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February 7th, 2009
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| | Fish Lore Newbie
| problem losing fish and dealing with conflicting info
Hi, I'm hoping to get some useful info as am currently having problems with my new tank. I have a 60 litre biorb and have followed all instructions, added stress zyme and de-clorinator. Some info provided advised could add fish after 24hrs but I waited 7 days and purchased 3 neon tetras and 3 black widow tetras but 2 died within 24hrs. I took a sample of my water to an aquatics store and was advised my water is fine. I purchased Myxazin fin rot and ulcers and was advised to treat with this and remove carbon for 24hrs. The remainder fish died! I them went on to purchase 3 guppies yesterday and introduced them to the tank as advised. All seemed fine at first, today replaced the carbon and a few hrs later 2 of the guppies are now dead! The guppies did not show any signs of distress. Any helpful info would be well appreciated. Thanks | 
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February 7th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| I would agree with Amanda. It sounds like you have gotten bad advice from your local fish store. ( We all have!) Stress Zyme is not helping and I would discontinue using it. It will prevent your tank from cycling. I know...I used it too! In fact I still have 3/4 of a bottle sitting in my closet now. I would get some Prime or Stress Coat + (not stresszyme!) to condition your water during water changes. With fish you will have to do frequent...daily water changes. Also...first step should be to pick up your own test kit ( LIQUID TEST NOT STRIPS!) Dont trust a fishstores or anyone elses water tests!
You found a great site here and tons of info is at your fingertips from folks who have made the same mistakes you have.
Best Wishes,
Nate | |
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February 7th, 2009
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| | Moderator
| Hi welcome to Fish Lore 
I'm really sorry about your fish. I know it's frustrating to lose fish and not know why.
When things go wrong with your tank the first thing to check are your water parameters.
You'll need a test kit to test for ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. Look into a liquid kit such as the API master kit. The strips tend to be a lot less accurate.
It's a good bet you lost your fish from ammonia poisoning. In an uncycled tank ammonia builds up from fish waste and left over food.
The links Amanda gave you will explain the nitrogen cycle.
Since you no longer have fish in the tank, please consider finishing up the cycle with out fish.
Good luck | 
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February 7th, 2009
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| | Fish Lore Newbie
| How long would you recommend? cant believe I was advise could add after 24hrs!! Have been searching online for the bio spira which seems highly recommended, I am 10 days in now thou so thinking I might just try again in several days but dont like the idea of adding more fish for them to become stressed and die. Thanks for the quick reply. | |
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February 7th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| Tetra SafeStart is freshwater BioSpira, in case you couldn't find it. | |
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February 7th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| How long..well lets put it this way. I have been doing the "fishless cycle" (see the link Amanda put up) for 32 days and its still not done. LOL
This is a hurry up and wait hobby. Every local fish store in my town said it was ok to add fish right away as well. Great for the cash register bad for the fish.  | |
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February 7th, 2009
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| | Moderator
| It can take anywhere from a few weeks to a month to cycle a tank.
If you decide to add fish you'll have to do 50% water changes until your tank is cycled. You know you're cycled when your readings are 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites with some nitrates showing. It takes longer to cycle with fish.
If you cycling with out fish you won't have to worry about your fish or doing daily water changes. | |
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February 7th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| Quote:
Originally Posted by l.chaudry  How long would you recommend? cant believe I was advise could add after 24hrs!! Have been searching online for the bio spira which seems highly recommended, I am 10 days in now thou so thinking I might just try again in several days but dont like the idea of adding more fish for them to become stressed and die. Thanks for the quick reply. | Unfortunatly fishstores will tell you that you can, then when you try to get a refund for the fish you get the "your tank isn't cycled, buy more fish, and this product".
Do you have a test kit to get your pH, nitrite,nitrates, ammonia? IF you leave your tank be for a few days and test the water everyday you will see the cycle go. The ammonia and nitrtie will spike, then the nitrates will come up. When the ammonia/nitrites are back to normal then your tank is cycled. | |
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February 7th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| Quote:
Originally Posted by Nathan Allen How long..well lets put it this way. I have been doing the "fishless cycle" (see the link Amanda put up) for 32 days and its still not done. LOL
This is a hurry up and wait hobby. Every local fish store in my town said it was ok to add fish right away as well. Great for the cash register bad for the fish. | Have you been feeding your bacteria good? Or can you use filter media from another tank?
Someone posted on the SW section, sw ages like fine wine, honestly for a good FW tank that holds true.
You can spend the fishless cycle time looking at all the amazing fish that you can buy on the net, planning your next tank (if Multi tank syndrome hits). | |
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February 7th, 2009
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| | Fish Lore Newbie
| Thanks alot for the advice, I will not be adding any more fish to my tank until I am certain the tank is cycled correctly. Was worried it was a problem with the tank I had picked. Obviously just been to eager and taken wrong advice which is upsetting as don't want to see the fish suffer. Thanks again. | |
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February 7th, 2009
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| | Moderator
| Good luck, I'm sure things will get better.
Oh, one more thing, what size tnk do you have? Your title says 60 gallons, but your aquarium info says 60 liters. | |
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February 7th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| Quote:
Originally Posted by steveangela1 Have you been feeding your bacteria good? Or can you use filter media from another tank?
Someone posted on the SW section, sw ages like fine wine, honestly for a good fw tank that holds true.
You can spend the fishless cycle time looking at all the amazing fish that you can buy on the net, planning your next tank (if Multi tank syndrome hits). | I have been feeding as directed with ammonia but I stalled for awhile on my nitrites. It has been looking up the last week and I dont expect it will be much longer. I am not in a hurry and I do like a fine wine! I have been doing alot of research on plants,fish,substrates,water chemistry, and all the other fun stuff. For every one question I find an answer for there are 10 I think of. I really have been enjoying the learning involved in this. Oh and as far as MTS
I am already watching craigslist to try my hand at a aquascaped planted aquarium. They are breathtaking when done right aren't they?? The amount of knowledge available on this forum is mind boggling!
Last edited by Nate McFin; February 7th, 2009 at 09:34 PM.
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February 7th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| a lot of times doing a small water change when you get stuck with nitrItes will help finish things up for you
planted tanks are great, but unfortunately i dont have much of a green thumb . if you're looking for easy beginner low light plants, i'd recommend java fern, java moss, and anubias. even with my poor plant skills, all of those have survived and are doing well | |
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