Spitting Out Food

[mweatherall988]

Yeah I'll defo give it a go. Unfortunatly I dont get paid till Wednesday, and right now im pretty skint , so maybe i'll be lucky and they'll survive till then.
Thanks for your help though, its been good to hear your input - very helpful .

 

[backtotropical]

Bugger. I feel like a real tit now lol. I really should have researched more on the subject, rather than just relying on the advice of the staff at the pet store.
I'll have to pick up a master test kit - hopefully I can get it sorted before I suffer any casualties!

Don't feel stupid. There are lots of people in the same situation as you. You are doing the right thing to get it sorted now, which is the main thing. You'd be surprised how many people just don't really care.

Get one of those test kits if you can. Greenscooby is giving good advice there. Don't forget those water changes meantime as a precautionary measure. They may be the difference between life and death for your neons.

With sufficient water changes, you shouldn't have too many problems keeping them alive until wednesday. Try to change at least 50% every day, or more if you can manage.

 

[mweatherall988]

Whenever I do a water change, what is the best way of ensuring the water is at an adequate temperature before putting it into the tank?

 

[backtotropical]

Just let the water sit for a few hours before doing the water change. This should bring it close enough to room temperature. Some people add some hot water. Just whatever you prefer.

It's not important to get it really close, reasonably close will do, just don't freeze the fish, thats all.

 

[mweatherall988]

Just let the water sit for a few hours before doing the water change. This should bring it close enough to room temperature. Some people add some hot water. Just whatever you prefer.

It's not important to get it really close, reasonably close will do, just don't freeze the fish, thats all.

I'll try not to freeze them . Also (sorry for all the questions) if i'm doing a water change every day - should I be putting the Cycle bacteria stuff in each time I do it?

 

[backtotropical]

The bacteria supplement won't do any harm, but many of the members on here are sceptical about the benefits. I personally would say it's a waste of money.

If you already have it, don't throw it out, you might as well use it, but don't buy any more once its done. A far better idea is to get some mature filter media from an established tank. Do you know anyone who has an established tank?

If not, there is a pinned thread in the 'New to the Hobby' section which details members of the forum who are willing to donate mature filter media to those in need such as yourself. have a look through for someone in your area.

Cheers

BTT

 

[greenscooby]

Miss Wiggle advised me not to, her advise was to check your levels and do water changes, you shouldn't need to add anything, just let your media grow the bacteria it needs, we are in the same boat, we're in for the LONG haul, but from what i've been told on here(and i belive them) it's worth it.

 

[greenscooby]

From what i've learnt NO, the water changes should be enough, get your test kit and post your results, TRUST ME you'll get better info then, also follow Miss Wiggles ADVICE on the beginners page.

 

[mweatherall988]

Thanks guys! Will do! It would appear we're a group of insomniacs .

 

[OldMan47]

Something that you do need to add when doing that water change is the dechlorinator. You do not want to add chlorine to the problems the fish are already facing. As BTT said, the 50% daily water change should keep things from getting too toxic until you have a chance to actually measure the water chemistry. As far as finding a filter media donor to speed your cycle, there is a thread started some time ago where people willing to trade filter media with you have posted what they have. There is a shortcut to it in my signature area. It is called Donors.

 

[petertr]

Yep - Your filter won't yet be able to handle the poisons in the water (ammonia & nitrite) so its up to you to remove them by changing as much as 50% of the water every day.

It's a lot of effort, but its the only way your fish won't be damaged.

 

[Jeff Lange]

Whenever I do a water change, what is the best way of ensuring the water is at an adequate temperature before putting it into the tank?

Depending on the tank size, I put my 5 gallon buckets ( Water Changes ) in my bathtub with warm water and put a digital thermometer in the buckets until they match my tank temp.
Definatly take the advice above and do 50% water changes daily until you get your API master test kit. I would also agree that your tank is not cycled and this is causing the problems you mention. If your tank was established then spitting out the food would be ok as they are probably just making smaller peices. Mine do it often and they just re-eat it after it breaks apart.
Many have been down the road you are on including myself. Best advice I got on this forum was the Fishless Cycle. I will never set up another tank without doing a fishless cycle to prepare the tank for fish.
Good Luck to you

 

[backtotropical]

Best advice I got on this forum was the Fishless Cycle. I will never set up another tank without doing a fishless cycle to prepare the tank for fish.

You won't need to, Jeff. If you ever need to set up another tank, you can just clone the filter from your existing mature filter. Even better than the fishless cycle is the instant cycle.