New To The Hobby And Deaths A Plenty

[shropshiregirl]

finnally sorted my tank, took back the gourami and the rainbow fish back to and have now found myself a really helpful supplier.
my tank has been set up a month now and it has just settled, so i added some neons and some plattys early last week, but guess what - yes int he 3 days that i was away i have lost 6 neons and a guppie and i'm flumaxed as to why.
any suggestions??

 

[lilfishie]

neons and guppies a very sensitive these days due to inbreeding, what are your water stats?

 

[shropshiregirl]

neons and guppies a very sensitive these days due to inbreeding, what are your water stats?

no2 <0.3mg/l
ph 7.5
alkalinity180

i did a small 10l water change this am couse there were some fingure print like marks on the inside walls of the tank, but in fairness the no2 was the same then as now

 

[MessyMan]

you should have kept the gourami.

 

[Tessla]

If your test is showing the presence of nitrites, then your tank hasn't finished cycling. I'd hold off on adding any more fish until you have zero ammonia and nitrites. Can you get readings for ammonia and nitrates?

Also, what is your current stocking situation? Species and numbers of fish would be very helpful. According to your profile you have a 126 liter tank (33 US gallons) with guppies, rainbow fish (rehomed), clown loaches and a large gourami (rehomed). The clown loaches should be rehomed as well if you haven't already as they get much too large for your tank.

 

[vinylman]

Yes, what do mean by 'the tank has settled' ?.

 

[rdd1952]

As Tessla mentioned, I strongly suspect your tank isn't cycled and you have high leels of ammonia which are causing your problems. What type test kit are you using, liquid or strips?

 

[shropshiregirl]

If your test is showing the presence of nitrites, then your tank hasn't finished cycling. I'd hold off on adding any more fish until you have zero ammonia and nitrites. Can you get readings for ammonia and nitrates?

Also, what is your current stocking situation? Species and numbers of fish would be very helpful. According to your profile you have a 126 liter tank (33 US gallons) with guppies, rainbow fish (rehomed), clown loaches and a large gourami (rehomed). The clown loaches should be rehomed as well if you haven't already as they get much too large for your tank.

THANKS, I HAVE 5 GUPPIE, 3 NEON TETRA AND 4 PLATTY. I LOST THE CLOWN LOCH, REHOMED THE RAINBOW FISH AND GOURAMI ON THE ADVISE OF MY NEW SUPPLIER. WHO RECOMENDED THAT I SHOULD ONLY NEED TO KEEP AN EYE ON THE NO2 AND THE PH....

THE NITRATE READS APROX 40MG/L PPM CAN'T BE CERTAIN ON THE AMMONIA

I AM FINDING THAT THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT OPINIONS ON HOW BEST TO KEEP FISH - IT APPEARS THAT THERE IS NO HARD FAST RULE THAT IS STANDARD

As Tessla mentioned, I strongly suspect your tank isn't cycled and you have high leels of ammonia which are causing your problems. What type test kit are you using, liquid or strips?

LIQUID TETRA TEST NO2 NITRITE

 

[rdd1952]

I AM FINDING THAT THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT OPINIONS ON HOW BEST TO KEEP FISH - IT APPEARS THAT THERE IS NO HARD FAST RULE THAT IS STANDARD

The one thing that is hard fast is that ammonia will kill your fish. If you don't have an ammonia test kit, please get one. With the reading you have for nitrite, I suspect your ammonia is very high which is extremely lethal especially at your pH as ammonia becomes more toxic as the pH rises.

 

[Yazan]

Yeah rdd is right.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

yeah definately need to test for ammonia, the presence of nitrites means your tank is still cycling, have a read of this topic which should explain more

 

[-germ-]

Make sure you are doing 20% water changes daily and that your tap-water is properly treated....
When you buy your ammonia tests get some Seachem prime to de-toxify your ammonia and nitrite until you decide what your going to do, even better get that plus a SeaChem filter pad, i forget the name of it, it'll be around £15 and explains on the packet that it can be cleaned every 6 months or so in bleach. Mentions 500% better filtration of something on the packet, just to give you an idea of what your looking for. It works!
Well it did for me....

 

[-germ-]

Its a PuriGen filter pad made by SeaChem.
(Sorry for second post but i always muck up my edits.)

 

[rdd1952]

I would stay away from the Purigen filter as it says it "removes protiens, nitrites and nitrates, ammonia, and a broad spectrum of organics". If it removes ammonia and nitrite, your tank will never cycle and you will be dependent on using this filter or chemicals forever. The Prime is fine as it only detoxifies ammonia but leaves ammonium which will still allow your bacteria colony to form.

I'm not certain about Prime. Their website say that it removes ammonia but later says it detoxifies it. I don't know how it can do both. You really don't want anything that removes ammonia.

 

[-germ-]

I'm not certain about Prime. Their website say that it removes ammonia but later says it detoxifies it. I don't know how it can do both. You really don't want anything that removes ammonia.

It detoxifies, definately.
The PuriGen is renewable via bleaching so it shouldn't be hard to keep going and does everything needed for the tank. The only problem is it limits your plant choice due to extremely low/no nitrates but if you stick to plants suitable for fast flowing water like giant vallisneria, java fern etc. you'll have happy plantage.
Personally i'm going to stick to the filter pad as, as long as i maintain it well it should prevent any problems with the toxins, spikes, bacteria loss etc associated with bacteria filtration. It also has my tank water so clear its unbelievable. But i am having to keep up with regular testing, just in case it isn't as effective as it says.
Shropgirl, rdd knows a heck of alot more abouth fish than me and i'm personally taking a chance by keeping to the PuriGen as its pretty much an unknown quantity. I would, in your position follow his advice (thats not me being funny rdd) but i'd definately get some Prime in the meantime.
Peas.....