Newbie Advice: Help

[babsie94]

Alright, before you read this, know that I know now I did some things wrong. That's why I'm here.

Ok, so I checked the Ammonia/ammonium nitrate/nitrite and pH levels this morning and all was perfect. I checked it, because it was getting cloudy, but someone on this site told me that it was ok because it was a new tank. Just 10 minutes ago, 3 of my tetras literally flipped over and died before my eyes. I hurriedly separated the other two tetras, because one was beginning to flip, and the other was fine, and put them in a bowl. (I have a 12 gallon tank.) I still have 2 dwarf frogs, a betta and 2 cory cats in the tank and they seem fine.

WHAT DO I DO?

Please don't be insulted or angry with me, I honestly believed that I was doing it right, but now I know something is wrong. I'm very upset about my poor fish, and would really love some advice. Some places said I should have a bigger tank, but it was a birthday present and I love it very much. Help?

 

[Blubble37]

okay, start a huge 90% water change right away and continue doing this for a veeery long time... your tank is cycling, i will post you the link (infact i'll put it in my sig for future reference)

 

[babsie94]

Alright. Should I keep the fish in there when I do this? Or put them in the bowl with the tetras?

 

[Blubble37]

keep the fish in the tank, the bowl will only fill up with ammonia over time from the fish, and you dont want to change all the water, otherwise there will be even more of a spike in the ammonia next time it comes up, keep the amonia under 0.25 and you'll be fine

 

[babsie94]

Wait, but the ammonia was fine when i tested it? I'm still doing the water change, but I don't understand. (I'm a wee bit slow.)

 

[phoenixgsd]

no ones gonna tell you off, we've all been there and done the same mistakes, firstly you say your tank is new so its cycling, read up on fish in cycling in the link that blubble gave you, dont add any more fish yet, you will have to do daily water changes with temperature matched dechlorinated water untill it cycles, unfortunatly i dont think neon tetras fair well in new tanks they are apparently quite sensitive

 

[RossC]

Did you cycle the tank before adding fish? Have you dechlorinated the water you used?

 

[phoenixgsd]

how old is your tank and what exactly were your ammonia nitrite and nitrate readings and was the test done using a liquid based kit or the paper strips? sorry for lots of questions,

 

[babsie94]

No problem. Got it for my birthday on Tuesday, didn't cycle (no one told me, FUUUUUU haha) It's the liquid "API freshwater master test kit"
pH: 7.0-7.2
Ammonia: 0 ppm-.25 ppm
Nitrite: 0 ppm
NItrate: 0 ppm

Just for reference here's what I have: Fluval EDGE 12 gallon, with filter, with heater (50w) set at 78, I have tubing/bucket, food for each kind of fish, including freeze dried blood worms, and a host of dechlorinators.

And I just did two 50% water changes right in a row (siphon, fill, siphon, fill) because I couldn't get it to fill another 40 after I did the first one.

Also, (sorry guy) it's not letting me PM? Someone friended me and I can't see it.

 

[Staxx]

what fish do you have?

 

[babsie94]

Now I have a betta, two african dwarf frogs, two cory cats and two tetras

 

[phoenixgsd]

ok, not to worry whats done is done, most prefer a fishless cycle as its easier, but some, me included did a fish in cycle quite succesfully, just be prepared to do large daily water changes for the forseable future

 

[babsie94]

alright. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!

 

[colleen0309]

First of all, welcome to the forum! Second, please retest your tank. It's a new tank with quite a few fish in it. You should be showing some ammonia. Do your test before a water change and follow the directions to the letter. Neon tetras do not do well in a new tank. Bubble is right, lots of fresh, temperature matched, dechlorinated water changes are in order. For the next few weeks, water changes will be your best friend. Good Luck

 

[babsie94]

I am. thanks for all the help.

Also, keep getting a message that says I'm not allowed to use the PM system??? I'm confused.