julie thorns

hi i have a 4ft x3ft juel tank i have about 10 green tigers recently i noticed that one was getting smaller and as a result of that went black in coulor it dies about 3 days ago and ive now noticed that another one is doing this i have had my barbs since i started with my tanks and got my new one about a month ago was just wondering if this is a disease or if its just old please help me1

aquarist48

Hello Julie Thorns and Welcome to Fish Lore. So sorry to hear about your fish loss and issues. I see in your aquarium information that you are unaware of the nitrogen cycle that is crucial to fish keeping. Link below:
The Aquarium Nitrogen Cycle
Read it over and when you have questions by all means ask. I have a feeling your tank may be dealing with ammonia issues seeing that it has only been set up for one month.
Can you post readings for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels?

I would suggest at this point doing a 50% water change, add some Prime or Amquel + just in case you do have ammonia issues. The Prime and Amquel + will detox the ammonia for 24 hours.

Test Kits: What is most recommended is the API (liquid) Master test kit. This kit will test for everything mentioned in the Nitrogen Cycle link.

Best of luck and keep us updated.
Ken

peacemaker92

Hi Julie and Welcome to Fishlore!

According to your aquarium info, you don't know about the nitrogen cycle. This link maybe helpful to you.

http://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm

Do you have a test kit? Members here recommend the API master test kit. It's essential for you to get one.

Your fishes including your sharks and plecos might be suffering from ammonia poisoning probably because your tank isn't cycled yet. Please keep us updated.

peacemaker92

Ken beat me to it! haha Well explained by Ken Good luck!

julie thorns

wow so many replies already i have a friend who has a testing kit hes been doing the tests for me will get him around tonite to test the water did water change this morning they all seem fine now i was quite worried about them when i got up and put the lights on they were all kind of floating (resting)at the bottom of the tank i fed them and they seem to of come back as useaull but wen my friend does the test will put up the readings thanks also where is the best place to buy the testing kits? thanks guys x

peacemaker92

I wouldn't know where but you can always try online if you can't find the API master test kit in your LFS.

Shawnie

welcome to fishlore!!!!!! great advice from other members but wanted to welcome you

julie thorns

found an api test master kit on ebay silly question i no i do get the freshwater one dont i? my friend nomally uses his blimey i sound like i dont no a thing i am not very good with the tecnical bits sorry guys

oh and before i found this site i did at 20% water change and you have recommended that i do a 50% how long should i leave it now until i do that? sorry im a newbe x

peacemaker92

IMO, you can do an average of 25-40% water change a week. Depending on how many gallons is your tank. Stating your tank size in gallons would be much easier for other members to help you Check out our aquarium calculator to identify how many gallons your tank holds.

http://www.fishlore.com/ConversionCalculator.htm

julie thorns

it says that its 63.41 gallons that doesnt sound good does it? just about to test the water

my friend has just been over and tested all the water and it all comes back 0 so thats a plus he said there was an established filter in the tank to start it and the reason they were sitting atthe bottom of the tank looking colourless they were asleep apparently lol

Shawnie

what test kit is he using? there shouldnt be all 0's in an established tank unless you have a ton of plants....although fish will have much less color when you first turn on the lights after sleeping, making sure the tank is cycled is very important id still get your own test kit to be sure and yes you want a fresh water api master test kit..they will give you all you need in one kit and the ability to test for hundreds of times

julie thorns

it was an api with the colour chart and the numbers next to it i will get my own test kit just dont have the funds till the end of the month thank you for your help x

Shawnie

have him really shake and bang that number 2 bottle for the nitrates on a hard surface..then have him test again..the crystals in that bottle are a pain to mix up and get a correct reading....you should have under a 20 nitrate reading for a cycled tank....

julie thorns

he did do that maybe the tests ur both using are different will just have to buy my own kit at the end of the month

gunner13

Hi J T welcome 2 fishlore. Worthing just up the road from me, Portslade. Is your tank the RIO 240?

julie thorns

hey gunner yeah its a 240 why the sad face?yh portslade isnt to far wot tank have you got?

gunner13

Was a question mark but came out a sad face. I also have a rio 240 it has the bio-flo 3.0 filter system with the new t5 high lights. I have had a juwel b4 but got the 240 in september. Small world ay being just down the road.

Nick

julie thorns

i love my tank and now hav MTS{multiple tank syndrome} and i really want another one really into my plecs ive got 2 common plecs but would love a scarlet there lovely x