Is my water ok for a new guppy?

Hi!

I have a 1.5 gal tank with one fancy male guppy (I had two but the other died recently of dropsy). I’d like to get another one today or ASAP so he can have a new buddy.

The tank has been set up over six months, but because of the small size of the tank, I have trouble regulating the chemical levels and getting them cycling normally. I have a filter, bubbler, LED head light, and will be getting a heater soon. So far, my guppy has been acclimated to the room temp which is about 72 deg. I siphon the gravel and change the water at the same time, once a week. I never change more than 25% of the water. I change the filter cartridge about every 4 weeks (I don’t know if that time frame is too frequent or too long!)

I use TopFin water conditioner and bacteria supplement, API stress coat +, Kordon fish protector, and Seachem prime. I will also be using VitaChem soon. For the last week I used API BettaFix for my guppy’s fins, but I’ve stopped it and done a water change since then.

Over the last week, the water has had a whitish cloudiness and is still cloudy since I changed the water yesterday. I tested the water today with Tetra Easy Strips and API liquid ammonia test kit. Here are the results:
Nitrates are between 40 and 80 ppm (closer to 40). Nitrites are between 1.0 and 3.0ppm. Hardness is soft or 75ppm. Chlorine is 0ppm. Alkalinity is low or 0ppm. pH is acidic or about 6.2ppm. Ammonia is 0ppm.

Do you think it’s safe to get a new guppy today? If not, how long should I wait before I can try again? Are the nitrate and nitrite levels too high or the pH levels too low? Does the cloudiness make a difference? Is there something else I should be concerned about? How closely do the water tests from the store that I get the fish need to match my water test readings? PLEASE HELP! THANKS!

 

Use the same filter cartridge until it falls apart to help keep a good colony of bacteria thriving. Instead of changing the the cartridge, rinse it in used tank water every 2 weeks.

The Top Fin bacteria supplement won't do much for your tank. It doesn't contain the type of bacteria necessary for the nitrogen cycle.

In this case, your tank is cloudy because it's trying to re-equalize itself. Your nitrites are too high to add another fish. Nitrites should be at 0 in order to safely add new fish. Which test kit is registering the nitrite level at 1.0-3.0 ppm? I would do a 25-50% water change and dose the tank with prime to help lower your nitrite levels.

Also, you'll want to slowly bring up your pH. Adding a cuttle bone to your filter or a sea shell to the tank should help with this.

Honestly, I wouldn't recommend adding another fish. When your parameters are in check you may be able to add some ghost shrimp or snails.

Lets see what others have to say

 

Thanks James95. That all makes sense, I'm just a little impatient to get this new fish!! I already picked one out too. He's a beautie. Guess I have to wait...sigh. Until then-talk to you soon.

 

You're welcome.
I know firsthand what it's like when you a want new fish. Keep us posted

 

1 1/2 gallons is too small for a guppy. Too small for anything other than a shrimp and snail tank, actually. A 5 gallon is the smallest I'd go for 2 male guppies.

As James said, stop using the TopFin stuff, and start doing daily water changes.

Ammonia and Nitrites should be 0, and Nitrate under 40.

Welcome to fishlore

 

Thanks, but what do you mean by daily water changes? Like just do that until the chemicals are balanced or all the time? And what percentage do you suggest? 10%? 25%? More?

 

Should I get a new brand of bacteria supplement or stop using that altogether and just rely on the water changes to help with that?

 

Should I get a new brand of bacteria supplement or stop using that altogether and just rely on the water changes to help with that?

Water changes and the 100% au naturel nitrogen cycle

 

Thanks, but what do you mean by daily water changes? Like just do that until the chemicals are balanced or all the time? And what percentage do you suggest? 10%? 25%? More?

Change out about 50% of the water every day until the ammonia, etc, are in the proper ranges (that I listed above), and stay there for a week or so, and then move to once a week, or more if you need to.

Only add water conditioner, no bacteria supplements. You don't need to add the Stress Coat and Fish Protector, either, on top of a water conditioner, unless your fish has a wound that needs to be healed, or you want to only use the Stress Coat as your main water conditioner.

 

Ok thanks all. I was wondering if I was overdosing them with different types of dechlorinators. I guess it doesn't hurt them, but maybe it's unneccessary? Don't they need that stress coat, or slime coat, replenished as a protective layer all the time? That's why I put it in there in addition to the TopFin water conditioner.

 

Ok thanks all. I was wondering if I was overdosing them with different types of dechlorinators. I guess it doesn't hurt them, but maybe it's unneccessary? Don't they need that stress coat, or slime coat, replenished as a protective layer all the time? That's why I put it in there in addition to the TopFin water conditioner.

You're not overdosing, just paying the pet stores bills Doesn't hurt, but you certainly don't need to do all that. Fish naturally replenish their slime coats, so they don't need anything that replenishes it unless they are hurt.

Stress Coat can be used alone as a water conditioner, if you want.

 

Well, I already bought the stuff. Might as well keep using them! (But I won't buy any more). Thanks ^_^

 

None of it goes bad (except the bacteria, but that stuffs poop anyway ), so keep it handy until you need it. Male guppies are masters of beating each other up or finding things to catch their fins on. You'll need a healing aide at at some point lol

 

Yeah that's for sure. My guppy split his tail on a plant once. But it didn't slow him down and he doesn't seem to notice! ha ha

 

Yeah that's for sure. My guppy split his tail on a plant once. But it didn't slow him down and he doesn't seem to notice! ha ha

Yup, they're tough little fish

 

My new heater came today yay! It's working fine so far. But how high should I let it go? He's used to 72 deg. Is 78 ok? Or should I let it go higher like to 82? (and not all at once of course!!)

I also put some cuttlebone in the filter like you suggested James95. Hopefully that will boost the pH. Still need more time to see...

 

78 degrees is the perfect temperature for guppies. 82 degrees also works well but is on the higher side. Time will tell if the cuttlebone has helped.

So which brand heater did you go with?

 

A 25w submersible Elite. It's not what I wanted but it's the best I could find that was small enough. I can manually adjust the temp, but not to the exact degree I want. I hope it works out!

 

Elites are decent heaters. Here's how to set a heater without an exact temperature dial:

1.)Fill your aquarium with water of the desired temperature
2.)Install the heater. Let it sit in the tank for 20 minutes unplugged. Make sure the dial is turned all the way down.
3.)Plug the heater in and slowly turn the knob until the indicator light turns on.

This is the best way to calibrate a heater without a temperature dial. Much easier than fiddling with the heater until it reaches the desired temp.

 

sounds dandy x

 

Hello all,

I've been changing my water every day for a nearly a week and the levels are getting better- nitrites and such. But I can't get my pH or alkalinity to budge. Can anyone recommend a quick remedy to spike the pH up? It's too low now-around 6.2 and I'd like to rapidly increase it so I can get a new guppy!!

I put some cuttlebone in the filter a few days ago, but I can't see that it's improved anything after two tests-YET. If I can quickly get this pH up, does anyone have a suggestion to how I can keep the pH up long-term? What can I add to my tank? (Please see the first post of this thread for more detail about my tank) Thanks!!

 

You don't want to raise the pH more than 0.4 per day, otherwise you could shock your new fish. I'm not sure what else to recommend, maybe someone else can chime in

 

usually the nitrogen cycle will replenish the alkalinity in the water on its own. Whats the pH of your tap water? or the source water for your tank?

 

I just use tap water and then treat it a day before it enters the tank. I assume its pH is also 6.2, because nothing I do to the tank seems to raise it at all, before or after water changes. And I don't think there's any danger of shocking the fish since it hasn't been moving.

 

do me a favor, check the water, there can be many reasons for your tank parameters but before we start digging too far id like to rule out the easiest one.

 

I tested it today. Everything is solid except the nitrites which are too high-between .5 and 1.0 ppm and the alkalnity and pH which are too low- 0ppm and 6.2 pH. The water is and has had a whitish cloudiness for over a week now too. The nitrogen cycle is trying to fix itself but the going is slow since it's such a small tank!

 

I meant the tap water, I read the tank parameters and I do think your just a little hung up in the cycle. I have a couple ideas but I don't want to go too crazy with such a small tank without knowing what your putting in for fresh water.

 

My tap water is 5.8. So it does go up to 6.2 somewhere with my treatments and the cycling in the tank, but obviously, it's still too acidic-even for guppies.

 

I normally don't recommend this, but since your tank is so small and pH so low you could start using bottled spring water that you buy by the gallon. If you go this route, you'll need add a product that replaces trace elements. Seachem makes a good trace element product:



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That looks good. Also, when I was checking that out I found Seachem Neutral Regulator. It says it adjusts pH to neutral (7.0) from either a high or low pH. Have you tried that before with success? If that worked maybe I wouldn't need to go the bottled water route.?

 

If your water is already acidic & possible lacking in buffers the addition of fish & the nitrogen cycle are only going to lower it even further. Normal decomposition of waste & fish respiration will use up what alkalinity is in your water tending to make it more acidic. The cuttlebone will help a little but they dissolve very slowly. You need something to buffer your water & help keep the kH & pH stable.

The Freshwater Trace product that James recommended would probably help quite a bit as it's just calcium & other minerals & salts in small amounts. This would be ideal for such a small system as the one you have.

Temporarily you could add a pinch or two of ordinary baking soda & a tiny pinch of Epsom salt. Mix it thoroughly in a little water & then add to the tank. Good luck!

 

Since your tank is such an extreme case, yes, the pH neutral regulator would work instead of using bottled water, but you will need to test your pH religiously. Seachem is a trustworthy company so neutral regulator is probably a stable product.


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Alrighty then thanks a lot. I'll try something out soon then and let you know how it goes! Whew!

 

You're welcome.
The reason you're having issues with the cycle is most likely due to the pH being so low. The beneficial bacteria don't survive or function as well in acidic water. As you gradually bring the pH up, your tank's cycle should be much stabler.

 

Another question: (aren't you sick of my questions! ) Would aquarium salt or the seachem neutral regulator be better for long-term balancing my pH? Is the aquarium salt only good for general, overall health of the fish and not pH specifically?

 

Another question: (aren't you sick of my questions! ) Would aquarium salt or the seachem neutral regulator be better for long-term balancing my pH? Is the aquarium salt only good for general, overall health of the fish and not pH specifically?

I would recommend just the neutral regulator. Salt won't affect the pH & I don't think you even need it unless you're maintaining a brackish tank or treating some kind of illness. I never use it myself.

 

That makes sense. I thought I'd check with someone else because Petsmart swears by the aquarium salt for all the time use. It's sounds nice...but not essential.

 

They're after every cent in your wallet. It's the same reason why they recommend changing the filter cartridge so often

 

Looks like your receiving lots of help... Crushed oyster or clam shells boosts pH for long term... Add a little at a time in a mesh bag in your filter until you reach the amount you would like to maintain... I think James said you can add a seashell to the tank for decor this could help too... I think your best bet is treating tap water before it is put into the tank or buying a gallon jug and adding some conditioner then pouring it in... Goodluck hope your pH stabalizes soon and you can get your other guppy

 

Today's the day! I'm getting my new guppy! Nitrites are a solid 0 and nitrates are safely low. It's looking pretty good!