New Tank/Fish Dying quickly.

Ten days ago, I set up a new 20-gallon glass tank with 150 Bio-Wheel filter. I rinsed everything in fresh water (no soaps), and filled it. I used the proper dose of chlorine/chloramine treatment, and a while later also added the 'cycling dose' of Bio-Spira bacteria. I let the filter run for two days, and temp. stayed steady at 78 degrees. I added four Glofish tetras, and they lived only about two hours. Most of that time they spent at the surface, sucking air.

The next day I had my water tested by PetSmart, who told me that the pH, chlorine, hardness, nitrate, and nitrite levels were all just fine. They recommended I try again with three small river minnows. I did, and experienced the same result: Stayed at the surface; dead within a few hours. The next day my water got a bit cloudy/white, so I waited a week and did a 25% water change with chlorine-treated water. The tank cleared nicely during that time.

I tested the water again, this time with my own strips, and the levels of all things mentioned above looked clearly in a 'safe' range. I added three more river minnows yesterday, and while they lived slightly longer (six hours), the same thing happened. Mostly spent time at the surface, then died.

Could really use some help. Until a year ago, I had one goldfish in a 3-gallon tank that was healthy for years, and never had any issues at all. The bigger tank is baffling me.

 

I would never believe what the testing at the fish store says. get your own liquid test kit (I use API master kits only). test the water. a couple days is not long enough to cycle your tank at all.

 

Your not cycled. Also test strips are rubbish, get yourself a liquid test kit then come back to us with your readings. Also put a bubbler in there, it sounds like you have limited oxygen in the water.

Doing 25% PWC isn't doing anything, do 50% PWC, unless you're doing 25% every other day it's not going to make a bit of difference in the long run.

Don't add any more fish until we can sort this, it's a waste of life.

Also, your goldfish wasn't healthy in a 3G tank. Goldfish don't belong in tanks as they grow to a foot long and live 25-30 years in outside ponds. Yours had stunted growth and was in constant pain. Please take this information and don't put a goldfish in a tank again.

Fancy goldfish grow to be 20 inches+. They can be kept in tanks but only tanks of 100-120 gallons with a good two filters and very frequent PWC of 50% twice a week (messy fish).

Don't be discouraged though, people here are highly experienced fish keepers and breeders and I'm sure we'll be able to find out what the problem is.

 

Maybe not enough O2? It sounds like you've got the right size filter for that tank so I'm not sure why but if the fish are all hanging out at the surface that's definitely an indication that something's up with the oxygen level in the tank. Cloudy water could've been a bacterial bloom- just part of your tank cycling (mine did the same thing when I did a fishless cycle).

 

Ten days ago, I set up a new 20-gallon glass tank with 150 Bio-Wheel filter. I rinsed everything in fresh water (no soaps), and filled it. I used the proper dose of chlorine/chloramine treatment, and a while later also added the 'cycling dose' of Bio-Spira bacteria. I let the filter run for two days, and temp. stayed steady at 78 degrees. I added four Glofish tetras, and they lived only about two hours. Most of that time they spent at the surface, sucking air.

The next day I had my water tested by PetSmart, who told me that the pH, chlorine, hardness, nitrate, and nitrite levels were all just fine. They recommended I try again with three small river minnows. I did, and experienced the same result: Stayed at the surface; dead within a few hours. The next day my water got a bit cloudy/white, so I waited a week and did a 25% water change with chlorine-treated water. The tank cleared nicely during that time.

I tested the water again, this time with my own strips, and the levels of all things mentioned above looked clearly in a 'safe' range. I added three more river minnows yesterday, and while they lived slightly longer (six hours), the same thing happened. Mostly spent time at the surface, then died.

Could really use some help. Until a year ago, I had one goldfish in a 3-gallon tank that was healthy for years, and never had any issues at all. The bigger tank is baffling me.

Hi, GSHIGGS! Welcome to Fishlore!

This might be totally wrong, BUT I thought Bio-Spira was only for saltwater tanks?? I don't know if that affects anything, but just thought I'd mention it...I've only ever personally seen the marine version.....

Edit to add: I just looked it up and apparently there is freshwater Bio Spira also! Sorry I wasn't helpful. LOL

 

Unfortunately, unless you were adding ammonia to the tank between the time you added the bacteria and when you added the fish, the bacteria likely starved off and the cycle never established.

If you choose to have the pet store test your water again be sure to ask them for the actual results and write down the numbers. Pet store employees often don't know what they're looking for in the test results so they just say fine or say something isn't fine that actually is and then try to sell you something you don't need.

Get the results, bring them to us, we'll tell you the truth and we won't try to sell you anything

 

Unfortunately, unless you were adding ammonia to the tank between the time you added the bacteria and when you added the fish, the bacteria likely starved off and the cycle never established.

If you choose to have the pet store test your water again be sure to ask them for the actual results and write down the numbers. Pet store employees often don't know what they're looking for in the test results so they just say fine or say something isn't fine that actually is and then try to sell you something you don't need.

Get the results, bring them to us, we'll tell you the truth and we won't try to sell you anything

psh, speak for yourself! I have this awesome stuff to sell

pet stores use the test strips usually which aren't all that accurate. just to prove that point to my petco guy, I brought my liquid kit in and showed him. I'm in there so often I joke that hes my best friend now. (4 times a week on average).

try not putting anything in your tank for a bit- let it cycle using the fishless cycle methods on here. then add fish, a couple a week, if you have a smaller tank, quarantine them before introducing to your main tank