Hi, I am very new to this and bought a biorb (yes i know lots of people dont like them) We set the tank up had it fish free for about 3/4 weeks, had the water tested and nitrate was too high, was suggested we put in 2 danios which we did and was told that they prob wouldn't survive. 1 died the next day but the other lived for almost 2 weeks. had the water tested again and was good to go! Put 2 Plateys in yesterday and have got babies !!!!!!!!! Flippin eck talk about chucked in at the deep end! counted about 4 babies so far, 2 were stuck in the sponge filter and i managed to get them out. I understand i need to get a breeding net to put the babies in. Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated
Very New And Have Babies!
- Thread starter Nina W
- Start date
Lynda B
Fish Addict
Congratulations on your babies. I'm sure that's exciting.
How were you cycling your tank prior to getting fish? Were you putting ammonia in? Using fish food? I have to think it was your nitrites that were high, not your nitrates, when you had your water tested. And putting a fish into a high nitrite tank would be the equivalent of putting him into a vat of toxins. If I ever had some lfs staff tell me "hey buy these, but they'll probably die", I'd find another lfs really quickly.
I would suggest that you get yourself a drop test kit so that you can monitor your readings yourself. You are now responsible for the lives of these fish. They are not expendable.
What are your readings now:
pH:
Ammonia:
Nitrite:
Nitrate:
How were you cycling your tank prior to getting fish? Were you putting ammonia in? Using fish food? I have to think it was your nitrites that were high, not your nitrates, when you had your water tested. And putting a fish into a high nitrite tank would be the equivalent of putting him into a vat of toxins. If I ever had some lfs staff tell me "hey buy these, but they'll probably die", I'd find another lfs really quickly.
I would suggest that you get yourself a drop test kit so that you can monitor your readings yourself. You are now responsible for the lives of these fish. They are not expendable.
What are your readings now:
pH:
Ammonia:
Nitrite:
Nitrate:
Thanks Linda, excited? I'm terrified! i just set up the tank as instructed and left in running for a few weeks. I must admit i was pretty shocked when advised to sacrifice 2 fish to combat the problem. i'm going to buy a testing kit when i get a breeding net today, so will test later and let you know. The 2 Plateys in there seem really happy, theyare really follow each other around and seem playful. The babies are venturing out so im getting abit worried they might get eaten. How amny do you think there will be? Will i loose any? Will i have to get another tank? And dont worry i will look after them as long as well as i can
Lynda B
Fish Addict
Ok, so you set up the tank but didn't put anything in it to help it to "cycle"? If you just ran it with nothing in it, the fish you have now will, unfortunately, be your "cycling" fish.
I don't have plateys, so can't advise you on their hardiness or their breeding patterns and I wouldn't know the first thing to do for their fry. I'm sure someone else will come in and give you some good information on that part of it. They will also be able to tell you what food you might need for feeding the fry and if they have a chance to survive in a tank that's not cycled.
If you don't know what the nitrogen cycle of a tank is, I believe there are stickies in the forum that will guide you along. It's really important to understand just how your aquarium works, so to speak. Then, you'll have much better success.
Welcome to the world of fishkeeping.
I don't have plateys, so can't advise you on their hardiness or their breeding patterns and I wouldn't know the first thing to do for their fry. I'm sure someone else will come in and give you some good information on that part of it. They will also be able to tell you what food you might need for feeding the fry and if they have a chance to survive in a tank that's not cycled.
If you don't know what the nitrogen cycle of a tank is, I believe there are stickies in the forum that will guide you along. It's really important to understand just how your aquarium works, so to speak. Then, you'll have much better success.
Welcome to the world of fishkeeping.
Lynda B
Fish Addict
Here, this link should help... http
/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showto...t=0&start=0
/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showto...t=0&start=0
Aphotic Phoenix
Fish Addict
Fish keeping becomes much much easier once you understand the nitrogen cycle!
As for the platies... Platies are livebearers, and they will continue to breed if you have a male and female together in a tank. Livebearers will usually only eat their own young if they are hungry...but if you aren't sure if your tank is currently cycled this may be a problem. Generally it's recommended that if a tank isn't fully cycled it's best to feed your fish very lightly so their waste is kept at a minimum.
If you don't have one yet, it is very helpful to purchase a liquid test kit (The API Master Test Kit is very good). Liquid tests are more accurate than paper strips, and liquid tests give you many more tests per kit than the paper ones anyway. Being able to test your own water not only saves you the headache of traveling to the pet store, but also can help alert you to any problems in your tank.
Now for a quick explanation of the nitrogen cycle and biological filter in your tank.
The filter in your tank not only helps to trap/remove some of the free floating junk in your tank, but is also the home of important bacteria for your tank. The first set of bacteria break down the toxic ammonia that is released in fish waste as well as other decaying matter in the tank. Ammonia is converted to NitrIte by these first bacteriums. NitrIte is also toxic to fish, but there is a second set of bacteria that breaks that down for food, which produces NitrAtes. NitrAtes are far less toxic for fish, and are removed by us via weekly water changes...usually at least 25% of the water volume.
Remember that bacteria are living things, and they need a food source (Ammonia and NitrItes) to survive. This is why having an empty tank for weeks without a food source does not work. "Fishless cycling" is done by adding a pure Ammonia source to the water (instead of fish adding it), which gives the bacteria food and the ability to multiply.
High NitrAtes can indeed kill fish. This is why water changes, and properly cleaning the tank/filter is important. Remember to "gravel vac" the tank at least once per week. This helps prevent fish waste, and leftover food from decaying in the tank which will eventually be converted into more nitrates! To clean your filter just gently "swish and squeeze" to remove any debris. Do not replace a filter unless it's falling apart. It's not your tank that is cycled...it's actually the filter, so replacing it actually uncycles the tank!
Try to keep below these levels (do water changes as often as nessesary)
Ammonia < .25 ppm
NitrItes < .25 ppm
NitrAtes < 40 ppm (be aware that many people have a certain amount of NitrAtes in their tap water, I have ~15 so I try to make sure my tank stays below 25... test your tap water for NitrAtes so you know how many should be "normal")
As for the platies... Platies are livebearers, and they will continue to breed if you have a male and female together in a tank. Livebearers will usually only eat their own young if they are hungry...but if you aren't sure if your tank is currently cycled this may be a problem. Generally it's recommended that if a tank isn't fully cycled it's best to feed your fish very lightly so their waste is kept at a minimum.
If you don't have one yet, it is very helpful to purchase a liquid test kit (The API Master Test Kit is very good). Liquid tests are more accurate than paper strips, and liquid tests give you many more tests per kit than the paper ones anyway. Being able to test your own water not only saves you the headache of traveling to the pet store, but also can help alert you to any problems in your tank.
Now for a quick explanation of the nitrogen cycle and biological filter in your tank.
The filter in your tank not only helps to trap/remove some of the free floating junk in your tank, but is also the home of important bacteria for your tank. The first set of bacteria break down the toxic ammonia that is released in fish waste as well as other decaying matter in the tank. Ammonia is converted to NitrIte by these first bacteriums. NitrIte is also toxic to fish, but there is a second set of bacteria that breaks that down for food, which produces NitrAtes. NitrAtes are far less toxic for fish, and are removed by us via weekly water changes...usually at least 25% of the water volume.
Remember that bacteria are living things, and they need a food source (Ammonia and NitrItes) to survive. This is why having an empty tank for weeks without a food source does not work. "Fishless cycling" is done by adding a pure Ammonia source to the water (instead of fish adding it), which gives the bacteria food and the ability to multiply.
High NitrAtes can indeed kill fish. This is why water changes, and properly cleaning the tank/filter is important. Remember to "gravel vac" the tank at least once per week. This helps prevent fish waste, and leftover food from decaying in the tank which will eventually be converted into more nitrates! To clean your filter just gently "swish and squeeze" to remove any debris. Do not replace a filter unless it's falling apart. It's not your tank that is cycled...it's actually the filter, so replacing it actually uncycles the tank!
Try to keep below these levels (do water changes as often as nessesary)
Ammonia < .25 ppm
NitrItes < .25 ppm
NitrAtes < 40 ppm (be aware that many people have a certain amount of NitrAtes in their tap water, I have ~15 so I try to make sure my tank stays below 25... test your tap water for NitrAtes so you know how many should be "normal")
Thanks for the info AP, i have printed it off to read properly. I went to buy a testing kit and was given a dip stick kit, i have just tested the water and NitrIte is measuring 0.5 maybe a little higher but not 1. and NitrAte is measuring 40. We do live in an extremly hard water area. As i put danios in previous to the platies does that mean the tank has had a cycle?
I have managed to catch 2 babies and put them into a breeding net but you dont think the adults will eat them if they're not hungry. They did seem to be looking for food so i've fed them against the pet shop advise of once every 2 days at first. I also put some food into the breeding net and its still there at the mo, will check again soon. Do you think the babies will be ok to leave in the tank with the adults or shall i try to find some more and place them in the net?
I have managed to catch 2 babies and put them into a breeding net but you dont think the adults will eat them if they're not hungry. They did seem to be looking for food so i've fed them against the pet shop advise of once every 2 days at first. I also put some food into the breeding net and its still there at the mo, will check again soon. Do you think the babies will be ok to leave in the tank with the adults or shall i try to find some more and place them in the net?
Lynda B
Fish Addict
There is very specific food to give to fry.... what did you give them? The same food as the adults?
When did you have your danios in there?
Could you return the stick test kit and get a drop one. Anything other than a drop test kit is pretty worthless, especially for a beginner, as you're getting to know what the numbers mean and how they all relate.
Oh... and if we fed our fish every time they asked for food, we'd all have whales in our tanks..... they're little pigs.....
When did you have your danios in there?
Could you return the stick test kit and get a drop one. Anything other than a drop test kit is pretty worthless, especially for a beginner, as you're getting to know what the numbers mean and how they all relate.
Oh... and if we fed our fish every time they asked for food, we'd all have whales in our tanks..... they're little pigs.....
i gave them the same food as the adults but crushed it up to a powder, pet shop said that was fine, but i am seriously doubting anything they say. i was just worried they might eat the fry, how often should i feed them? they've only been in just over 24 hours.
I put the danios in about 2/3 weeks ago to lower the nitite levels, again advise from the pet shop. 1 died the next day and the other lived 2 weeks. the tank was then empty about 5 days
I will get a liquid test kit and wont be fobbed off by the shop again
I put the danios in about 2/3 weeks ago to lower the nitite levels, again advise from the pet shop. 1 died the next day and the other lived 2 weeks. the tank was then empty about 5 days
I will get a liquid test kit and wont be fobbed off by the shop again
Lynda B
Fish Addict
Okay, I've only spawned bettas and, as I just found out, apparently there's a world of difference in what you have to feed them and how to care for them. I may have been presumptuous in thinking all fry are created equal. 
The attached link might help you understand what to do with your little babes.
http/www.atchison.com/fishinformation/br...livebearers.htm
The attached link might help you understand what to do with your little babes.
http
/www.atchison.com/fishinformation/br...livebearers.htm
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I once read in a book, and it's the best fishkeeping advice ever;
There are 3 main rules for feeding fish
1) Do not overfeed!
2) Feed a wide and varied selection of foods.
3) Do not overfeed!
There are 3 main rules for feeding fish
1) Do not overfeed!
2) Feed a wide and varied selection of foods.
3) Do not overfeed!
Lynda B
Fish Addict
You'll get a million opinions on this. The danger is in overfeeding, not underfeeding. So, why don't you go for once per day, and remember the guideline, stomach the size of the eye. In other words, don't dump a handfull of flakes in there.
great thanks Lynda, i'm going with your advice. Unfortunately 1 of the fry i put in the breeding net has died, still 1 hanging in there. There must be a few more hiding in the tank i have seen at least 1, i think i'm going to leave them where they are for now, dont want to cause any more stress to the fry or the adults.
Will keep you updated and thanks again for your help
Will keep you updated and thanks again for your help
Lynda B
Fish Addict
Please keep us updated.... hope you make out alright.
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