amolnsys

Hi guys....i have 14 gallon freshwater tank with 2thai gurami 3 platy and 9 neon tetras....
its juts 3days since i had set up the tank.....

As many of my fish died...and remaining with what i mentioned above.
I heard that i should some salt in the water while i am doing 20%water change. i did and found that now my fishes are fine and doing good....

I dint understand y do we need to add salt and for how long? can ne one pls suggest...

Also advice whether i should keep any snails inside the water or not...read that they clean the waste inside the tank...i am aware that they multiply very fast but what if i keep only 1-2 will it be ok.. what is the right time to put them inside the tank?

i see lost of my fish waste lying on the gravel should i clean it or shall i leave it for the bracterias to grow?

SereneReyn

it's my understanding that the use of salt is widely debated... but that the consensus is that it is generally unnecessary.

it sounds to me like new tank syndrome... check out threads on 'cycling' a new tank. and no you shouldn't leave the fish waste, that's not exactly how it works... i'm sure someone more experienced will come along and give specifics. i don't believe snails clean 'waste'... algae, perhaps, but not fish poo. i don't think you should add anything. i think you should do a water change, i'd probably go closer to 30% than 20. and vacuum your gravel well when you do. what kind of filter do you use?

lyndatu

Welcome to Fishlore.com!

Sorry about the fish loss........it feels kinda sad.....

Yes, your tank is going through the Aquarium Nitrogen Cycle. For more info on the cycle:

http://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm

Salt is not a necessity, but I heard that it increases the fishes' resistance against external diseases and parasites, but yes, using salt is widely debated.......

Yes, you should clean the gravel by using a siphon. It will prevent them from decaying in the water.

Most snails can take a little salt. Snails can reproduce by themselves because they have both reproductive organs, and so does not need a partner. But I think keeping 1-2 can be fine. You can get rid of their eggs, but can be quite tricky.

Hope this helped.....good luck! Hope things go well!

ShaynaB

Wow. I'm sorry your fish store sold you all those fish. Fish stores are awful sometimes, but I think this one takes the cake.

What kind of salt did you use? I've heard aquarium salt is ok to use for anything but scaleless fish (like catfish). Personally, I've never used it though.

Can you find Bio-spira? I'd put that in there before I'd put anything else. I don't think I'd add any other fish or inverts until the tank is completely cycled (takes a while sometimes). It must be frustrating to lose so many fish in such a little time. Shame on that store.

Do you have a test kit so you can keep track of the cycle? The API Master Test Kit is a good one (some places sell it for relatively cheap. I think I'd try to find somewhere other than that store you went to originally.)

I'd siphon most of the waste up.

Good luck! I hope your fish make it through the cycle!

amolnsys

hi..
thanks a lot for all your valuable advices....lets hope all goes well... till now my fishes are doing good.

Blub

Hi!

Don't bother with snails or salt. In a livebearer-only aquarium - it's OK to use but not with other F/W fishes which can be damaged by it. Snails produce more waste than they clean up! Your tank is fully stocked now.


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