What's Goin On?

[Orangecrayon]

My tank has been running for about a month and a half now. 20 gallon, real plant life. My tanks been fairly steady I've only lost a few fish so far two guppies the day after the were put in my tank. Turned out the store had an issue with guppies that month, and a male sword tail that was being picked on by a few male guppies that were in the tank before him. I got up this morning to find all 3 of my balloon body mollies and my original male guppy had died at some point through the night. I only had time to scoop them before leaving. The rest of my tank seems fine the cory cat is still swimming along with mynswords, guppies and the babies in the tank. Any insight as to what would cause a die off like that?

 

[Newbie_87]

Sorry for your losses

My first instinct would be to go with water quality, do you test regularily? If so, with what type of media (liquid or strips?

 

[Orangecrayon]

I've always tested with liquid I'm gonna see if I can pick up strips on my way home I tested one before I introduced fish into the tank. Like I said all I had time to do this morning was scoop so the rest weren't affected by anything

 

[Rynofasho]

Liquid tests are better, with most people recommending the API Freshwater master kit.

It'd be best to test your water and post the results.

 

[Orangecrayon]

The only thing off was nitrites. I added some prime. Anything else I can do?

 

[fluttermoth]

I suspect that the high nitrites are because your tank isn't matured and your filter is not properly cycled yet (ie; it doesn't have the right colonies of bacteria to deal with the waste).

I wouldn't bother with the test strips; they're notoriously inaccurate and you'd be better off sticking with the liquid tests.

Really all you can do is keep testing and do large water changes any time you see any ammonia or nitrites. Make sure the new water is warmed and dechlorinated and be very careful cleaning your filter; a gentle swish in old tank water to remove the worst of the 'gunk' is all that's needed.

Best of luck, and I'm sorry for the loss of your fishies

 

[Orangecrayon]

Kind of expected the nitrite spike to happen eventually, just a little surprised my Cory is still swimming around happily. Lost both swords and one of my guppys has presented with ich...... so I'm gonna have to try a water change tonight after work and raise the temp a bit to help with the ich. A friend is giving me some salt (she runs a salt water) to help treat the ich as a last resort. Both my pregnant guppies as well as the babies still in the tank are happy and ok so far (fingers crossed)