Not Really New....but Need Help!

[Johann6385]

Hello all,
Just want to say that I've been keeping fish (or at least trying to) for years now. I currently have a 30 gallon tank with filter and heater. The water is kept around 80 degrees, I have a light on about 8 hours a day and the PH is at a good level. The problem is is that my fish keep dying on me. I can't figure out the problem. I see no signs of illness at all, but they just keep dying. I started with a ten gallon tank and have moved up to the new one, although I still had the same problem.

I buy some fish, bring them home and within four to five weeks they are dead. I've tried different stores so I don't think that is it. Some have lasted a few months, but not much longer than that. I feed them about every other day and change some of the water about once a week.

Thanks for any help

 

[waterdrop]

Hi Johann and welcome to TFF

Nice that you've stated your tank size and your background experience. I like to call myself a "Re-Beginner" because I thought I knew a lot from my years having the hobby when I was young. Here on TFF I found out otherwise. There was lots of information I hadn't been exposed to and some of it turned out to be quite fascinating and very helpful.

I think a good way to start would be with water chemistry. I'll assume you've been using what we call a water conditioner when you add tap water. That's a bottled chemical that removes any chlorine or chloramine that the water company uses to kill bacteria in our drinking water.

Do you own a freshwater test kit? Unfortunately, many people use paper test strips and they just aren't worth the paper they are printed on. A good liquid-reagent based test kit is an essential for good fishkeeping, at least until you become extremely experienced and even then I'd argue its a worthwhile tool.

Many of us use and like the API Freshwater Master Test Kit or the Nutrafin Mini-Master Test Kit. There are others that are ok too. Let us know your status regarding this.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[Colin_T]

Besides what Waterdrop has said about water quality and test kits, how do you go about changing the water each week?
Do you use a bucket for the fish only?
How much water do you change?
What colour gravel is in the tank?
Do you use a sponge to clean the glass?
Do you use Windex or anything else to clean the outside of the tank?
Is your heater working correctly. There have been times when people have had similar problems and it turned out to be a faulty heater and thermometer. Perhaps get another thermometer and check the temperature in the tank.
Do you use any fly sprays, hair sprays, deodorants, paint, smoke or release any fumes in the room with the tank?
Do you have any moisturising creams, grease, etc, on your hands before you do work in the tank?
How do you clean the filter and how often do you do it?
What is in the filter?
What ornaments do you have in the tank?
What fish keep dieing?

 

[kcharley]

Hi Johann and welcome.

Like WD I'm a re-beginner (but he's a lot smarter than me.) His advice about learning water quality is spot on. I too was losing fish regularly before I learned the basics of water quality. Forgive me if you already know this, but fish excrete ammonia which is toxic to them. With the right conditions the ammonia is processed first into nitrite (still toxic) and finally nitrate (much less toxic) and certain maintenance procedures really help these conditions.

Please test the water and tell us the results and your maintenance routine. I'll help as best I can and I'm sure the really knowledgeable members will also.

What colour gravel is in the tank?

Colin,

Not to hijack the thread, but help me understand the importance of the gravel color? Thanks.

Greg

 

[Colin_T]

Certain colours of gravel have been implicated in unexplained fish deaths. Mainly blue gravel. It has to do with the paint not drying properly and leaching turps or whatever they use, into the water.
It is uncommon but does happen on occasions and when it does it is a pain to work out. I figured I would just ask early on in case everything else turns out fine

 

[kcharley]

Certain colours of gravel have been implicated in unexplained fish deaths. Mainly blue gravel. It has to do with the paint not drying properly and leaching turps or whatever they use, into the water.
It is uncommon but does happen on occasions and when it does it is a pain to work out. I figured I would just ask early on in case everything else turns out fine

Thanks Colin. I learned something new.