5 Gallon Tank Mistakes & Sadness Abound: Please Help?

[RingoVarr]

Hi all,

I'm very, very new to fishkeeping, so please be gentle, I'm well aware of my ignorance. A few months back, at a Petco I saw Glofish, and was very interested in them, so my lovely girlfriend got me a 5 gallon Glofish branded tank/kit (more on that later) for Christmas. We set the tank up, conditioned the water, put two decorations in, and let it sit for 24 hours. Yesterday, we tested the water with strips, and when it checked out, we bought two Glofish Tetras, let them float in the tank for 20 minutes as instructed by Petco, and then released them. They seemed fine after a while, swimming around and exploring. At that point I decided I'd read up on fishkeeping, so I could do my best for the little guys. That's when I learned about the nitrogen cycle, and how important it is for keeping fish, I knew we had made a grave mistake. Fast forward to this morning, and one of our Tetras has passed in her sleep. Our second Tetra is alive and seems ok for now, but I know he's on borrowed time. My girlfriend and I both feel terrible, and refuse to buy more fish until we know what we're doing, so here I am.

Here are my questions, in no particular order:
1. My research tells me 5 gallons can only handle 2 Glofish Tetras, and that Tetras are schooling fish and should be kept in groups of 5 or more (Glofish marketing is soulless, apparently), what fish, if any, can I humanely keep in my 5 gallon tank? Space is at a premium so a larger tank just isn't in the cards.
2. Is there anything I can do to save my surviving Tetra? Or is he a lost cause? If he isn't, what are my first steps?
3. What are my steps to get my tank cycled and ready to take on fish?

Thanks for reading this, and thank you in advance for your help. I'm so very sad, and feel terrible for killing my fish, but I don't want to give up.

 

[jkkgron2]

1. You could consider a betta, they’re very hardy and come in a variety of colors

2 and 3. I would do daily 25% water changes, as that’ll keep the ammonia and nitrites down and prevent any toxic parameters that could harm your tetra. However, I would consider rehoming the tetra, as bettas aren’t compatible with tetras and the tetra needs to be in a larger school.

 

[FishGirl115]

Don't be too hard on yourself. You're on the right track. If possible, return the tetra. Then cycle the tank and you can consider other fish. You could keep a betta or a few guppies of a single gender.

 

[Jacklynn]

Welcome to Fish Lore! At least you did some more research and you are now on the right path to setting the tank up properly. This forum is full of invaluable information and knowledge!

I agree with what was said above, a betta would work well.

 

[mattgirl]

Welcome to Fishlore

Please don't beat yourself up too badly. We were all where you are now when we first got into this hobby. You are fortunate that you have the internet. When I started the internet wasn't even a thing.

What you are doing right now is a fish in cycle. This thread is a little something I wrote up for folks just like yourself that got bad info from folks that should know better. If after you have read it if you have more questions Please ask them and I will be happy to try to help you.

 

[RingoVarr]

Thanks for the tips. It sounds like a Betta is the best choice once I have the tank ready.
A few more questions:
1. We put a heater in for the Tetras, would this be an issue for a Betta?
2. Would it be easier to cycle the tank without a fish? Since I'm probably going to rehome my surviving Tetra so that he can be in a school, what are the steps to cycle a tank without fish?
3. I've just ordered an API Master Freshwater Test Kit, is there anything else I'll need?

 

[Jayce0]

Do you have any live plants in there? They will surely help keep the water condition good! Like others have said, I wouldn't try to keep the tetra and return him. You're right on the fact that they like having too many friends (and too much space to swim around) for a 5 gallon, a betta would be great. I've have nice experience with the product Quick Start, so possibly you should use that and wait a bit.

 

[kansas]

I set up my first tank a year ago. I put a lot of live plants in them and waited 2 months before adding a betta, and my water, according to my API test kit, is always good.

A friend who knows what they are doing helped me pick plants and fertilizers. I got a plakat male betta and things have gone really well for me.

This was a lot easier than dosing with ammonia or figuring out how to use rotting shrimp.

 

[Jayce0]

Thanks for the tips. It sounds like a Betta is the best choice once I have the tank ready.
A few more questions:
1. We put a heater in for the Tetras, would this be an issue for a Betta?
2. Would it be easier to cycle the tank without a fish? Since I'm probably going to rehome my surviving Tetra so that he can be in a school, what are the steps to cycle a tank without fish?
3. I've just ordered an API Master Freshwater Test Kit, is there anything else I'll need?

If the tank temp is around 78 degrees, then yes, a heater would be just fine (they don't like cold, so it's generally needed!). Cycling a tank with a fish can be dangerous as ammonia spikes will occur, which can hurt the fish. I'm not too sure about putting in some ammonia for 5 gallon, but you could possibly ask Petco for a sample of dead plant matter (or even a dead shrimp) in order to start up the cycling process. I'd wait a week, and keep on checking the readings for it. Wait for the spike, and then wait for your readings (nitrite, nitrate, ammonia..) to be about zero. I'd do a water change after that before adding your fish.

Be careful about changing your filter media as it will hold a lot of the beneficial bacteria you need! Again, QuickStart will help.

 

[Dennis57]

Hi, and Welcome to Fishlore.

First and foremost, do not listen to most sales people at the pet stores.
They are there to make a sale not for you or I to walk out empty handed.

Yes I agree, return the Glofish, and your best bet with a 5 gallon would be a Betta Fish and 2 nerite snails.

Yes you should put a heater in for the Betta fish.
You should also consider 2 or 3 live plants for the tank.

 

[kansas]

As you can see, there are many opinions about what you should do to get your tank ready.

Some advice online is really good and some is not so good. It can be hard to know when you're starting out. Good luck.

 

[Jayce0]

Hi, and Welcome to Fishlore.

First and foremost, do not listen to most sales people at the pet stores.
They are there to make a sale not for you or I to walk out empty handed.

Yes I agree, return the Glofish, and your best bet with a 5 gallon would be a Betta Fish and 2 nerite snails.

Yes you should put a heater in for the Betta fish.
You should also consider 2 or 3 live plants for the tank.

I'd personally hold off on nerite snails until algae is noticeable, they tend to starve in new tanks (they tend to be rather picky about the food they eat, not many people have great luck with algae wafers). And possibly only one..? They eat a lot rather quickly, so there may not be enough food for the both of them, and also considering how much they poo..

 

[RingoVarr]

So I've called Petco, and they'll refund me for the two Tetras. I'll attempt a fish-less cycle.

Just for my sake, help me draft my plan.

1. Return the Tetras
2. Either add some ammonia or dead plant matter to the tank (??)
3. Wait a week or more, and then start testing the water with the API Master Kit
4. Watch for the spikes, wait until they subside and levels go to zero
5. Add a Betta to the tank
6. Maybe add a snail later

That sound like a good start?

 

[mattgirl]

I know some folks frown upon fish in cycling but if we are willing to do the necessary water changes they can be done without harming our water pet. When it comes to having one fish in a tank, cycling it is more for us than it is for them. We don't have to do a water change as often in a fully cycled tank.

Once you get your test kit you can keep an eye on the ammonia level and can keep it down to negligible levels with water changes. You can of course do a fishless cycle but in my humble opinion you will get a more stable cycle by adding your fish and allowing him/her to feed the bacteria you will be growing.

As long as you keep the ammonia down (one little guy isn't going to produce a great deal of it) with water changes your water pet will never be in any kind of danger.

Before you make your decision, run all the test that come in the kit on your source water. Those tests will tell us whether or not your tap water will cause problems. We would like to see zero's in all the tests and would like to see a pH of no less than 7.

We will do our best to help you whichever way you choose.

 

[RingoVarr]

I know some folks frown upon fish in cycling but if we are willing to do the necessary water changes they can be done without harming our water pet. When it comes to having one fish in a tank, cycling it is more for us than it is for them. We don't have to do a water change as often in a fully cycled tank.

Once you get your test kit you can keep an eye on the ammonia level and can keep it down to negligible levels with water changes. You can of course do a fishless cycle but in my humble opinion you will get a more stable cycle by adding your fish and allowing him/her to feed the bacteria you will be growing.

As long as you keep the ammonia down (one little guy isn't going to produce a great deal of it) with water changes your water pet will never be in any kind of danger.

Before you make your decision, run all the test that come in the kit on your source water. Those tests will tell us whether or not your tap water will cause problems. We would like to see zero's in all the tests and would like to see a pH of no less than 7.

We will do our best to help you whichever way you choose.

So is your recommendation to get a Betta once I get my test kit, and then fish in cycle by frequent water changes?

 

[mattgirl]

So is your recommendation to get a Betta once I get my test kit, and then fish in cycle by frequent water changes?

T
That is what I would do but keep in mind I have been doing this for a very long time. I feel sure, although you are new to the hobby, you can do it too. Coming here shows us you want to do things right. Agreeing to get the test kit right away tells us you are willing to do whatever it takes to provide a healthy home for your water pet.

Once you get your test kit and run the tests we will be able to walk you through each step it takes to provide your little guy a safe home. Should you decide you are going to do a fish in cycle I will recommend you get a bottle of Seachem Prime. It is first and foremost a water conditioner but goes one step farther and detoxes low levels of ammonia.

 

[RingoVarr]

Quick update, the surviving Tetra made it through the day and we were able to return him after work yesterday evening. He seemed responsive as he was carried off to the tank, so I'm thinking he'll make it. Very glad for that.

My test kit and some pure ammonia is en route as I write this. My girlfriend and I discussed it and we've decided a fishless cycle is the path we're most comfortable with. Once the kit arrives I will test my tank's water and will post the results here and we can get started!

I want to thank everybody for being so kind and supportive. I feel far more confident I'll have a healthy setup in the end now that I'm on the forum.

 

[mattgirl]

I am very happy to hear that the little guy made it.

Now that you have decided which route to take we will help you as much as we can to get this tank cycled and ready for your future water pet.

Since you have chosen to do a fish-less cycle if you have an extra few minutes you may want to read This Thread. I think it will help you grow a stronger, more natural cycle.

Since this tank is being cycled for a single Betta there is no need to ever add enough get the ammonia level above 1/1.5 ppm. That amount will grow plenty of bacteria to handle the bio-load of your one little guy. Any more ammonia than that will just cause the numbers (nitrites nitrates) to spike higher than needed while cycling. It won't hurt if they do but it isn't necessary. It just takes longer for ammonia and nitrites to zero out.

Once you get the test kit be sure to test both tap and tank water. It is always good to have a base line number on the water we are using in our tanks.