Newbie

[blue musketeer]

Hi all,

I have just inherited a 10 gallon tank which is already stocked.

Of the original fish I have lost several, but now have:

1 Molly
2 dwarf gourami
2 yellow guppies
2 turqoise guppies
2 snails

I have just bought a water test kit and run my first test:

pH - 8.0
Ammonia - 2.0
Nitrite - 5
Nitrate - 5

The aquarium has now been set up for 3 weeks at my house. The water has been 1/2 changed twice, but the water quality here (Phoenix, Arizona) is not particularly good. I use a biological filter, a dechlorinator (with water changes), an aerator and live plants.

I was told that I may be overfeeding my fish. I feed them once a day. The literature suggests to feed enough that "all the food is eaten within several minutes", however the fish are vigorously eating what I give them within 1 minute. I did notice though that some of the food seems to sink to the stones fairly quickly and I am concernerd that this may be the cause of the problems.

Can anyone offer any advice

 

[Flunter]

Firstly, you are NOT over feeding. Once a day is fine, as long as what you give them is eaten within 3 minutes, all is well. Any bottom feeders will soon pick off any un-eaten food.

Your nitrites are a little high but this will soon come down as your tank matures. Continue with the regular water changes and all will be well.

 

[blue musketeer]

Any bottom feeders will soon pick off any un-eaten food.

I am afraid that I don't know if any of my fish are bottom feeders. Should I look at adding one to the tank? If so, what should I choose?

 

[blue musketeer]

After a little reading on the web I don't think my fish are bottom feeders (but I could be wrong so please correct me)... in a tropical community like my tank should I look at introducing a Cory?

Thanks for helping.

-BM-

 

[voo]

You're ammonia and nitrite readings are very high!!
What did you do with the old filter when you got the tank?

It looks like your tank is cycling, so you need to be doing water changes daily till those readings go down. Look at doing 10-20% daily water changes, else the fish are likely to die.

I'd wait until the ammonia and nitrite readings get to 0 before adding new fish.

Cory's are bottom feeders, but i think that might overstock your tank. Maybe look at getting 3-4 kuhli loaches.

 

[blue musketeer]

Thanks for the info.

The previous filter was damaged and the previous owner did not want to go to the expense of replacing it.... hence the tank arrived at my doorstep!

I will start doing daily water changes and see what happens.