KarenR

Do any of you feel there is better success with glass tanks vs acrylic? The acrylic tank I have is 6.5g and everything I put in it seems to dye off. I am down to one tiger barb and one spotted Cory. The tank looks clean...very little algae. It stays at a constant 78*. I don't have a test kit so I'm not sure if the water is too hard or too soft. I had a VERY nippy tiger barb that I took home and put in a 1 gal unheated tank so I know his conditions aren't the best, but he is doing great. I don't understand why the fish I put in this tank don't do well.This was my third set of 6 tiny tiger barbs (over a 3 month period) and now I am down to one tiger. The same Cory has been in there right along. The tigers last for a few weeks then die off one by one.
I had guppies in it for a while but when they started to reproduce I put them in a larger glass tank. They are all doing great. If this last tiger doesn't make it I'm not sure what to do. I hate the fact that they die. I feel responsible.

Steve113

Acrylic or glass - Doesn't matter.
Neither material will be causing your fish to die.

You said you do not have a water test kit - so therefore you will be unaware of your water readings (ammonia, nitrate, nitrite and pH)

Poor water will kill your fish - get a water test kit - or if you can't get one take a sample of ytour water to a pet store (they will often check it for you for a very small charge if not free)

You will most likely have high readings for the above mentioned toxins in your tank and even in small quantities these toxins are harmful for fish.

How often do you change water?
Your Aqu' info says you don't know about the nitrogen cycle?

With your current stock you are most likely overstocked (which might mean your filter may struggle to keep up with the bio load[ammount of waste prduced] you say you have "way too many" guppy babies... How many?)

Do you have a heated & filtered tank?

you said 6.5 gal tank, your Aqu' info says 10gal?
.
Oh and you need to get a heater for the tiger barb soon too or re introduce him to the other tank (which I hope is heated)

An unheated tank is not ideal and though he may look fine now, he will most likely get sick.

If you do nothing else, then at least read this:
http://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm

Lucy

Hi Karen welcome to Fish Lore

I'm really sorry you've lost fish. I know hoe frustrating that it.

I've kept fish in both glass and acrylic and haven't noticed a difference.
I've heard some people say they have a tank that they just can't keep fish alive in while their other tanks are fine.

Of course, it could very well be that your fish are feeling the effects of a cycling tank.
Read the link that Steve provided, it it'll help you understand the changes your tank goes through and how to deal with that.

Good luck.

Steve113

oh, How rude of me,
I always forget that bit! :P

Hi Karen welcome to Fish Lore

KarenR

Oh no, Steve not at all rude Thanks to you and Lucy for taking the time to reply.

I do need to get a test kit...you are absolutely right. I'm driving blind this way.

The guppies are in the 10gal glass tank doing and very well.

It's the 6.5gal acrylic tank has the problems. That only has one tiny tiger barb left and 1 cory. It is heated at a constant 78*. It has a filter w/a bio wheel. I thought of putting the other tiger back in there but he chased and nipped the others relentlessly. He is much bigger than the little tiger barb. You are right though...he deserves a proper home. I won't move him back until I can test the water. I don't want him to die as well.

Thanks again for your thoughts. I will need much advice I'm sure.

KarenR

P.S.
This 6.5 gal tank has been set up for over a year. I change about 1/4 (or less) water once a week or so.

-Karen

KarenR

I got the test kit today and all the numbers seem to be right where they are supposed to be. Maybe I'll bring "Mr. Nippy" back tomorrow

Red1313

One comment, tiger barbs need groups of at least 6 and a 20 gal tank for that group. You may have had an over stocked tank as part of your problem.

KarenR

I discovered that after I started with the first set of 3. Out of that group Mr. Nippy killed one and the other died. I got a couple more and he chased them so badly I took him out of the tank and got some tiny ones. 5 out of 6 died over 5 weeks. I got 5 more but I have only 1 left. The tank is small but I always seem to have one tiger left by it's self. I was going to take the nippy one down there (it is on my desk at work) but the one that is in the tank now is very tiny and Mr. Nippy is much larger. I know the tigers need to school but I can't buy any more. As you mentioned....it would get crowded as they grew. I'm sure my local fish store won't take the solo tiger off my hands. As long as he's alive I'll give it a home