kittielarue

My friend had to leave the country and knowing how much I love her fish gave them to me.
So I've just inherited a small tank (no idea what size) which I believe is : freshwater, no filter, light, heater or anything. It just looks like a plastic tank with a lid on it and gravel in the bottom. And of course the fish themselves, four Leopard Danios. (I know that's a bit small for a school, she did originally have more but a couple died.)

But the thing is I've never had fish before, I know how to feed them but that's about it.

Once a week I switch 10% of the water (which has already been sat for a day) is that right?
How often do I clean the whole tank? I scoop them in a net, put them in a bag of tank water but then how do I put them back in the new clean tank of water (that I assume must also have sat out for a day)? Just 'gently' or more specific than that?

Any idea how I can find out what size the tank is?

Sorry for the mass of questions but I really have no idea about some of this stuff and I really want the fish to be okay.

Thanks.
Kittie.x

tzqng8

First off, welcome home. You've come to the right place for help, so let's get to it.

First, can you take measurements of the tank? Height, length, and depth. That will allow us to figure volume which will be needed to figure out what filter, heater, etc. you will need.

Second, are you willing to spend money on these fish to save them? They need saving, but do you have the means to do so? We can help as much as we can, but depending on whether you are willing to spend $30 or so will make a difference.

Can you get pictures of the tank and post them? That might help as well.

The tank needs a heater (water needs to stay constant at around 78F) and a filter at the least. That tank is not getting any filtration, heat, or aeration which is very stressful for the fish. For now, until anything else can be done, continue doing water changes at least once per day, about 10-20% of the water. You don't need to remove the fish. That is probably just creating more stress.

Just use a cup that has not been washed ever before (maybe a Styrofoam cup) and dump the water out. Do the same putting water back in, but make sure it is dechlorinated if you are using tap water. Are you? And do you have a water conditioner to use?

A lot of questions, but we'll get you on the right track.

Chief_waterchanger

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

Take a measuring tape and measure the length, width, and depth of the tank (out-side of the tank) and list those please? Example: 18 inches long x 10 inches wide x 12 inches deep. (Pulled those numbers out of nowhere, just example numbers.)

I would up the % of waterchange to 25-30% per week. You do not have to remove the fish to do the waterchange, just get a clear plastic tube and put one end in the water and suck the other end one brief, sharp inhale then point it at a bucket and wham-o.. water change started.

(If the fish goes through the tube, during the waterchange, just net it back into the tank.. we have fish do that frequently. )


Edit: Was beat to the punch, but his info is good.

Question: Are there items in the tank such as decorations/substrate (gravel/sand bottom)/etc that were there when it was previously setup? For how long was it set up previously? And for how long was it without water in the tank, during the moving process of the tank? (You may not have lost the cycle, if it was cycled, during the moving process, but those answers should tell us whether it was probable or not.

tzqng8

And if the Chief tells you to do something that contradicts something I say, LISTEN TO CHIEF! That guy is a hero to everyone around here.

Thanks CWC!

Chief_waterchanger

LoL! Thank you Thomas, but you did quite well, yourself.

(The styrofoam cup idea is sooo much easier for a lot of people. I guess I forget about that because of all the siphon practice I have had. )

tzqng8

Kind of off topic...

It depends on the size of the tank. For my 5g for my male Betta, a cup is way easier than the Python or even a regular syphon. Just my opinion. If she comes back with a 30g tank, I'll be way wrong!

HatchetHaven

I did the cup thing on my 7.5gal about a year ago, and it was a nightmare. Nice to see another UK member, there was only about 3 of us for a while but then it just exploded! Here's a tip: search out your local Maidenhead aquatics, it's the only fish store you will ever need. (God bless that chain!)

Never clean out the whole tank! That damages the bacteria a lot, and the bacteria is what helps out. YOU NEED A FILTER AND HEATER in order to keep tropical fish. The filter (when properly cycled - Thomas gave you a link to find out how to cycle it) converts ammonia into nitrite, and nitrite into nitrate. Your weekly water change should remove the excess nitrate. Now, if you read those links posted earlier you should know what Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate are. The heater is obvious: keeps the water at the temperature your fish require.

Check out this link: http://www.fishlore.com/ConversionCalculator.htm
I use it all the time, and if you scroll down to the bottom of the page, you will find a handy little tool for finding out your tank's size...

Oh yeah - listed to CWC no matter what - he's a fish legend, compared to me who is (IMO) a complete idiot! (Just don't click on a thread entitled 'My latest crazy idea!'... They are somewhat imaginative but plain crazy all the same!

kittielarue

Wow, thanks so much for the quick replies! The fish haven't been moved yet, they belonged to my boyfriend's housemate so the tank has been shimmied into his room until a (car-enabled) friend of ours can drive it round to mine tomorrow. Thanks for the advice I shall make sure we keep the same water! I had wondered how cleaning the whole tank worked with the cycling process but thought I was just being blonde. Oh and in response to questions, I don't think it's ever been cycled previously. I don't think my friend researched how to take care of them before she got them.

I am willing to spend money to save these guys, I'm responsible for them now; but I'm just graduating uni and wallowing in student debt so the cheaper the better. But obviously, I can't just let them die, if they need it I'll find a way to afford it.

Thanks for the tip on the Maidenhead chain, I really need to find out where the nearest pet shop is, I haven't a clue.
I'll post again tomorrow when I can measure the dimensions and take pics for you guys.
Thanks so much for all your help!
Kittie.x

HatchetHaven

Maidenhead is often located in a garden centre. It usually says. Anyhow, http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.u...ory_search.php will help you in your search for an LFS! (Local fish store!) The entire PFK website is very good, I recommend you read it. Also, I know how you can instantly cycle your tank. There is a product called Tetra SafeStart out right now, that instantly cycles your tank. It's easy to find in the UK - don't worry. It should save the fish a lot of misery!

kittielarue

Update!

Hey guys, thanks again for all your help! My sister gave me a large tank for my birthday so now my fishies are all sorted and healthy and I'm thinking of getting four zebra danios and maybe a beta to join them
anyhoo, here are some pics of the old teenyweeny tank and pics of them now in their shiney new one. Enjoy!









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Lucy

Hi kittielarue Welcome to Fish Lore.....yeah about CWC, I would take his advise any day, except for the sucking on the tube part . lol

They're pretty fish, thanks for sharing the pictures. What size tank did you get?

mrsmuffin

Glad to hear that you upgraded their tank. Please, please, please don't plan on putting a betta in with those danios. They will not get along, and the results will not be pretty! Betta's are generally, with a few exceptions, solitary fish and should be kept alone.

David C

They look much happier in the new tank, congrats on the B-day present

HatchetHaven

IT IS IMPOSSIBLE to keep even a 'community friendly' betta with danios unless it is a humongous tank. Because Danios can't resist nipping Betta fins! It may work for a few months - but it will explode some time.