What Filter

[Telstar]

Hi we have started out with fish and exciting it certainly is. Just bought a 25L tank which has been running with filter, heater ect. We had a large shrimp to begin with then added 4 Guppies. They are all swimming at top constantly. Is there a problem with enough oxygen in water? Many thanks.

 

[Colin_T]

How long has the tank been set up for?
How long have you had the fish for?
Do you have an ammonia and nitrite test kit?

If the tank is newly set up (less than 2 months old), it could have ammonia or nitrite in the water and this might be affecting the fish. If there is ammonia or nitrite in the water, reduce feeding to 2-3 times a week and do a 75% water change and gravel clean the substrate 4-8 hours after feeding. You should also do a 75% water change and gravel clean any day you have an ammonia or nitrite reading above 0ppm.

If you post some pictures of the fish, we can check them for disease.

 

[Telstar]

How long has the tank been set up for?
How long have you had the fish for?
Do you have an ammonia and nitrite test kit?

If the tank is newly set up (less than 2 months old), it could have ammonia or nitrite in the water and this might be affecting the fish. If there is ammonia or nitrite in the water, reduce feeding to 2-3 times a week and do a 75% water change and gravel clean the substrate 4-8 hours after feeding. You should also do a 75% water change and gravel clean any day you have an ammonia or nitrite reading above 0ppm.

If you post some pictures of the fish, we can check them for disease.

Hi Colin thanks reply. Tank was setup two days before with a nice big shrimp having all to himself. New fish all looked fine until next morning two dead and the shrimp. Had water tested, ok.
Have new pair of fish and two small shrimps but they are all staying at top of tank? Many thanks.

 

[Essjay]

What were the numbers for ammonia and nitrite? A lot of shops will say it's OK when it's not. You really need your own test kits.

The first part of this link explains why were are asking for the ammonia and nitrite levels. Ignore the second part, that's for doing before fish are put in a tank.

Cycling Your New Fresh Water Tank: Read This First!

Cycling Your First Fresh Water Tank What is Cycling and Why is it Important? Fish waste, and especially fish breathing, plus uneaten food and other organic matter breaking down in a tank all produce Ammonia. This can quickly become toxic to fish if it is allowed to build up to any measurable...

www.fishforums.net

 

[Guyb93]

A tank of that size I would just opt for a small sponge filter

 

[Slaphppy7]

Welcome to the forum.

You need to be testing your own water, get one of these ASAP: https://apifishcare.com/product/freshwater-master-test-kit

Run the test for ammonia, nitrIte, and nitrAte, and post the results here

I am certain the tank isn't cycled, be sure to read the link @Essjay posted above for you

 

[Bruce Leyland-Jones]

Hi we have started out with fish and exciting it certainly is. Just bought a 25L tank which has been running with filter, heater ect. We had a large shrimp to begin with then added 4 Guppies. They are all swimming at top constantly. Is there a problem with enough oxygen in water? Many thanks.

Sounds like your fish are trying to survive in a toxic tank.
Change 50% of the water and be sure to use a water conditioner.
See above re testing.

Please stop buying fish to replace the ones you've killed and learn what it was that killed the first ones and then fix it.

 

[Telstar]

Sounds like your fish are trying to survive in a toxic tank.
Change 50% of the water and be sure to use a water conditioner.
See above re testing.

Please stop buying fish to replace the ones you've killed and learn what it was that killed the first ones and then fix it.

. What should temp' be for Gupies. Shop said 24-26; so put it at 25. All advice very helpful. Now put it to 27 but I think something has had bacteria maybe the plants? I'll get there!

 

[Colin_T]

Guppies do well in water with a temperature between 18-30C, with a preference for the lower range around 22-24C.

Plants don't normally introduce bacteria or diseases unless they are in a tank with sick fish.

If you can post some pictures and video of the fish, it will let us check them for diseases. Upload the video to YouTube, then copy & paste the link here.

 

[Telstar]

Many thanks for the helpful replies. Sadly all but one has died. We are convinced fish from shop Pets at Home were disceased. They have said catagorically no but??
Anyhow decided to start totally afresh with the comments above mindful.
We shalln't go for Gupies, thank you.
One question which hopefully is not too stupid. We have Tertra Pond fish discease treatment for small outdoor pond - all fish small and not too many, living well and happy - apart from cat determined to eat them. A small tip if anyone has same problem, leave sprung loaded mouse traps just under the soil. Screw in a small screw where the foot would be caught high enough so as not to hurt the cat but give it a hell of a frieght.
Anyhow back .. will this treatmet for cold fish outside pond work with warm, indoor?
Cheers.

 

[Bruce Leyland-Jones]

We have Tertra Pond fish discease treatment for small outdoor pond...will this treatmet for cold fish outside pond work with warm, indoor?
Cheers.

No.

 

[Bruce Leyland-Jones]

Many thanks for the helpful replies. Sadly all but one has died. We are convinced fish from shop Pets at Home were disceased. They have said catagorically no but??
Anyhow decided to start totally afresh with the comments above mindful.

Temperatures aside, what are the water parameters?
Too often, disease is blamed and, whilst I personally dislike Pets at Home, I really haven't seen much evidence that they sell diseased fish.
Inadequate tank cycling and the unfortunate consequences of that are more likely to blame.

 

[Essjay]

Besides the tank probably being uncycled, living in the Scottish Borders you probably have very soft water. Guppies are hard water fish. The soft water wouldn't have killed the guppies quickly, it's a long term thing, but it may have been a contributing factor.

Never add a medication to a tank unless you know what illness the fish has. Everything we add to a tank ends up inside the fish so the less we add the better. When a fish has an identifiable disease, using a medicine for that disease is OK, but not trying this or that to see if they work.

 

[Telstar]

No.

... sort of guessed, thanks for reply.
PS don't know why my spell chhekker aint working; I have terrible finger problems. Does spell checking work on the forum? Can't imagine why not; be me.
Cheers anyhow, I'm sure our next attempt will be successful.

 

[Bruce Leyland-Jones]

Now put it to 27 but I think something has had bacteria maybe the plants? I'll get there!

I'm curious...did you read the responses to your initial question?
Where did you get the idea of 'bacteria' from, or 'disease'?

We know, without any doubt, that an uncycled tank will poison your fish, especially a smaller tank such as a 25l one.
Hopefully, once you've read the cycling info provided, you'll be able to start again, slowly and carefully and eventually get to enjoy the hobby as we do.