Faye Rod

We set up our 55 gallon used aquarium five weeks ago. We are first time aquarium owners. We added tetras three weeks ago and they died after a week. I got serious about water testing - ammonia, nitrites and nitrates have all have consistent reading of 0. pH 8.2 and dip GH of 75 PPM Because of the high pH pet stores have recommended salt and Proper pH 7.0 Which I have added to the tank with the expected results - same pH Gh 25

We have a guppy (on top of the tank) and a pleco (on the bottom of the tank) who seem healthy after living in the aquarium for 8 days. On another website the reply to my problem was:
"Are you sure your water is soft. A pH of 8.2 is very high and generally
it is caused by also having hard water. We would think you could raise
the KH much easier than you can bring the pH down. We would suggest
adding a bit of dolomite or crushed coral to the tank, just a bit in a
nylon stocking, knotted and then cut off to the knot. If the KH goes
to high then you can simply remove it. This will make great for the
African Cichlids that the store suggested. Generally independent pet
stores employ very knowledgeable professionals that have been dealing
with water parameters in the area and give very good advice."

I'm looking for a second opinion before I buy fish - the pet store recommended African Cichlids. I have been researching them and have found some types that are not supposed to be too aggressive. I was hoping for a quiet hobby!

Thanks for any help you can give.

Faye Rod

COBettaCouple

Welcome to FishLore.

As far as pH goes - the important thing is to have steady pH. The local stores should have similiar pH to you and the fish can be acclimated to it. pH altering products can have be hard on fish due to the up and down of changing pH.

Freshwater salt is something we only use for treating certain illnesses and not something we recommend adding regularly to a freshwater tank.

You should see some number for nitrates. Are you using dry test strips? They are notorious for poor results and I would recommend the API master freshwater kit for testing accurately.

Cichlids are great fish and you have a tank that would be a decent size for them.

Faye Rod

Thanks for your response. I have been reading a lot of the info on fishlore and am grateful for this forum. Am I correct that the only things I need to add (pH 8.2 and soft water from our community treatment plant) are Tetra Aquasafe for chlorine and Tetra Easy Balance Nitriban weekly for bacteria? I was thinking that Stresscoat would also be helpful to the fish.

I use the API liquid tests for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate - which continue to be 0. Since I set the tank up two weeks before adding fish - and put in used/rinsed gravel - and wasn't testing the water I think there could have been some of the cycling during that time. I then tested with strips - put in 10 tetras - they looked sick - (maybe pH, maybe inaccurate testing?) Beginner booboo - I treated the tank for Ick. And added salt at the recommendation of one of the pet stores nearby....and the 10 fish died. After a partial water change and safe readings we added a guppy and pleco 12 days ago who are doing great. We did another partical water change yesterday - and planted a few cabomba? plants. I think. I didn't write down the name. The pH remains at 8.2 and I'm deciding about what fish to add. Maybe Tiger Danios? The African Cichlids are a little inhibiting - large and aggressive? Are there any milder types that are recommended?

COBettaCouple

The only thing that we add to our water is tap water conditioner (Prime) and vitamins.

Cichlids can be beautiful, intelligent and fun - they can also be a challenge if they tank mates aren't right. www.cichlid-forum.com has profiles on MANY of the cichlid species for you to check the aggressiveness of the ones that you would like to have. Angels are one of the better choices for less aggressive cichlids, but they are cichlids and especially if they buddy up or go to mating, they can be tough on other tank inhabitants.

Faye Rod

Thanks - I came across the website yesterday and have been reading. If I get six zebra danios this week will I be able to add some cichlids later? The single guppy and pleco seem healthy and are enjoying having the 55 gallon tank to themselves - but I think I'm ready to give them some company. I'm looking for the hardy starter fish for now - and I read that zebra danios are a good dither fish for some of the cichlids.