New Tank

[Raiden]

Hi guys

I’m new to the site I just want to firstly start by saying I really found some of your topics helpful in setting up my first tank, great advice out there thank you.
Ok I recently purchased my first 118l comet goldfish tank, my lfs was helpful to sell me some used gravel that I washed with some tap water that I conditioned using AquaSafe. Tank setup running for little over 1week had the fish in for 1weeks.
My fish; one is a little slimmer than the other but started chasing the other (Bigger in body width not length) randomly around in the tank and poking it around the abdomen, this behaviour started 4days ago. I had a close look and I don’t see any bite marks.
……………………………………………………..
I submitted a water sample and got the result back today;
PH = 6.8
GH = 6 degrees
KH = 6 degrees
Nitrates = 10 parts per million
Nitrites = 0 NO3
Ammonia = 0.5parts per million
Total results solids 100 parts per million
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Please advise.

Regards,

Ryan

 

[CezzaXV]

Okay, a massive water change is in order (as big as you can while still keeping the fish underwater) to get that ammonia down.

Once that's done, start looking for a liquid test kit and read up on fish-in cycling. I'm afraid to say you've got a lot of work ahead of you, though you're by no means the first and definitely won't be the last beginner who ends up in this situation.

 

[Raiden]

Thanks CezzaXV

I’ll keep my water changes high until I get my ammonia down, starting with another one tonight. I spent a big deal on reading on the cycling process, for some reason my lps advised against buying a kit and rather me take in water samples. On the water results I posted I was advised to add a little aquarium salt not to do an immediate water change?

Also let me know if I should pay any thought to the behaviour I posted, most of the times they just swim from end to end and seem happy, very active with a huge appetite?

I must say I enjoy the work put in a first setup, really don’t mind that.

 

[OldMan47]

Welcome to the forum Raiden.
As CezzaXV said, you want to do your own testing. It will be guiding your actions daily for the next few weeks and you will not want to run to the store that often. You are barely in the safe range only because your pH is low but you don't want to count on that and the water change will take care of the ammonia properly for you. Depending on what salt the shop sold you, it may or may not affect your pH. I would leave it on the shelf and just do a water change.