Tropical Fish Dying!

[KatieLou]

Hi there,
 
We have had the fluval edge 23g tank set up now for a little over a month, 
 
We had bought 4 guppies - two male - two female, a small salt and pepper cory and had then bought a loach and another cory, the tank was healthy, all the test levels coming out fine etc. We then were given a baby sword fish and 5 neons, within a few days the neons were dying, but we couldn't pin point why. 
 
We have stopped feeding them as regularly, turned the light off and keep changing the water, but all the fish seem to be dying. our two male guppies have died and all the other fish are just lying at the bottom of the tank ,we also have some young guppy babies that seem to be getting worse.
 
The Nitrate levels have become terrible, and were trying everything we can to save them, the temperature was always a steady 24 but has risen to 26+ and our efforts are not doing anything, and i am devastated.
 
Please help!! 
 
Thanks 
Katie
 

 

[Munroco]

Do you have a test kit? If so can you tell us the results. The fact you say your nitrate levels are terrible suggests you do. This seems ro be a water quality issue rather than disease. You need to get these nitrate levels down and atm the only way I can suggest is daily water changes, at least 1/3. If we can see test results someone will be able to advise you better than I can.
 
The problem may be that your tank hasn't been properly cycled. Your fish were surviving because there were so few, but as soon as you increased the bio load on your filter it couldn't cope as it probably doesn't have enough bacteria established yet.

 

[fluttermoth]

The Edge is only 23 litres, so it's  very small tank. you can really keep only five or six very small fish in one. neons are very sensitive little fish, who don't like new tanks, even if they are properly cycled.

 

[ShinySideUp]

Might I suggest that your next water change, now, if you can, is 80%and make sure you use a water conditioner like Seachem Prime or something similar -- it's the only way you'll get your nitrates and other toxic things under control quickly. Then read the article on cycling your tank -- links on the main page.

 

[Munroco]

The Edge is only 23 litres, so it's  very small tank. you can really keep only five or six very small fish in one. neons are very sensitive little fish, who don't like new tanks, even if they are properly cycled.

Thats a bit different to 23 gals !!!!