Plese help

[newhobby]

I am a new fish hobbyist and also new to this site. I have a problem with my fish tank. A few months ago someone gave me a 29 gal tank with fish included. With the tank came a catfish, an angel fish a slver dollar and a very large (about 15 inches) pleco. I gave the pleco away because he was way too big for the tank and he kept fighting with the catfish. I have since bought a male and female swordtail. I think my little girl is pregnant (I will address that in a sec). But my problem is that about a week ago (also same time I got rid of pleco) I cleaned the tank and changed some of the water. As of today, the tank still has not cleared up. I check the PH and it was a bit low, so I brought it up. When I look at the tank close up to the glass, I can see tiny tiny little particles floating around in the water. What do I do now to fix it. Now my other question is about my female swordtail. I know that she is supposed to get a gravid spot and i just want to be sure I am identifying it correctly. She has a triangular shaped spot in the lower middle part of her body. Is that where the gravid spot is located. Not near the tail right? Can anyone help me. Thanks alot.

 

[Angel Lady]

I would try doing another water change of about 20 percent and see if this helps. How dod you adjust the ph??Because you can do more harm than good if you use chemicals. You can raise your ph by adding baking soda. This is the safest way.

 

[newhobby]

I am a new fish hobbyist and also new to this site. I have a problem with my fish tank. A few months ago someone gave me a 29 gal tank with fish included. With the tank came a catfish, an angel fish a slver dollar and a very large (about 15 inches) pleco. I gave the pleco away because he was way too big for the tank and he kept fighting with the catfish. I have since bought a male and female swordtail. I think my little girl is pregnant (I will address that in a sec). But my problem is that about a week ago (also same time I got rid of pleco) I cleaned the tank and changed some of the water. As of today, the tank still has not cleared up. I check the PH and it was a bit low, so I brought it up. When I look at the tank close up to the glass, I can see tiny tiny little particles floating around in the water. What do I do now to fix it. Now my other question is about my female swordtail. I know that she is supposed to get a gravid spot and i just want to be sure I am identifying it correctly. She has a triangular shaped spot in the lower middle part of her body. Is that where the gravid spot is located. Not near the tail right? Can anyone help me. Thanks alot.

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I used the chemical stuff, PH up to adjust it.

 

[Angel Lady]

Please dont use that stuff again. That will only cause you more problems than it is worth. You can use a teaspoon of baking soda and do the samething.

 

[newhobby]

Please dont use that stuff again. That will only cause you more problems than it is worth. You can use a teaspoon of baking soda and do the samething.

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OK, thanks alot. I will try that.

 

[black angel]

What are your readings for ph, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate before you use anything to change it?
How often and how much do you do water changes and are you using a gravel vac?
Filtration is very important as well. What kind of filter and are you cleaning the sponge regularly in old tank water?

 

[Angel Lady]

I was just getting back on here to tell him the samething blackangel. Thanks you beat me to it. I get nervous when I hear of someone using that ph stuff. I think they should take that stiuff off the market. In my opinion it does more harm than good...

 

[newhobby]

So should I just change out some of the water again?

 

[daddyfish]

So should I just change out some of the water again?

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Yes You can try Changing 25-30% Water Change Again as this My Help...
When you said You Cleaned the Tank were you Talking a COMPLETE TEAR DOWN???
If so you probably killed Off all of your Bacteria that was in your tank, that HELPS to break down the Fish waste, and will have to Start the cycle all Over again. Which can take Upto 4-8 weeks.

Never Break a tank Completely Down unless You must, To sterilize the tank because of Illness, clean your tank with 25-30% Water Changes Only.
If this is because the Cycled tank has been broken, Put it Some Bio Zyme, you can get this at your Local PS, Put Some in and it will help the tank to Clear itself Up by adding back the Bacteria Needed to Control Fish Waste....

It's also Useful for when you've used Meds and have Harmed the Bacteria as well, to get the Level of the Bacteria Back Up to Speed...

I Hope This Has Helped...