5 Gallon Tank Newbie Help Please :)

Hey Everyone,

Ok I am going to get this out of the way first. I should of done more research before just going for it and buying a 5 gallon tank, also I really should of stopped by and visited a professional aquarium store, rather than a Pet Supermarket. Needless to say I got horrible advice, and glad I at least read SOME things before I trusted their advice.

I was sold a 5 gallon Marina tank, because it was all-in-one and perfect for my kids I was told. They said I needed only 3-5 days on getting my tank set up and I am good to add fish. Well I got the tank prepped, brought a sample on day 4 and got the 'green light' to buy some fish. I am not trying to bash the employees, but they made it seem like I could go for 5+ fish NO PROBLEM. Luckily this is where I did some research, but not great research. In the end I walked away with two guppies and two GloFish Tetras, all which now have names from my 6 and 4 year old.

Needless to say the more time that has past by the more educated I am, here is what I have done so far. After introducing the fish, I have been stressing to my children a little food goes a long way, feeding them in the morning and at night. Day 7 came around and I bought a test kit that everyone suggested and did my first tank clean. After conditioning the added water and about 24 hours the water went from a light haze to pretty clear. I have also been checking my Nitrite NO2 every other day and have been around .25ppm and steady. I know its supposed to be 0ppm, but figured maybe this is apart of the new tank cycle that I have read up on.

Fast forward a few more days and I noticed the tank having that hazy look so I decided to do a Ammonia test, which tested I would say 2.5-3.0 ppm. I then did a 50% clean, conditioned the added water (this was day 6 from the last tank clean). 24 hours later (today) I noticed I am still seeing a hazy look so I redid the tests and would say my Ammonia is still around 1.5 - 2.0 ppm. My Nitrite NO2 is .15-.2ppm, and Nitrate is 0 ppm.

I have not cleaned any filters or rinsed any decorations. I guess I am here looking for advice, and I do have an understanding after doing more research that I probably shouldn't have this amount of fish in this tank. Will I always be chasing Ammonia numbers, or do you think the good bacteria once cycling is completed will assist. Should I clean more until the cycle completes? Every other day? I actually have enjoyed this surprisingly and have found a level of peace in this, I just want my daughters fishes to live, and live a good life.

Thanks for taking the time to read this, Ill try and attach a few pictures.

Also P.S. I am trying to keep the light off more, but in the beginning was doing no light during the day and light at night so my kids had a 'fun night light'.

 

Welcome to Fishlore!

The ammonia and nitrite need to be as close to zero as possible. Daily water changes may be needed. Your tank is not overcrowded so it will eventually cycle and be ok. The cycle may take plus or minus a month give or take. So you will have some work ahead. At least 50% of a 5g is not much to change.

Do not clean anything during this time. You can scrape the front glass if needed. The haziness will go away with time. It wont hurt anything just looks ugly...lol Its all part of the process.

Limit light or algae will get bad. I would start with 8hrs when you want to view them.

Water changes will be your best friend for awhile.

 

Everyone is different on how they manage maintenance, live plants will help a lot in keeping things under control once the tank matures. I will do twice a week cleaning in all my tanks that are under 25 gal but that’s me. I do my 55 twice a week simple because it is in the same room as the Nano cube so I do 50% on nano and about 25-30 on the 55 as it easier to measure out conditioner for water. I do my 330gal once a week but in reality I could leave that to every 4 or 6 weeks. With a 5g and those fish I would do 50% twice a week.

 

Ah, yeah, this is unfortunate situation. I really do think fish stores should make this information more available, but I'm glad you're asking now.

A couple points...first, your parameters are pretty typical for a cycle either not having started or having just started. Have you used bottled bacteria at all? You unfortunately are going to have to do a fish-in cycle. Here's a good resource from this forum: Tips for fish-in cycling your freshwater aquarium

You should do another water change ASAP to keep your ammonia+nitrite below 1, and probably continue doing one every day or every other day depending on how your parameters look. Definitely test the water every day. A 5 gallon is unfortunately very difficult to maintain because it's such a low volume of water. Honestly, I'm kind of surprised those guys are still alive with 3ppm ammonia! Even .25 is bad for fish.

What kind of filter do you have? That will affect if after the cycling is completed, the tank will be able to support the fish without constant water changes. Either way, your tetra (I believe glofish tetra are black skirt tetra) are really not suited for a 5 gallon. You'll always want to check the caresheet of a fish before buying it. seriouslyfish is a common recommendation, but fishlore also has its own caresheets. But tetra are schooling fish that need at least 6+ in the tank, and they need at least 20 gallons. I would recommend seeing if you can return these guys to the pet store or otherwise rehome them.

The guppies are suitable for a 5 gallon tank (maybe up to 3?) but you'll want to make sure they're all the same gender or you're going to have a problem with babies. These guys are prolific breeders, and many people do not keep them in a 5 gallon tank for this reason.

A local fish store might've given you better advice, but there are some bad ones out there too. Without any official guidelines, your best bet to find information is on forums like these or subreddits like r/aquariums.

 

Ah, yeah, this is unfortunate situation. I really do think fish stores should make this information more available, but I'm glad you're asking now.

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A local fish store might've given you better advice, but there are some bad ones out there too. Without any official guidelines, your best bet to find information is on forums like these or subreddits like r/aquariums.

What you always need to remember the shop is there to make money and some are a lot less ethical about how they do it. A lot also look at fish as an expendable pet, not like a dog or rabbit that has feelings. Yes it stems back to carnival fish days but as fish owners even losing a shrimp gets me upset but I know I’m doing everything in my power to give my pets a long and healthy life.
It’s wrong that they sold you what they did but remember buyer beware and just do research. I’ve been keeping fish for almost 40 years and I still look come home research then go back and buy, I want to make sure my fish will be compatible, won’t eat all my shrimp how many j need in schools etc. if it doesn’t fit I leave it and wait till I see something that does.

 

Thanks everyone for the advice so far, and yes I have learned a lot the past 2 weeks. It has been really fun getting to understand Fresh Water tanks better, just kicking myself because I am usually a research nut and I jumped the gun.

I just got done doing another 50% change, and will retest 24 hours from now.

When it comes to filters I received a Marina Slim Bio Carb and Bio Clear S10.

 

As others said, do daily water changes, get those numbers down, I personally would recommend doing double doses of seachem prime with each wc, also adding seachem stability or api stress zyme, and seachem safe guard or api stress coat, to aid in the cycle and help protect the fish and reduce stress.

It's unfortunate that pet stores do this, but you're doing great with learning more, researching, and reaching out for advise. I think most of us have been there at some point.

Welcome to the world fish keeping!
I'm glad you're enjoying taking care of them. This hobby can be very therapeutic and rewarding!

 

Thank you! I will run out first thing tomorrow morning and grab those and will begin a daily water change for awhile. I am excited to be apart of this, and trying to convince my wife down the road on getting a larger tank for our Master Bedroom. My goal right now is to make sure Pinkie, BlueBlue, Tiny, and Blueberry live long and fruitful lives haha.

 

Thank you! I will run out first thing tomorrow morning and grab those and will begin a daily water change for awhile. I am excited to be apart of this, and trying to convince my wife down the road on getting a larger tank for our Master Bedroom. My goal right now is to make sure Pinkie, BlueBlue, Tiny, and Blueberry live long and fruitful lives haha.

The bigger the tank the easier it is as more water gives more stability. Like I said earlier I do twice a week on my smaller tanks and could easily go 6 weeks on the 330g but I actually enjoy the cleaning process I find it therapeutic (currently having chemotherapy so the drugs don’t allow me to sleep on Thursday and Sunday so have plenty of time between kids going to bed and 6am when they wake to fill). Also the bigger the tank the more options you give yourself for types of fish. Also as you go bigger equipment becomes better and more user friendly.

 

Decades ago, my grandfather told me to feed fish minimally and to aerate the tank well. That's pretty much the best advice I've heard in this hobby for various reasons.

My 11-year old daughter runs a 5 gallon tank with guppies and live plants. I'm passing on my grandfather's advice: how little to feed the fish each day, to skip a day of feeding each week, and how to avoid a biofilm developing on the water's surface.

I've complemented my grandfathers advice by instructing her to keep the lights dim at all times and to turn it off when she goes to bed. No 'fun night light' allowed.

Apart from feeding, she conducts a small water change weekly with a large cup (which I complement with a large water change after each season).

The tank looks and smells great.

 

Solid advice, I will trim feedings down to just mornings. I did another 50% water change today as the ammonia is still around 1.75ppm. Also about to run out and grab Fishywoos recommendations. Thanks everyone for all the help.

 

Solid advice, I will trim feedings down to just mornings. I did another 50% water change today as the ammonia is still around 1.75ppm. Also about to run out and grab Fishywoos recommendations. Thanks everyone for all the help.

When did you do the WC? Multiple daily water changes wont harm the fish or cycle, but the ammonia will. Water changes are going to help more than stuff to put in there. IMO the Prime is the only thing you need right now.

 

I just did the water change about 30 minutes ago, and last night around 8:30.

 

I just did the water change about 30 minutes ago, and last night around 8:30.

Ok yeah that is a little soon.

 

Thats good to know I can do multiple though, what are your thoughts on taking the Ammonia levels tomorrow morning, and if its high changing in the morning and then retesting and potentially changing that night?

 

Thats good to know I can do multiple though, what are your thoughts on taking the Ammonia levels tomorrow morning, and if its high changing in the morning and then retesting and potentially changing that night?

That should be fine as said keeping ammonia and nitrites in check is the most important thing for a fish in cycle. It all sounds scary but you can do it and fairly safely for the fish, I have only ever done fish in cycle and rarely have any fish loses but from experience I have stayed very slowly and then built up the stock. When you get bad advice and get too many fish to start things can be difficult.

 

Thats good to know I can do multiple though, what are your thoughts on taking the Ammonia levels tomorrow morning, and if its high changing in the morning and then retesting and potentially changing that night?

If you are able.... yes do it. At least 5g isnt a lot to do.

 

StarGirl or someone.. So I tested my water again and I just feel like I have a constant 1 ppm Ammonia. Today I decided to test my tap water that comes out of my sink, low and behold 1 ppm.

I have no idea what to do to be honest, I was expecting 0 ppm.

Thanks in advance!

 

Well this is a twist for sure. Do you have a place you can get different water from? Once your tank gets cycled it will take care of it like its supposed to. You would actually just have to do smaller changes.

 

StarGirl or someone.. So I tested my water again and I just feel like I have a constant 1 ppm Ammonia. Today I decided to test my tap water that comes out of my sink, low and behold 1 ppm.

I have no idea what to do to be honest, I was expecting 0 ppm.

Thanks in advance!

If you are dechlorinating your tap water with Prime, are you also adding nitrifying bacteria like API Quickstart? It can help cycle your tank and eliminate that extra ammonia. You will need to add it with every new water addition.

If all else fails....Since you have a small tank, try using RO/DI water instead of tap water which seems to be the initial source of your ammonia problem. I have a 10 gal tank and I use distilled water. You can buy it from any grocery store or walmart. ADD SeaChem Equilibrium to add minerals back into the water. I also add API proper pH. Never use straight Di water, always add minerals to it to bring it to a safe GH and KH for the type of fish you are keeping.

On the safe side, try a different ammonia test. Sometimes you can get a bad lot or the colors are hard to match. I usually keep 2 kinds. One is a quick test strip and the other is a titration test kit (more accurate).

I hope this helps!

 

StarGirl or someone.. So I tested my water again and I just feel like I have a constant 1 ppm Ammonia. Today I decided to test my tap water that comes out of my sink, low and behold 1 ppm.

I have no idea what to do to be honest, I was expecting 0 ppm.

Thanks in advance!

Do you have a pH test? If not, can you get one? I do not want to overwhelm you with all the information there is to learn about water chemistry all at once, but it is easy to determine how much dangerous or ‘free’ ammonia is present if you know the pH & temperature of the water and the amount of ammonia a test says is present.

If you can give me that info I may be able to set your mind at ease regarding ammonia at least.

 

1. Daily 30% water change until biological nitrogen cycle starts in your tank.
2. Get some gravel or biological filter media from a friend or hobbyist that they are having in their cycled aquarium asap.
3. Feed them only once a day(4-5 sprinkles) or feed a little less twice(2-3 sprinkes). you can keep some algae or live plants to let the fish eat if they want more food.
4. Clean the leftover food as soon as possible. Use a siphon to clean the food/poop at the bottom after each feeding(that's why I said feed only once). This will also be taking out your water so you can conveniently do the 30% water change by replacing the water with fresh water.
5. Don't forget about dechlorinating and conditioning. Leave the water in open container overnight for dechlorination, make sure to keep it in a warm place.
6. Try to replace the fish and get a single betta fish, they are great pets and will be a little better for the aquarium than 4 tetras. Even though no fish should be kept in that, to be honest. Bettas are also beautiful and interactive so your kids will like it.
7. Get a larger tank (you can even make it yourself with some materials, it will be cheaper and can also give you a flexible size choice as per the space you have. Generally, there will always be some hobbyist nearby who can sell you his old aquarium or make you a new one for a very small fee.)
8. Never visit a pet supermart again. Pets are not commodities.