sharkin!

hi, can anyone please help or advise.

had my tank 5 weeks now, had fish in it for 2 weeks, followed all instructions regarding the cycle etc....test my water everyday using the tetra 5 in 1 sticks, everytime the readings all say my water is ok, also been taking my water to the local fish store once a week to be tested, just to make sure ( everything is fine with the results ).

1st fish added 14 days ago, 2 mickey mouse platys ( small babies ), then i added 2 otto catfish after the platys had been in for 5 days, all water tests during this first period showed no problems.....then 4 days ago i added 3 panda corys, and my problems started....2 of them just dissappeared, still cant find them, and this morning i found the third cory, and one of my ottos dead on the bottom of the tank....why is this happening? and how can i stop it?killing my 3 remaning fish.

i did a water change just after i added my corys, and another last night when my otto started looking ill ( this morning he was dead )...ive been to fish store today, and theyve sold me a anti bacterial tonic....not sure how to use correctly...do i remove my filter for the duration of the treatment?...will this harm the fish if i do....?

any advice most welcome..

Shawnie

welcome to fishlore !!

sorry you are having issues but the biggest one I see, is test strips arent very reliable at all and I dont think your tank is cycled...unless you used tetra safestart or bio spira, a 2 week cycle is tough...and most of your fish stores use strips as well..so I would go get some prime water condioner, and an API liquid master test kit, and do you own testing...daily water changes of at least 50% with some prime will help them recover for now until you know for sure about the cycle...

corys are super super sensitive to water conditions so thats whats making me think the cycle never finished...also, I woulndt use any meds like the bacterial tonic until you can test with the liquid test to make sure the cycle is complete...goodluck!

Lucy

Some anti bacterial medication will harm the beneficial bacteria you're trying to establish, prolonging the cycle or killing it altogether.
If you decide to use it, remove the carbon, because it will filter out the meds.

But I agree with Shawnie, until you know your exact readings for ammonia, nitrite and nitrates using a liquid test kit such as the API Master kit, I'd hold off on treatment.

sharkin!

thanks for the quick replies...ive had the liquid tests done at my local fish store, well 2 different stores ( just to make sure on the results), both came back ok, and the guys at the fish store said my cycle was now complete. the filter media in my filter, i take it this is were the carbon is? so to remove the carbon, i will have to remove the entire filter media? will it be ok to do this? as the treatment i got from the fish store lasts for 7 days, 2 doses. 1 now and another in 4 days time.

Lucy

Only remove the carbon, if you remove the entire media, you could lose your cycle.

Some catridges you can just open up and dump it out, but others, like mine, I had to make a slit in it to dump it out.

What did they say your readings for ammonia, nitrite and nitrates?

If you're going to medicate your tank, take note of Shawnie's post and get yourself a test kit (liquid, preferably the API Mater Kit) so you know if the meds throw you cycle off.

sharkin!

i dont think i really want to go down the medication road...not unless i really have too...i'll do another water change tomorrow 40%-50%, and keep a close eye on my remaining otto, she doesnt look to be affected by any problems at the moment...so fingers crossed, and the two baby platy, are looking just fine

is there any natural products out there to give the tank a good clean and help the fish?...the only things ive added to the tank so far are the filter helpers "stress zyme" and tap water conditioner during my water change and first set up,stress coat and some liquid plant food.

i'll purchase one of them master test kits this weekend

once again thanks for your help and advice

Shawnie

just a lil more advice, dont ever trust your LFS...if you want to keep healthy fish and keep them prestine, get your own test...most (but not all) will tell you to buy things you really dont need..and they have not a clue how your tank is and just go on what your saying as fact...most will tell you the cycle is complete, because that means theres a sale in the making..whether it be with fish, or other things..id return the meds, and get a test kit but thats me

sharkin!

ok, i purchased the api test kit....

results are...

pH.....7.6
PH HIGH RANGE...8.0
AMMONIA....0
nitrate N02....0
NITRATE N03...0

WATER TEMP IS 78 / 26

i havent added any meds, will return them to the fish store, a guy at my local fish store told me to add some aquarium salts to my tank...anyone know what these are like?

thanks in advance

Shawnie

do you have a planted tank? if not, you should have some nitrate readings for a correct cycle..under 20 is good...i wouldnt mess with the ph..most fish will adapt as long as its steady and doesnt bounce around...

sharkin!

yes i have a fully planted tank....5 live plants in there...and 2 plastic!...just done a 40% water change and given the tank a good clean gravel, rocks and plastic plants etc....i did find one of my corys dead...buried in the substrate (poor little guy)....also went back to the fish store and told them my problems...the guy was really good about it, plenty of advice and also will replace my dead corys for free when the tank has settled down and i have no more problems, which i thought was good of them....

sharkin!

hi guys...

just wanted to say thanks for all the advice etc....my tank has settled down now, my remaining fish are looking healthy, and i introduced 3 new otts to the tank, they have settled in well over the last week, you should have seen my remaining otto when i brought the 3 new ottos arrived from the fish store, that was one seriously happy fish!! now ive got 4 ottos all shoaling together, a beautiful site....

Lucy

We like to see happy fish, so post some pics soon.

I'm really glad things setttled down for you.