|
|
|
New Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 5/11/2012 9:51:28 AM
Posts: 3,
Visits: 12
|
|
Hello, and thank you ahead of time to any replies. I'm sure this subject has been beat to death! I have done everything wrong to start off my tank and not sure where I am at in the process at this point. I thought I was doing a fishless cycle at start up. I set up my tank added the chemicals top fin conditioner and bacteria. I took a water sample three days later to pet store and was told i could now add fish. 3 neon tetras, Larry, Curley and Moe. Then my new pump was falling apart so I bought a new one and also changed the filter. Mistake! Then read never to start with neons so I added three Zebra Danios. They all died within a week. One actually died before I could transfer it to the tank. I then bought test strips that said my tank was fine. So I then did a water change because of the dead fish thinking it would save the Neons for sickness. I took everythimg out of the tank cleaned it all vacuumed the rocks and changed the filter again. Mistake! Took another water sample in for testing, they said its good so I add 2 Red tail black Variatus.This is within two weeks of start up. Then my water started getting cloudy so I added a top fin clarifier. Was then told I just needed bottom feeders so I added two Cory cats. Then I had one Neon die and yep, I did a water change and vaccuumed the rocks. I knew something wasn't right, I had foam at the top of the tank and a strong odor. so I bought a API Freshwater testing kit. I had ammonia at .05 and added amino lock, then took water to be tested again a week later and they said it was good. So I bought 4 more neons. Thats when I have really had the ammonia spikes to 0.50. So after more research I realize im killing off all my good bacteria. Then started water changes with just water 25% everyother day for two weeks. No drop in ammonia so was then told to add prime. no change was made in lowering it so was then told to add cycle. Well that spiked it to 2.0. this is at 4 weeks into start. I am now into week 5 am doing daily water changes with prime and it is still reading from 2.0 to 4.0. The ammonia smell is not as strong the fish are all still alive and acting happy. I can't imagine how! This is week 6. So I am wondering If I am getting false readings with the freshwater kit because it isn't as high when using the strips. So I know have 6 neon tetras 2 cory cats and 2 Redtail variatus. I know iv'e made a mess out of this start up, I had good intentions. Plz. Help my fish.
|
|
|
|
|
Senior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 2 days ago @ 6:07:16 PM
Posts: 1,029,
Visits: 3,488
|
|
Hi Justpeachy,
Welcome to the forum. Your experience is why so many people leave this wonderful hobby and that is sad. You have tried so hard to do it right and my hat is off to you. Here is my analysis of your situation:
The test kit you initially used didn't test for ammonia and probably only tested for nitrites, nitrates, pH etc. Taking your water for analysis to someone else was a good idea but clearly, didn't yield accurate results. My guess is they didn't test for ammonia.
Here is what I would do:
1. Return your fish to the store. Selling you bottom feeders and whatever is not the solution for clearing a cloudy tank.
2. Try to return the additives etc that you didn't need. The only thing you absolutely need is chlorine and chloramine remover. Its use is essential. Add it to your water prior to introducing the water to you tank.
3. Some people like the biological additives and say they work well. Using the biological additives are supposed to shorten the cycle time but in reality, I think it is only a few days at best. Its use is optional.
3.. Log on to the fishless cycle link http://www.fishchannel.com/media/fishkidz/beginner-fish/fishless-cycling.aspx.pdf this method works very well if followed exactly.
Feel free to ask any questions you may have after you read the fishless cycle link. We are happy to help.
SGN
|
|
|
|
|
New Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 5/11/2012 9:51:28 AM
Posts: 3,
Visits: 12
|
|
| Thank you for your quick reply, It's amazing how quickly you can get attached to the little buggers. I only want the best for them so I will follow your advice and take them back to the fish store. I live in a small town and went to the Library first to rescearch how to start up an aquarium. They only had two books and niether one really touched on cycleing a tank. I also did look online and found so many different conflicting articles. I wish I had found this site first, I'm sure the outcome would have been different. They are truly amazing creatures and hopefully after getting my tank cycled correctly, I will beable to be a better fish parent. 
|
|
|
|
|
Senior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 2 days ago @ 6:07:16 PM
Posts: 1,029,
Visits: 3,488
|
|
It was my pleasure and I wish you much success. I fully understand the attachment to our finned friends. They are so beautiful and we want to provide the best possible care. You will like this forum, everyone here is very friendly and willing to help. Please feel free to post your questions. Good luck!
SGN
|
|
|
|
|
New Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 5/11/2012 9:51:28 AM
Posts: 3,
Visits: 12
|
|
| Thank you SGN, I appreicate your kindness and help. I will be back on i'm sure with questions. I would love to add plants into my tank after I get a clue about what i'm doing. Lots of options to explore. 
|
|
|
|
|
Senior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 2 days ago @ 6:07:16 PM
Posts: 1,029,
Visits: 3,488
|
|
Oh yeah, live plants for sure. Great idea. Live plants plus a couple of cup fulls of substrate from a well-established tank will really help with your tank cycle.
SGN
|
|
|
|
|
Fish Moderator
Group: Moderators
Last Login: Today @ 6:22:03 PM
Posts: 4,019,
Visits: 10,390
|
|
Oh, I'm glad Stephen was on here to help you out today! That's a lot of misinformation, and I'm sorry you had to go through all that. Whoever told you to get Prime was probably the only one who had any good information, as it will bind up ammonia and nitrites for about a 24 hour period, lessening the toxicity. However, if you take the fish back to start a real fishless cycle, then you have no need of this.
55 gallon
Baby - lionhead/ryukin cross
Westie - lionhead/ryukin cross
Speedy Rodriguez - oranda
Currently searching for a good new tankmate!
planted 29 gallon
3 red eye tetras
4 cherry barbs
2 cardinal tetras
4 albino cories
2 Bolivian rams
|
|
|
|