ruthiesmom

Hi all
Glad to have found this forum, I need some help. We have a 10 gal tank that has been set up with fish for abot 5-6 mth. Guppies, Molly, and tetris,we have tried 2 times too add a pleco and both times they have died within a week. I don't seem to be having any problem with any of the other fish. Yesterday it was swimming all over today after work he was floating. When I scooped him out he looked like he had a bald spot on his side between his fins and head? This is our first tank and don't know much what might be the problem?
Thanks
Tina

Shawnie

welcome to fishlore!!!

do you know about the nitrogen cycle and ammonia and nitrites and nitrates? It sounds like ammonia poisioning....even tho you have had your tank for awile, it could be overstocked depending on how many fish you have...how often do you change the water and vacuum? and a plec is too big for a 10 gal so once you figure out your water readings, you can go from there...

heres a great link http://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm

pepetj

Welcome to fishlore ruthiesmom:

Your tank may be overstocked and adding the pleco's biological load could have surpassed the capacity of your bacterial colonies to cope with it.

I see in your profile you answered NO to the nitrogen cycle question. Please take some time to read it (first time I ever heard of such thing was here in Fishlore; getting to know this information has allowed me to successfully keep 7 tanks runnings)

Please check it out in the following link:
http://www.fishlore.com/Articles/TheNitrogenCycle.htm

Make yourself at home

Pepe
Santo Domingo

PS We love pics here. Hope you can upload a few of your tank for us.

ruthiesmom

OK
I just tested the water
nitrates are showing between 20-40 safe (no+3)
nitrate (no-2) shows safe
water- is hard
chlorine is safe
alkanity -shows moderate
pH level- nuetral
what does that tell us?

Shawnie

under 20 is best for nitrates...and what do you mean safe for nitrites(assuming thats what you meant with no-2) and what do you have for ammonia?

ruthiesmom

Also how many fish should I have there are 7 fish now.

ruthiesmom

My test kit does not have ammonia test levels, is there a special test kit for ammonia? Sorry for the stupid quetions.
Tina

Shawnie

dont be sorry....most of us like the API master liquid test kit as it has everything you need in one box.....and what I would reccomend for now until you can find out all of your readings, is maybe pick up some prime water conditioner and do daily 30-40% water changes with prime and it will neutralize any harmful ammonia or nitrites for 24 hours until another change.. the seven fishies you have will have you stocked to the limit with a lil bit over...usually its 1" of adult fish to each gallon...so you have about 14-16" of fish which makes the water change more important....

ruthiesmom

Ok so I have been trying to read through some of the posts about the nitrogen cycles. But I am still confused as how to start this after I have the tank and fish alredy aquainted with there surrounding? I will be going to the store tommorrow, what will I need to to try and get this started? I have never heard of any of this. They do not even tell you about this when you buy the tank. I even asked and all they told me to do was float them so they get used to the temp.
Thanks
Tina

Shawnie

most stores wont tell you because they just want to selll fish n things....you will be cycleing with fish so you will need some prime, and an api liquid master test kit...then with daily water changes and the prime, patience until the cycle completes ...which will be when ammonia and nitrites are 0 and nitrates are under 20 ...(which is what your test kit is for) ...if they sell tetra safestart, that will save lots of time but not alot of places do...the safestart is the good bacteria you need to cycle the tank but without it, the daily changes are whats needed...goodluck!

ruthiesmom

Shawnie
Thank you. I will be staring this over the weekend I keep you posted on how it goes. General rule of thumb on how long this may take?
Tina

Shawnie

well thats hard to say..took me 9 weeks for my 75 gal...and it was so frustrating...but my fish made it thank god!! I never knew about any of this either until I joined here....all I can say is try not to loose hope and your welcome for the help...

after the tank cycles, you can always keep extra filter sponge in your tank to always have one ready in case you get another tank then you wont have to deal with this cycle stuff no more

CHoffman

Never thought of that...THANKS..I'm going to be starting another tank soon so great advise. Do you just put the sponge filter whereever there is room in the filter or is there a specific place for it?

Shawnie

if you can, right in the filter box...but anywhere is great..takes about 2-3 weeks to have it seeded where I feel safe with it

fishlover78

10 gallons for a pleco? I had to give up my pleco that was in a 27 gallon tank!