Please Help Quick X

[mrshunt90]

I got my fish tank 4 days ago and was told to get a 20L tank as I am just startig out, after doing some research I found out that I hould have bought a bigger one
We were told to leave the tank for 4days and then get the water checked to see if it was ready for fish, after further reading I have just found out I should have left it a lot longer.
I took a sample of water to pets at home and they tested the water, said it was fine but the PH was a little high so sold me some PHDown and said to ad a small amount and the fish will be fine.
I was advised to get 4 male guppies as I wanted colourful fish. So we put them in the tank as we were instructed at 3pm today.
AT first they smam around te whole tank and explored. But now they are just swimming at the top in one corner, I thought the filter may be traping them in that corner but Ive moved that to the middle now and they are still in that corner. Tey do swim down every now and again but go back up after a few seconds.
Is this normal? Do I need to do anything?
Im discovering more and more that pets at home knew NOTHING!
PLEASE HELP QUICK x

 

[Fishy friend2]

you should take the fish back and properly cycle the tank as there is probably excessive amounts of ammonia in the tank, or you coulkd buy a test kit and have to go through a daily water change routine

 

[mrshunt90]

Taking them back isnt really an option tbh, I dont mind chnging the water really regular, Ive just done a 10% water change and they seem to be swimming more now. How often should I change the water do you think? We also have a free standing light on the side of the tank that they keep swimming to, do you think this may be why they are going to that corner?

 

[Fishy friend2]

about 1 or 2 times a day of 25 percent or more should be okay. or just get a test kit and do water changes every time it goes over 0 ppm..... well, it would be better if you could rehome them as a 20 liter is too small,

 

[mrshunt90]

The staff worker actually told us we could have 6 fish in there!!! What a complete #15###! Im asking for a bigger tank for mothers day. The fish are now going to the bottom alot more since I changed the water and turned the lamp off

 

[Fishy friend2]

a 10 gallon should suffice, just make sure you get a test kit and stay on top of water quality

 

[phoenixgsd]

i started with a 20 lt and a couple of guppies, i lost only one but by following advice on here, i didnt loose any more, i did water changes of 80% once a day, but you do need to get yourself a test kit, the reccomended one is the API master kit, your now doing a fish in cycle there is a whole step by step guide to this on here

 

[mrshunt90]

Wish Id looked on here first, stupidly I took the advice of the pet shop staff who clearly knew nothing! My black and white guppy has now gone to sleep at the bottom of the tank, this is a good sign yeah? I dont want to lose my fishys and am definatly going to get a bigger tank. What fish like to e completely on their own in a tank as when I get a bigger tank I would like to use this one still

 

[phoenixgsd]

dont beat yourself up, we've all made mistakes read here about a fish in cycle http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/224306-fish-in-cycling/

 

[FishBlast]

Wish Id looked on here first, stupidly I took the advice of the pet shop staff who clearly knew nothing! My black and white guppy has now gone to sleep at the bottom of the tank, this is a good sign yeah? I dont want to lose my fishys and am definatly going to get a bigger tank. What fish like to e completely on their own in a tank as when I get a bigger tank I would like to use this one still

Just make sure that they swim around and not stay at top unless hungry. Also watch their fins. If they are held close to body (top fin or tail fins) they are sick and need new clean water. Look out for white spots too.

 

[Rummynose]

Wish Id looked on here first, stupidly I took the advice of the pet shop staff who clearly knew nothing! My black and white guppy has now gone to sleep at the bottom of the tank, this is a good sign yeah? I dont want to lose my fishys and am definatly going to get a bigger tank. What fish like to e completely on their own in a tank as when I get a bigger tank I would like to use this one still

A Betta would be Ok in this size tank. Or some shrimp. But the tank could also be used as a hospital tank or a quarantine tank when you need it!

 

[mrshunt90]

how do I stop them from going to the top? Ive cleaned the water and they are still up in the corner near the filter, do I need a air pump aswell? If I get a new tank can I put the water from this tnk into that one and then add the fish in to it or do I need to put resh water in the nw tank and cycle the water first? x

 

[Rummynose]

Since your tank is not yet cycled it would be better to use fresh, dechlorinated water. You do have dechlorinator, right? The only thing that can be cycled in your tank is the filter, that usually takes 4 - 6 weeks. A cycled filter has 2 types of beneficial bacteria.

The first one is the bacteria that converts Ammonia (from the fish's waste) into Nitrite!

The second one is the bacteria that converts Nitrite into Nitrate.

Once your filter is cycled then you have a cycled tank! A cycled tank will have 0 Ammonia, 0 Nitrite and readings of Nitrate. Usually people keep their Nitrates between 10 - 20! Some people keep it a little higher than that if they have heavily planted tanks!

If your filter does not produce enough ripples at the water surface you could try taking out a small amount of water from your tank, it may help increase the oxygenation of the water!

Also check that the water is not too warm. Warm water holds less oxygen than cold water!