Update Readings-help Me Help My Fishies Pls ?

[SCORPIOCUPCAKE]

I have a 200 litre tank and am cycling with fish.

I have a silver shark
6 barbs
1 platy
2 mollies

I did a water change yest, 20% with dechlor water.

I have tested my tap water and there is no amm or nitrite.

I am using liquid test.

My readings are as follows.

ph - 8
amm - 0.25
Nitrite - 0.25
Nitrate 5

I am worried my little friends will come to some harm if I dont do anything, can anyone offer me some advice ? Please be gentle with me as all this scientific stuff is starting to baffle me but I want to do th right thing.

Thanks guys
x

 

[rabbut]

When the ammonia or nitrite is under 0.25, but not zero, do about 20-30% daily waterchanges. If ammonia or nitrite are zero, no action is required. If ammonia and nitrite are above 0.25, but under 1, 2X50% waterchange two hours appart get them below 0.25 again. Over 1, take out most of the water, such that there is just enough to cover the occupants, and refill with water heated to temp.

Try to boost airation, and you should struggle through it. It's going to be hard work, so be prepaired

All the best
Rabbut

 

[SCORPIOCUPCAKE]

When the ammonia or nitrite is under 0.25, but not zero, do about 20-30% daily waterchanges. If ammonia or nitrite are zero, no action is required. If ammonia and nitrite are above 0.25, but under 1, 2X50% waterchange two hours appart get them below 0.25 again. Over 1, take out most of the water, such that there is just enough to cover the occupants, and refill with water heated to temp.

Try to boost airation, and you should struggle through it. It's going to be hard work, so be prepaired

All the best
Rabbut

How do I boost airation ? Thanks again for your help. Are my fishies in serious danger ?

 

[rabbut]

If you don't keep on top of it, yes they could be If you test twice a day and waterchange as appropriate you can minimise the risk, but not eliminate it entirely.

Bossting airation means adding an air stone and air pump, or fitting a venturi to your filter system

The silver shark is going to get large, you do know that I presume. My place of work had some in off a customer at 18 inches, and the keeper considered them "small" They can get I belive to 2 feet they also need a group of 6+ t feel secure. I don't know anyone other than possibly CFC whom can keep them properly IMO, they should be banned from the trade

All the best
Rabbut

 

[SCORPIOCUPCAKE]

If you don't keep on top of it, yes they could be If you test twice a day and waterchange as appropriate you can minimise the risk, but not eliminate it entirely.

Bossting airation means adding an air stone and air pump, or fitting a venturi to your filter system

The silver shark is going to get large, you do know that I presume. My place of work had some in off a customer at 18 inches, and the keeper considered them "small" They can get I belive to 2 feet they also need a group of 6+ t feel secure. I don't know anyone other than possibly CFC whom can keep them properly IMO, they should be banned from the trade

All the best
Rabbut

After doing some reading I was under the impression that in my tank the shark would get to about 8 inches, the plan was to get him some friends once my tank was stable. I keep getting sooooooo much conflicting info from all different sources and I feel like giving my fish back and giving up sometimes as am a resposible person who cares for them but with differing opinions I cant seem to get it right.

Thanks though Rabbut, I am going to take your advice and try to rectify the situation right now.

S
x

 

[rabbut]

Ay he will stop growing arround 8 inches; it's called stunting and will permenantly shorten his life

 

[SCORPIOCUPCAKE]

Ay he will stop growing arround 8 inches; it's called stunting and will permenantly shorten his life

This sounds horrible and I feel gutted now, but unsure whether to return him for him to end up in someone elses tank too........ *sigh*

 

[rabbut]

Re-homing would be the ideal thing to do. Post in the Buy-Sell-Swap section for other members whom may have a large enough tank. Also, look arround locally for public aquariums whom may be prepaired to take him

All the best
abbut

 

[waterdrop]

SCORPIO,

Hang in there with all the conflicting advice. It sounds to me like you are doing really well in approaching your situation. Almost everyone on here initially received various bits of info from their LFS that started them off wrong. The very fact that you've been interacting with a lot of experienced fishkeepers here like rabbut means you are on your way to being good at the hobby. Its this new knowledge and the experience you gain with handling these mistakes that will set you apart eventually from the average person with a tank.

I know that what to do with a silver shark in South Dakota and no swimming pool for him seems like an impossible situation but eventually something will work out! Think of all the poor fish out there in tanks that very much need water changes -- at least your fish are now getting these and they are going to be much more comfortable for it!

Good Luck!

~~waterdrop~~

 

[SCORPIOCUPCAKE]

SCORPIO,

Hang in there with all the conflicting advice. It sounds to me like you are doing really well in approaching your situation. Almost everyone on here initially received various bits of info from their LFS that started them off wrong. The very fact that you've been interacting with a lot of experienced fishkeepers here like rabbut means you are on your way to being good at the hobby. Its this new knowledge and the experience you gain with handling these mistakes that will set you apart eventually from the average person with a tank.

I know that what to do with a silver shark in South Dakota and no swimming pool for him seems like an impossible situation but eventually something will work out! Think of all the poor fish out there in tanks that very much need water changes -- at least your fish are now getting these and they are going to be much more comfortable for it!

Good Luck!

~~waterdrop~~

Aw thanks for taking time to reply Waterdrop, I have changed the water tonight and will do same in morning, have also been talking to hubby about not keeping the silver shark so am going to try to rehome him I think. I want to get this right as dont want to cause any unecessary suffering to my little guys,as I am really fond of them so will keep posting here for advice and hope I dont start to annoy you all ?!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Corleone]

hope I dont start to annoy you all ?!!!!!!!!!!

There's nothing annoying about seeking advice, and you're on the right track and asking the right questions. I'm sure there's plenty of people here that wish more people asked so many questions.

 

[SCORPIOCUPCAKE]

hope I dont start to annoy you all ?!!!!!!!!!!

There's nothing annoying about seeking advice, and you're on the right track and asking the right questions. I'm sure there's plenty of people here that wish more people asked so many questions.

Thanks for that Corleone