claws

Hey, I have a 13.5L tank (thats around 3.4 US Gallons), I've had it for about 2 months max. I've kept balloon molly's and bristlenose catfish. I currently have 3 mollys and 2 catfish but I've lost 5 molly's and 1 catfish since starting my tank. I have an internal filter, which I squeeze out into my tank a jug of my tank water whenever I clean my tank. I usually do a full tank clean every week (where i remove everything from the tank, all the water as well) and do 15-20% water changes every day in between). My last full tank cleanout was Thursday. When I add new water back in i dechlorinate with aqua master safe guard 5.

When I first set up my tank I put fish in a couple of days after I set up my internal filter. But I wasn't told about the nitrogen cycle. My water tests say my ammonia is at around 0.8ppm, nitrite- 1ppm, nitrate- 10ppm today. I add salt into my tank for my molly's and a shell to keep the pH up its currently at 7.4 maybe a little higher, I dont have a heater. And I recently (2 days ago) lost my latest molly, I investigated, and he had red inflamed gills (Ammonia Poisoning) Another of my molly's has inflamed gills but she is still allive, she's not as lively as the other two mollys, do you think she's going to die soon? Is there anyway that I can cure her? I have real ammonia problems where it'll go from 0 to 4ppm in the space of 24 hours. I used to have a plant in there and that should take up some of the ammonia but it still spikes and the plant deteriorated so I removed it. How can I stop my ammonia from spiking like that?!

I want to know if you think my ammonia cycle has started? or is going? How do I know if it is? and once its going then what, do I just do 50% water changes every couple of days? HELP! I dont want to lose anymore fish.

I just need help. I ask my aquarium and my petstores the same questions and they give me different answers. Its frustrating! I feel like a murderer because of all my fish that have died.

Amanda

You're in the middle of cycling. Read up on the Nitrogen Cycle, we have a good guide here on the site.
Your tank is SEVERELY overstocked. With a 3 gal., you could have a betta...maybe some shrimp. But that's about it.
Also, there is no need to clean the entire tank once a week. WHen you do that you are starting the cycle all over again! Just partial water changes everyday until the cycle completes will suffice. Then a weekly water change after that.

Shawnie

welcome to fishlore!!! your tank is not cycled and it will be when you have 0 ammonia/nitrites and under 20 nitrates....I would find some prime or amquel+ and do daily water changes..one of those two will make the fish safe for 24 hours until your next change....I would stop using the salt as most fish in the aquarium trade, are not use to it..and catfish especially dont do well with it..good luck!

Lucy

Welcome to FishLore
Good advice above. You might also want to consider getting a bigger tank.
With a small tank like yours it's going to be harder to keep the water consistant.
Your fish are going to be (if not already) too big for your tank. Not only their size, but the waste they create.
Best of luck.

claws

I should have come here first. Ok, so I obviously need a larger tank. I have size constraints because I keep my fishtank in my bedroom. In your opinion, for my 3 mollys and 2 bristlenose catfish. Would you say a 10-20 gallon tank be adequate? I didn't quite understand the info at the bottom of your post. If I dont get anymore fish. Would this make my tank easier to maintain? and cycle properly?

The Prime info is a good idea, I'll look for it. Thanks so much.

Lucy

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be confusing. Which part? I'll see if I can explain it better.
I looked up the profiles of your fish and it looks like they should have at least a 20 gallon.

Stores are wonderful for just selling you a tank and whatever fish you like without explaining their needs. That really irks me because they should know better and help a new fish keeper succeed.

aquarist48

Hello Claws and Welcome to Fish Lore. Sorry to hear you're having fish woes...I would suggest a tank no less than 30g -113.5L for the stock that you currently have. You have to take into consideration the Adult size of the fish you want to keep when selecting an aquarium. I hate that you weren't given information by your local fish store but that's how it usually goes. Your Bristle Nose can grow to 6 inches. Too, they are large waste producers. Molly's need room to swim and grow as well. If a large species of fish is kept in a tank too small it will be stunted and not survive for long.

A good idea for a water change and add Prime or Amquel + to detox the ammonia. Keep up with the water changes as mentioned above.

Best of luck and please keep us updated. Many of us have been where you are. It will get better but it will take some work on your part.
Ken

claws

I didn't quite get the "10 - 1 betta/20 - community/ 20 - 5 bettas/ 55 - cichlids" At the bottom of your post. Does it mean that 20 Gallon I could have a community or 5 betta. I swear Im not dumb, its just 12.30 at night over here and my pillow is calling.

And I'll go out and look for a 20 galloon tank in the next week, unfortunately I found them to be expensive; thats why I got a little one and not a big one. I guess the pet stores just want you to spend more money there... whether its buying and rebuying tanks or buying new fish. I just figured out that problem with the petstores when I read your post. I wish that they'd told me, they should tell you... but then again, maybe some of the staff dont know any better. I dont know their training proceedures. Oh well. And I should definately stop using the salt?! because I checked the molly page and it does mention having salt in the tank. Could I just put a little bit in there? That way Im helping out the mollys but not stressing my catfish? because my molly's do seem to be doing better. Oh and another question, I couldn't find the exact page on my bristlynose catfish, how long do they live?

jdhef

Welcome to FishLore!

That is just Amanda's signature. It is saying she has a 10 gallon tank with one beta, a 20 gallon community tank, a 20 gallon with 5 bettas (either divided or an all female tank) and a 55 gallon tank with cichlids in it.

Many people here suffer from MTS (multiple tank syndrome) and if your not careful you may catch it too.

Lucy

Oh, that Amand'a signature. Those are the tanks she has.
Do you have a Craig's List where you live? You can usually pick up a good deal there.
I agree, most of the time, the staff doesn't know better or they just want to make a sale.
Mollys can tolerate salt, it's your BN's that could have problems with it.

claws

Oh, I get it. Thanks. :P