Anxious and Discouraged

[Bettaholic]

Hi all- Not sure if this is a question or a rant. I started my 36 gallon tank about 6 weeks ago and believed I had gone through the cycle process. I had the bacterial bloom, the water got clear and I daily checked the water where my ph was 7 and ammonia/ nitrite levels were 0. I added my betta and 4 tiny corys after a week levels still the same. I ordered fish online because lfs never have the rasboras I wanted. I got 6 brilliant rasboras which I had for a week and then got 10 lambchop rasboras and 6 blue neon Rasboras all of these are tiny. Tested my water and .25 ammonia. Started treating the water with prime and 5 gallon water changes treated and 0 ammonia before adding. I lost one tiny lambchop right away. I changed my filter rinsed with aquarium water. Now my ammonia is at .50 and I can't reduce it. I'm afraid to do a bigger water change because the ammonia has gone up since I started. I now have one rasbora struggling to live ( I added stress coat and was told to add salt which I will today) I counted the brilliants and one is MIA, no body. My beautiful centerpiece betta that I have provided a hammock leaf and floating log hides in the bottom silk plants that I bought for the tiny rasboras to hide in. I feel like a failure. What am I doing wrong? I can't keep throwing chemicals in the water. When does the fun relaxing part that I originally got the tank for begin? If you made it to the bottom, thanks for listening.

 

[BigManAquatics]

You said you changed the filter?

 

[Bettaholic]

Yes when I saw the ammonia at .25 I looked at my filter and it was dirty ( I thought) so I placed a new one in that I rinsed with aquarium water from the tank even though it had some ammonia in it.

 

[Magua]

Oh man... I wish I had sage advice but all I can offer is support. I hope the brilliant folks here can offer some solutions.
Best of luck!!

 

[Bettaholic]

Oh man... I wish I had sage advice but all I can offer is support. I hope the brilliant folks here can offer some solutions.
Best of luck!!

I'll take the support thank you. Looking forward to your next betta rescue update.

 

[fallfever]

I can't quite tell when you added the fish and how close the timeline is, but it is quite possible your beneficial bacteria was not quite ready for the bioload. Water changes are still your best bet, along with adding prime to neutralize the ammonia and reduce the impact on your fish. I would do the water change and prime until your parameters get back to normal every 48 hours or so. SafeStart wouldn't hurt as some here have had success with it.

And BA will probably reinforce this, but a dirty filter is usually a good filter. Just rinse it in tank water and nothing more. I don't use cartridges any more, but when I did I didn't change it until it was literally falling apart.

 

[Ouse]

Doing big water changes will help remove ammonia by replacing sections of water containing ammonia with fresh clean water.

I think ammonia has spiked because you added lots of fish straight away and the beneficial bacteria colony isn’t large enough to cycle all of the ammonia the new fish are producing yet. Eventually the colony will grow to a large enough size to deal with it and water changes will speed up this process. Try to aim for a 50% water change whenever ammonia and nitrite combine to reach 1ppm.

 

[BigManAquatics]

Changing the filter pad is probably the cause. You should have rinsed the old one in tank water and put it back. Thats where most of your bacteria is, tank probably hasn't been running long enough to have a bunch in the substrates or sides of the aquarium. So basically, your cycle has probably started all over again. A rather common mistake...most of us have been there.

 

[Bettaholic]

I was afraid that I added too many fish even though my water perimeters were good. I ordered 2 types to save shipping fees and now I am paying the price for it, I think. Lesson learned but I hate that my fish are paying the price for my foolishness.

 

[mattgirl]

Unfortunately you threw away a great deal of the bacteria you worked so hard to grow when you replaced your cartridge. It is critical not to disturb the bacteria in a newly cycled tank. One can show to be cycled but it takes time for it to get firmly established. You also added more fish thus more ammonia is being produced. You are now going through a mini-cycle as the bacteria tries to catch up with all the ammonia being produced.

Water changes and Prime should protect your fish while the bacteria catches back up. Try to keep the ammonia down to no more than .25 with water changes.

 

[Ouse]

I was afraid that I added too many fish even though my water perimeters were good. I ordered 2 types to save shipping fees and now I am paying the price for it, I think. Lesson learned but I hate that my fish are paying the price for my foolishness.

Don’t shame yourself for it! Impulse buying and overstocking are commonplace and I wouldn’t scold people for doing it...

Most of my tanks are what would be considered to be overstocked but there are many ways to combat this. Your tank is overstocked in terms of bioload but the colonies of nitrosomonas and nitrospira will catch up with the bioload eventually. This mini cycle has happened to me before and it didn’t take long to finish because I intervened with water changes.

 

[Bettaholic]

I'll do another water change tomorrow. I guess I can double dose the prime in the new water and aquarium water? I wish I had a stronger relationship with the designated fish store here to get some beneficial bacteria to add to my tank.

Don’t shame yourself for it! Impulse buying and overstocking are commonplace and I wouldn’t scold people for doing it...

Most of my tanks are what would be considered to be overstocked but there are many ways to combat this. Your tank is overstocked in terms of bioload but the colonies of nitrosomonas and nitrospira will catch up with the bioload eventually. This mini cycle has happened to me before and it didn’t take long to finish because I intervened with water changes.

Thanks, StinkyLoaf...I appreciate it.

 

[BigManAquatics]

I'll do another water change tomorrow. I guess I can double dose the prime in the new water and aquarium water? I wish I had a stronger relationship with the designated fish store here to get some beneficial bacteria to add to my tank.

That would help. Don't worry, it will become a more relaxing hobby before too long, just seems forever whe. In the thick of things after a hiccup!

 

[member133559]

I stuffed my HOB with old sponges from the first setup and added ceramic rings for the day I need to replace a sponge. Do you have a substrate? Any live plants in addition to the silk ones? All this will help with the toxic substances mid- and longterm. For now, water changes and bottles with good bacteria.

 

[AIvinn]

Also you shouldn't beat yourself up. I know what it feels like to hit rock bottom, even outside of this hobby. You just have to learn from your mistakes and move on!! You're human after all.

 

[Bettaholic]

I stuffed my HOB with old sponges from the first setup and added ceramic rings for the day I need to replace a sponge. Do you have a substrate? Any live plants in addition to the silk ones? All this will help with the toxic substances mid- and longterm. For now, water changes and bottles with good bacteria.

I gave gravel after which I wished I had gotten sand but at least I was smart enough not to change it out. I don't have any live plants because I was worried about taking care of the fish since I'm so new. I thought once I had my fish and that was working OK that I would start replacing the silk with some live plants. Honestly I was supposed to get a 10 gallon for a betta. The 36 gallon was on sale and my husband asked if I would rather have that one so of course I said yes.

 

[member133559]

In the long term the bigger tank will be less prone to mistakes due to the bigger water volume, more substrate, bigger filter, etc. But it wouldn't hurt to get some "easy" plants today helping you with the ammonia.

 

[fallfever]

The only difference between your mistake and one a seasoned fishkeeper makes is that you have a better excuse Now you have a story just like the rest of us. This is very manageable and a few water changes will do your tank well.
I am not a planted tank guy, yet I successfully keep at least some plants in every tank I own for the reasons mentioned above. I do it the lazy way. I buy rocks or driftwood with anubias or swords attached and I drop hornwort in and let it float around and magically grow. If I can't kill them, nobody can.

 

[mattgirl]

We have all been where you are right now at one point in this hobby. We have all made mistakes but we learn from them. I have been in this hobby for a very long time and I am still learning.

Keep in mind. It isn't unusual to lose some fish when we first introduce them to our tanks. These little creatures have gone through a lot getting to us. Some are not as strong as others and it is just too much for them. We can do everything just right and still some don't make it. That is the heartbreaking part of this hobby.

 

[BigManAquatics]

We have all been where you are right now at one point in this hobby. We have all made mistakes but we learn from them. I have been in this hobby for a very long time and I am still learning.

Keep in mind. It isn't unusual to lose some fish when we first introduce them to our tanks. These little creatures have gone through a lot getting to us. Some are not as strong as others and it is just too much for them. We can do everything just right and still some don't make it. That is the heartbreaking part of this hobby.

Makes a person enjoy the successes that much more!

 

[Bettaholic]

So I have set aside my treated aquarium water for tomorrow, went to the petco and petsmart where I bought 2 medium amazon swordplants and an anachris? from a tank with fish in it for more bacteria? Anyway I swear while I am getting my plant I see a teen walking by with a 2 gallon betta tank under his arm. I asked him if he had a betta and his eyes light up and said yeah. I said please don't leave him in that tank. He needs a 10 gallon to be happy. If you don't get it now get it soon. The worker helping me admitted he knows nothing about fish and when he handed me my bag I look up and the kid and his mom are now pointing fish out in the glo fish tank. I told the guy please don't let them get those fish in that tank too. So maybe I redeemed myself for my stupidity in some small way, I hope? Anyway, I am planting my plants changing my water and I hope I can give you guys good news later. Thanks for all your help, Really. You guys are the best.

 

[Patman0519]

Yes when I saw the ammonia at .25 I looked at my filter and it was dirty ( I thought) so I placed a new one in that I rinsed with aquarium water from the tank even though it had some ammonia in it.

NEVER NEVER change the filter...that is where beneficial bacteria live...you threw your cycle away and crashed the tank...get rid of the dumb cartridge filter, get fluval foam and bio max ceramic rings. Put those in your filter and leave it alone!

 

[mattgirl]

So I have set aside my treated aquarium water for tomorrow,

Is there a specific reason you are treating the water the day before water change day? Maybe you don't realize it isn't necessary. Fortunately water conditioners remove chlorine or chloramines almost instantly so there is no need let it age.

I am so glad you said something about the tiny tank. It may not have helped in this case but maybe it planted a seed and will prompt them to start doing some research.

 

[Bettaholic]

I am leaving it out to get room temperature

Is there a specific reason you are treating the water the day before water change day? Maybe you don't realize it isn't necessary. Fortunately water conditioners remove chlorine or chloramines almost instantly so there is no need let it age.

I am so glad you said something about the tiny tank. It may not have helped in this case but maybe it planted a seed and will prompt them to start doing some research.

I am leaving it out to get room temperature? I did not have an extra thermometer but I do now. I bought a five gallon bucket with lid to use for my water changes. The water felt cold and I was afraid with all the other issues of getting ich. I know I am new but I've seen those poor fish looking as if they were salted for use as a snack!

NEVER NEVER change the filter...that is where beneficial bacteria live...you threw your cycle away and crashed the tank...get rid of the dumb cartridge filter, get fluval foam and bio max ceramic rings. Put those in your filter and leave it alone!

I won't do again. Lesson learned

 

[fallfever]

FYI only, I use an inexpensive meat thermometer used for grills to take the water temperature. Works fabulously. And look into a python or something similar. No more buckets! I actually enjoy water changes now. My fish, not so much.

 

[mattgirl]

I am leaving it out to get room temperature

I am leaving it out to get room temperature? I did not have an extra thermometer but I do now. I bought a five gallon bucket with lid to use for my water changes. The water felt cold and I was afraid with all the other issues of getting ich. I know I am new but I've seen those poor fish looking as if they were salted for use as a snack!

Gotcha. I temp match my water in the buckets (yep, I still use buckets too) by running both hot and cold water to get it to the right temp. By doing so it is immediately ready for the tank.

 

[Patman0519]

I am leaving it out to get room temperature

I am leaving it out to get room temperature? I did not have an extra thermometer but I do now. I bought a five gallon bucket with lid to use for my water changes. The water felt cold and I was afraid with all the other issues of getting ich. I know I am new but I've seen those poor fish looking as if they were salted for use as a snack!

I won't do again. Lesson learned

We have all been there.....I was victim to the chain store way of replacing the filter and lost countless fish...euthanized 3 myslef(sharp knife head off quick) at least you have not had that pleasure of yet.
It is part of the learning curve unfortunately.

 

[Sez]

Hi all- Not sure if this is a question or a rant. I started my 36 gallon tank about 6 weeks ago and believed I had gone through the cycle process. I had the bacterial bloom, the water got clear and I daily checked the water where my ph was 7 and ammonia/ nitrite levels were 0. I added my betta and 4 tiny corys after a week levels still the same. I ordered fish online because lfs never have the rasboras I wanted. I got 6 brilliant rasboras which I had for a week and then got 10 lambchop rasboras and 6 blue neon Rasboras all of these are tiny. Tested my water and .25 ammonia. Started treating the water with prime and 5 gallon water changes treated and 0 ammonia before adding. I lost one tiny lambchop right away. I changed my filter rinsed with aquarium water. Now my ammonia is at .50 and I can't reduce it. I'm afraid to do a bigger water change because the ammonia has gone up since I started. I now have one rasbora struggling to live ( I added stress coat and was told to add salt which I will today) I counted the brilliants and one is MIA, no body. My beautiful centerpiece betta that I have provided a hammock leaf and floating log hides in the bottom silk plants that I bought for the tiny rasboras to hide in. I feel like a failure. What am I doing wrong? I can't keep throwing chemicals in the water. When does the fun relaxing part that I originally got the tank for begin? If you made it to the bottom, thanks for listening.

Awwww don't be so hard on yourself I have a planted tank,frogbit and redroot floaters are very exceptional to remove all nitrates etc ,fast growing stem plants like hornwort also.your problem will be sorted soon .use root tabs for amazon swords,they are quite greedy,good luck and cut yourself some slack