrite then you can slowly start to add more fish. You add the new fish over time in order to give the bacteria in your filter time to grow to a level that can support all of the fish in your tank. Once all of the levels in your tank are stabilised and you have added all of the fish that you want, you will be able to do just weekly water changes for maintenance.

I think that because you're doing a "fish-in" cycle there isn't much point in adding the filter start (bacteria). All you need to do is watch the levels of ammonia and nitrite and do water changes as needed.

Now, since you have white spot in your tank as well you'll need to add treating for that into what I've said above, making sure to add more medication to compensate for whatever water changes you are doing.

Does that all make sense?

 

[markelva]

Yes absolutely.

As I've been doing the WS3 treament for about 6 days now at intervals of 48 hours and I've had the
temperature up to 29 degrees. How long should I carry on with this as I thought you should only do it for so long.

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

Not sure, sorry, just follow the instructions on the bottle, if the symptoms are still present at the end of the recommended dosage period then...I'm not sure, I'm not very knowledgeable when it comes to diseases.

I'm thinking that if you don't see the white spot any more you're OK to reduce the temperature. The cooler temperatures have more oxygen in the water which is good for your fish (if you have the types that like those temps that is). But then a higher temperature helps to initially grow the bacteria you need in your filter I should probably shut up though lol I'm no good with the illness topic!

 

[markelva]

Thanks anyway

I've done a artial water change and added decholrinator and bacteria. the two fish which are left seem very healthy...touch wood.
I've got substrate sand but it's a ***** hoovering the poo up as the sand gets sucked up as well and I don't want to stress the fish out too much.
I've also noticed there are still a llt of poo on the sand bed. is there a good system one can buy. I have a hose sytem with a strainer attached but I don't rate it too much.

 

[markelva]

I was trying to put a picture up

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

I've only just changed to sand this weekend so haven't cleaned it yet there are two tricks I've been told to use. 1) use a turkey baster to suck up the poop 2) gently swirl the vaccuum an inch or so above you sand to stir the mess up into the water so you can suction them. Hope that works - for both of our sakes!

Your picture didn't work but if you set up a photobucket account and upload the picture there, then post the IMG code on here, that'll work