New To Forum Hello All
- Thread starter nelson72
- Start date
Truck
UKAPS
how long has the tank been setup? its overstocked as it is...
stang1
A smile costs nothing :)
How long has the tank been set up and what are the tank measurements?
Truck
UKAPS
do you know about cycling?
Truck
UKAPS
right, youve added loads of fish too soon, i suggest you return all og them tommorow, then go and read the fishless cycling thread in the newbie section
Truck
UKAPS
what you dont belive in it? or you dont understand it?
double dutch to me
the shop who sold me the tank etc gave me a liquid to add to the tap water once the tank was filled and run filter and heater for a week and all will be ready for new fish and this is what I have done. They advised me on the fish amount also?
double dutch to me
the shop who sold me the tank etc gave me a liquid to add to the tap water once the tank was filled and run filter and heater for a week and all will be ready for new fish and this is what I have done. They advised me on the fish amount also?
the shop who sold me the tank etc gave me a liquid to add to the tap water once the tank was filled and run filter and heater for a week and all will be ready for new fish and this is what I have done. They advised me on the fish amount also?
double dutch to me
the shop who sold me the tank etc gave me a liquid to add to the tap water once the tank was filled and run filter and heater for a week and all will be ready for new fish and this is what I have done. They advised me on the fish amount also?
stang1
A smile costs nothing :)
Sadly, you've not been given the best advice. It is very rare for a tank to cycle in one week, generally takes at least 2-3 weeks.
The liquid is probably dechlorinater and only removes chlorine and chloramine from your tap water. You need to let the bacteria build up in your filter either by using ammonia or prawns. The bacteria built up in your filter will help break down the waste produced by fish.
It is worth investing in a liquid test kit or asking your lfs to test your water and give you the results.
If you can, take the fish back to the shop and let the tank cycle. Failing that, you will need to do water changes of about 25% daily for the next few days.
I strongly recommend reading the article about fishless cycling for the sake of your fish.
The liquid is probably dechlorinater and only removes chlorine and chloramine from your tap water. You need to let the bacteria build up in your filter either by using ammonia or prawns. The bacteria built up in your filter will help break down the waste produced by fish.
It is worth investing in a liquid test kit or asking your lfs to test your water and give you the results.
If you can, take the fish back to the shop and let the tank cycle. Failing that, you will need to do water changes of about 25% daily for the next few days.
I strongly recommend reading the article about fishless cycling for the sake of your fish.
Ok, fishless cycling isn't for everyone i'll appreciate that, but, you do need to look after the fish in your tank, and make sure that the ammonia and nitrite levels don't increase to a dangerous level. Unfortunately in such a small tank these are going to build up very quickly. What do you find garbage? Cycling in general or fishless cycling. Either way you need to get the cycle going and mature your filter, you can either do this one of three ways, With fish, Without fish (fishless cycling with ammonia) or clone an existing mature filter. You're cycling with fish, and a high fish level at that but we'll see what we can do to help.
Do you have a water test kit. If so you need to test daily for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH if you want. If you notice any of the first two (ammonia or nitrite) when you do a water test you should do a 50% water change. Do this daily till you've had a spike of ammonia and nitrite, and you notice your nitrates increase. Your tank is then cycled. It's not easy on the fish by any means and don't be too surprised if you loose a couple, but it's unfortunately something you'll have to go through now you have the fish unless you're prepared to return them (and the LFS is prepared to have them back!) There's loads of people here who can help and offer advice. Just feel free to ask.
Do you have a water test kit. If so you need to test daily for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH if you want. If you notice any of the first two (ammonia or nitrite) when you do a water test you should do a 50% water change. Do this daily till you've had a spike of ammonia and nitrite, and you notice your nitrates increase. Your tank is then cycled. It's not easy on the fish by any means and don't be too surprised if you loose a couple, but it's unfortunately something you'll have to go through now you have the fish unless you're prepared to return them (and the LFS is prepared to have them back!) There's loads of people here who can help and offer advice. Just feel free to ask.
I will take your advice
Its pointless taking the fish back because they are the ones who advised me, I hope the welfare of the fish can be improved before its too late, any more advice please?
are you saying not to clean the filter also? I was told to wash this out weekly?
Its pointless taking the fish back because they are the ones who advised me, I hope the welfare of the fish can be improved before its too late, any more advice please?
are you saying not to clean the filter also? I was told to wash this out weekly?
Just do the tests and the water changes for now and see how you go. it can be confusing at first, all the cycling and that, but eventually it becomes second nature, promise! That said, even without doing tests I know there will be ammonia and nitrite building up so a daily 25% water change at least till you can get a test kit and find out for sure would be worthwhile.
stang1
A smile costs nothing :)
Your filter only needs cleaning every 3-4 weeks and only in dirty tank water. Never use tap water as it will destroy most of the bacteria. When you do a water change, squeeze the foam from your filter a few times in the dirty water that you have removed from the tank. You don't want the sponge to be really clean, just make sure it's not clogged.
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