The Tank Of Death

[texasfishymom]

Hello all. This is my first post and I desperately need help. I am certain we have done everything wrong with these fish.

First off, we have a five gallon hex tank that my husband bought for my four year old. Last year we had two pretty good sized goldfish in the tank and had good success with them. When we evacuated for Hurricane Rita, we had to leave the tank behind and then we were without power for nearly three weeks. When my husband came home, goldies were gone. We got a couple more for my son and did well for a few months, then they both just up and died.

We took the tank outside and cleaned it out with vinegar (per the pet store kid) and rinsed it really well (or so we thought).

We then decided that maybe we would try guppies. The pet store sold me 2 males and 3 females (one of the females actually started giving birth before we got her home). Sold us aquarium salt, stress away and algae destroyer for the tank a couple days before so we could get the water right before we brought home the fish.

Friday, one of the males looked like he had been torn up by another fish and was dead. Then Friday afternoon - mama died. Yesterday, I lost two more, and this morning all my babies are floating in the nursery. I have one male left - and he seems hearty, but I need advice on what to do to this tank to get it clean (I assume something is wrong with the tank, water, etc) and also once I get the tank clean - how many guppies should I really have in a 5 gallon to start off with - and when should I get a second tank for the offspring... etc.

I am about to give up on fish - but my little boy just really took such an interest in the guppies (he never muched cared about the goldies) but the guppies and the babies have him completely fascinated (and very heartbroken that they are all dead - especially the babies)... sorry this is so long - help me please.

 

[tttnjfttt]

Ok, first of all, what are your water stats (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH)? My guess is you are experiencing new tank syndrome. What happens is in a new aquarium, the beneficial bacteria that breaks down the fish's waste has not had a chance to build up. New tank syndrome is where the fish are being poisioned by the ammonia they excrete. Nitrite, what the ammonia is broken down into, is also toxic. Nitrite is finally broken down into nitrate, which is non toxic at low levels (ideally you keep this level below 40 ppm).

I would not recomend keeping guppies in a brand new 5 gallon tank. They tend to be fairly weak fish since they tend to interbreed alot. If your son really has his heart set on guppies, there are a few things you can do. First of all, no new fish until the ammonia and nitrite are both zero. Then slowly add fish. If everyone does die, you can cycle (build up the bacteria) the tank doing a fishless cycle; there are directions for this in the beginner section. If you want males and females, i would recomend no more than 3 to start, one male and 2 females. I would also recomend buying them at different stores just so you don't start out with brothers and sisters. Another option is to do an all male tank, where you can go up to 5 males. However, make sure you have MANY hiding places to help with agression.

If you decide to abandon guppies, there aren't many fish that can be kept in a 5 gallon tank. You may consider doing a betta (or divide the tank for two), or ONE dwarf puffer. Please do not put goldfish back in the tank. Goldfish are very messy fish that can grow very large. The general rule for goldfish is the FIRST fish needs 20 gallons, then 10 gallons for each additional fish. They can grow over 10" and live for many years.

Hope that helps!

 

[texasfishymom]

Thanks for the advice. I don't have a test kit for the water - so I have no idea what the levels are. I think we will try the cycling and get the tank ready and take one more shot with the guppies. He is absolutely fascinated with them - more so than our dogs, cats or turtles - he just sits in a chair in front of the tank and watches them. He was incredibly in awe of the babies.

Also, with the one little guy I have left - is there anything I can do to try to keep him alive? We don't live in the city, so it will be a couple hour drive to get any fish supplies today - but I am willing to try anything to keep the one fish going if that's possible.....

I appreciate the advice and will probably be posting on this site quite a bit in the coming weeks.

 

[tttnjfttt]

For today, i would do three 25% percent water changes. One immediately, one, in the afternoon, and one before you go to bed. Also do the same tomorrow. If you have any pet stores in the area, most will test your water for free. Be sure to write down the results (the numbers) and not take their word for it.

One thing i would recomend buying at this point would be a good master test kit. You want one that is liquid based, not the test strips that you dip in the tank. Here is a link to one online that is a very good test kit at a very decent price (about half of what you will pay at the LPS) http/bigalsonline.com/catalog/product.xm...id1=3233;pcid2=

For the surviving guppy, what shape is he in?

 

[texasfishymom]

Great - I'll try the water changes and get the test kit first thing in the morning. Have to go into town anyway.

The remaining guppy - right now - is zipping around the tank - I haven't fed him (read the article about the amonia levels getting even higher when they eat) - but for right now he seems like he is moving around and really responsive - not skimming up toward the top of the water for air or anything...

 

[tttnjfttt]

That sounds good. Let us know the test results when you get them!

 

[texasfishymom]

Sorry it took me a couple of days to post, but we got the test kits

PH 7.5
Amonia 1.00
Nitrite 00.00

I am still doing the 25% water changes and trying to get the amonia level to 0.00. Our remaining guppy is still doing fine and the water looks really good. I am keeping my fingers crossed that we can keep him healthy until the tank starts leveling out on its own.

 

[Rafael Dilone]

Sorry it took me a couple of days to post, but we got the test kits

PH 7.5
Amonia 1.00
Nitrite 00.00

I am still doing the 25% water changes and trying to get the amonia level to 0.00. Our remaining guppy is still doing fine and the water looks really good. I am keeping my fingers crossed that we can keep him healthy until the tank starts leveling out on its own. Please read the below.

Well I suggest that you become a member of doctors foster and smith. Its free. They have articles of how to keep a healthy aquarium. These are real veternerians. They are experts. They have articles on amonia, Nitrate, etc. Check there website to read articles about what you need help in.

Well I am a member of Doctors Foster and Smith. I just want to let everyone know that you can get a free catalog. But it is only for the United States. I bet you will love these catalogs. It has articles on various topics. Also they sell almost anything you may want for your aquarium. You can even buy Fish. Some of the healthiest in the industry. Also some super low prices. So I would suggest all you people on FishForum.com that live in the United States to check it out. Check out there website which is http/www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Shop.cfm?N=2004. I bet you will love it. Also anyone who wants to say anything be free to.
P.S
Go to http/www.peteducation.com/index.cfm?cls=16 and you van learn a lot about Aquariums.

 

[drango91]

are you useing heavy metal tapwater dechloriators is your water clean? if i were you you should go out and buy CYCLE(product name) this saved my tank from beind destroyed by the cycle, its the only instant cycler that works immidately with great results