New Tank - Need HELP!

I will upload some pictures here in a minute.

See I was told having a live plant is not a good idea for beginners. I had initially wanted one.

I sadly realized after my first attempt at adding fish in my tank when they started dying that I had done something wrong by adding 10 fish at once. I wouldn't have bought fish that day if it was not recommended to me. I blame myself, I should have done more research online instead of someone selling fish in a store I guess :/.

 

Personally I'd never trust a chain store testing my water -- they're always going to tell you it's fine so you'll buy fish.

It sounds like your tank isn't cycled. I would recommend doing a large water change, dosing a full bottle of tss+ and waiting a week before doing anything - testing included.

 

Live plants such as java moss, anubias, and java fern are great for beginners and grow in low light(of course they will grow slower). As long as you have a light source they will do fine whether it be from the window or you have a hood light.

 

It's all a matter of chance if the person in the store knows fish or not. You've definitely come to a good place to get information. On a good note, the numbers you posted, it looks like the tank is cycled!

One thing I do really like about PetSmart is the 14 day return policy.

Since you're working with a 10, I'd suggest taking a look over this thread. It provides a very comprehensive list of stocking options for 10 gallon tanks. https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfishforum/threads/stocking-list-for-10-gallons.207629/

As to the live plant, if you go with something simple, it can benefit the tank and look really nice. Something like annubias takes very little work.

 

https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfishforum/threads/stocking-list-for-10-gallons.207629/

That is an appropriate stocking list for 10 gallon tanks.
Your options are more limited with a 10, but you still have a lot.

My suggestion is for you to do some reasearch on the species on that list and what you've got, then come up with a stock list and we'll help you troubleshoot it here on the forum.
Do not add anything else until after you get your API kit. Petsmart employees are not a reliable source for anything (many, many, many of us here have learned that the hard way too).

https://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm



Some light reading while you wait this weekend to help you understand the nitrogen cycle of an aquarium.

You will want actual numbers for your hardness levels just so you know, You probably won't ever have to do anything with them, but if they are low they can cause problems.

We'll need someone who has more experience with API to weigh in on the additives you are using, I have never used them.
CindiL TexasDomer
The bat signal is lit!

 

Personally I'd never trust a chain store testing my water -- they're always going to tell you it's fine so you'll buy fish.

It sounds like your tank isn't cycled. I would recommend doing a large water change, dosing a full bottle of tss+ and waiting a week before doing anything - testing included.

0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 10 nitrate... the tank is cycled.

 

0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 10 nitrate... the tank is cycled.

Test was done at petsmart. They use strips and are in the business of selling.

Behavior of the fish points to ammonia toxicity.

 

0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 10 nitrate... the tank is cycled.

There's no way to confirm that with the OP using strips and petsmart employees. The Nitrates could be from Tap.

The OP cannot test their tap water until Monday, so we're kind of in a holding pattern. Until we can confirm cycle status, we have to assume it's not cycled.

 

op's water test is not trustful...

anything from strips should not be trust anyways!

invest a good box of apI master test kit please!

 

Thank you everyone for being so eager to help me and answering so quickly.

I realized today that I had been relying on the wrong people for information. I'm mostly concerned now with what I can do to prevent any more of my fish from getting sick. I know it's hard to know the exact route of the problem since I don't have my test kit yet.

I am currently reading all of the information you guys linked to me and I can say it's definitely way more helpful than anything I was previously told.

 

and I recommend you buy some live plants as they are very helpful!

 

This is something I am most definitely investing in! I was thinking about some of the Java moss that was mentioned earlier.

Right now now I am wondering if I should just return my gourami and see if they will take my barbs since I don't want them to die. Will that be causing more stress?

 

yup go ahead!

 

I don't have any info right now but I'm bumping for myself so when you post the exact parameters of your tank on monday when you get the test kit.

 

I'm just going to say that don't hate all the employees of the big chain pet stores. There are some Petcos and Petsmarts where the fish specialist/s actually know what they are talking about. I've seen an emplyee tell a family that they must cycle and they can't buy the fish yet.

 

I agree, and I shouldn't blame my tank troubles solely on Petsmart. I've got a beautiful 2 year old pup that Petsmart really came through on a lot of help with in the beginning. I do realize that I may have not been talking to the most knowledgeable employee in the fish department.

The fault really should lie with myself for not researching the proper information first before going out and buying a tank.

A small consolation - originally when I had decided to start keeping fish I went out and with the advice of someone on Facebook bought a 2.5 gallon tank that I had planned on keeping. I quickly realized the blasphemy I was about to commit and exchanged it for something I could manage in my apartment, which is my current 10 gallon. I should have researched more thoroughly into how to properly cycle my tank first though.

 

I'm just going to say that don't hate all the employees of the big chain pet stores. There are some Petcos and Petsmarts where the fish specialist/s actually know what they are talking about. I've seen an emplyee tell a family that they must cycle and they can't buy the fish yet.

They're few and far between unfortunately.

 

Test was done at petsmart. They use strips and are in the business of selling.

Behavior of the fish points to ammonia toxicity.

If my ammonia levels said 0 they can still be suffering from ammonia poisoning? Not trying to be daft sorry :/

 

If my ammonia levels said 0 they can still be suffering from ammonia poisoning? Not trying to be daft sorry :/

I think the concern, if both you and the store were using strips, that the 0 reading may be inaccurate, thus why it may be the case. If it is actually 0, then no, it wouldn't be ammonia poisoning. If the test is wrong, then it's possible. Are you noticing any redness around the gills?

 

I think the concern, if both you and the store were using strips, that the 0 reading may be inaccurate, thus why it may be the case. If it is actually 0, then no, it wouldn't be ammonia poisoning. If the test is wrong, then it's possible. Are you noticing any redness around the gills?

Ah now I understand. Yes previously I was using strips and now I know that they are not accurate. My readings on the strips were 0 but since they pretty much can be thrown out I won't rule that out.

I haven't noticed any redness in the gills. And they do not seem to be at the surface gasping for air. One of the barbs seems to be opening and closing his mouth somewhat frequently. Maybe once or twice a minute. No faded coloring from what I can see. And everyone has an appetite.

 

Here's a link a member posted awhile ago. The post and the response is well worth reading:

Please share to other aquarist or people who dislike the big chains because the stores should be rated individually. It depends on the emplyees of the store not just the name.

 

Glad to hear that everyone else still seems to be doing well It's also possible that when you added the gourami, there was an ammonia spike from the added waste of the new fish, and that maybe the one barb couldn't handle that small spike.

 

Here's a link a member posted awhile ago. The post and the response is well worth reading:
Please share to other aquarist or people who dislike the big chains because the stores should be rated individually. It depends on the emplyees of the store not just the name.

Thank you!

Glad to hear that everyone else still seems to be doing well It's also possible that when you added the gourami, there was an ammonia spike from the added waste of the new fish, and that maybe the one barb couldn't handle that small spike.

That makes a lot of sense.

 

HI @, welcome to fishlore

Looks like you have been finding out the hard way (as many do) what happens with fish in an uncycled tank. I am amazed that they ever tell people to go home, run the tank for a few days and then add a bunch of fish. Someone who gives advice like this has never had fish and has not been properly trained.

Well anyways, not your fault

On Monday after you get your test kit, will you test both tap and tank for ammonia, nitrites, nitrates and ph and post them here?

I would pick up some Seachem Prime and quit using API Stresscoat which is basically a dechlorinator with some aloe in it. If you have chloramines in your tap water (which many do), it will do nothing for the left over ammonia. (chloramines = chlorine + ammonia). Prime removes chlorine and chloramines and detoxifies ammonia and nitrites up to 1.0, removes heavy metals and aids in slime coat production. It is very inexpensive per gallon.

The stress zyme you are using is a type of heterotrophic bacteria that breaks down organic waste its ok to use with water changes. Once we determine if you're cycled or not we might have you pick up some Seachem Stability, which is live nitrifying bacteria and will help seed your filter and keep your fish safe.

 

I would pick up some Seachem Prime and quit using API Stresscoat which is basically a dechlorinator with some aloe in it. If you have chloramines in your tap water (which many do), it will do nothing for the left over ammonia. (chloramines = chlorine + ammonia). Prime removes chlorine and chloramines and detoxifies ammonia and nitrites up to 1.0, removes heavy metals and aids in slime coat production. It is very inexpensive per gallon.

The stress zyme you are using is a type of heterotrophic bacteria that breaks down organic waste its ok to use with water changes. Once we determine if you're cycled or not we might have you pick up some Seachem Stability, which is live nitrifying bacteria and will help seed your filter and keep your fish safe.

I would go ahead and get the Stability if you find the Prime. They will be right near each other and less than $15 each. The stability is great to have on hand any time you need it.

 

tss is much cheaper and useful!

 

I would get at least 25 gallon unless you just want a couple very small fish. At 25 your options open up a lot.

 

tss is much cheaper and useful!

TSS would jump start the cycle, but Prime is a water conditioner to treat the tap water. Two separate things, basically that end you at the point if specifically talking about the main cycle, but the prime has additional uses.

 

TSS would jump start the cycle, but Prime is a water conditioner to treat the tap water. Two separate things, basically that end you at the point if specifically talking about the main cycle, but the prime has additional uses.

basically that someone recommend stability which is more expensive...so I recommend tss

 

I think it depends on the person. I personally prefer stability because it allows me more control over what is happening in the tank (can still do water changes and test for levels), vs. TSS which is basically dump it in and wait. That's just my personal preference for being hands-on with things, even though it's more work. Either are fully viable options, but with any luck, maybe the tank really is cycled and the OP won't need to worry with either Test results Monday will tell.

 

good luck with it!

 

Thank you to everyone for being so eager to help me. My water test kit came in a day late (Tuesday evening) but all of my fish had passed by Monday morning so it was too late to help them.

I do think now after all of your input and and research that my tank was uncycled and that the fish were in fact suffering from ammonia poisoning. After closer inspection, I started to see red irritation in their gills. Combined with the lack of appetite that kicked in, rapid breathing and the fish hanging out at the bottom of the tank. I think a lot of the symptoms were there previously, but I did not know enough or pay attention enough to catch on to them.

I feel terrible but I know now what I did wrong. My goal is to restart the tank, using live plants and maintain that tank for at least a few months before adding fish again.

I'm going to keep the current 10 gallon I have, and this weekend or next week will begin adding my live plants. I plan on doing a low-tech/beginner planted tank. I am making a list of some of the plants I would like to add.

If anyone has any advice for a tank setup for a planted tank - I am all ears.

Again in thank you everyone, sorry I am late with the the update!

 

I'm sorry to hear that you lost them, but doing a fishless cycle will definitely be less stressful for the new inhabitants. I think many of us have done that, since the cycling process used to not be common, and unless research is done first, probably don't know about it. My parents used to keep fish many years ago, both fresh and salt water, and were completely surprised when I told them you were supposed to cycle fresh water tanks too (they thought only salt water needed to be cycled). Needless to say, when I got into the hobby for myself, I lost a ton of fish, likely for the same reason.

In my 10 gallon I currently have anubias, java fern, moss balls, pothos, and 1 amazon sword (though that may end up getting to be too big for the tank). I started mostly with things that were water column feeders, so I didn't have to worry about root tabs-the sword being a more recent addition.

 

I am sorry...

 

The thread has been tidied up & the side discussion on test kits has been moved to a thread of its own here

 

So I bought a fancy goldfish on March 1st being told by the pet store I would only need my fish tank set up for a day and I would be fine having a fish in it... fast forward through a lot of trial and error and a lot of research I found out for all that to be completely wrong so about two weeks ago my tank hit an ammonia spike still trying to get my tank cycled and I have been doing 50% water changes daily and was having a hard time keeping it my ammonia under .50ppm and this last week found out it was from the food I was giving him so I have stopped feeding him to run my levels I am still at .25ppm for ammonia and between .50-1.0ppm for nitrite and about 10-20 ppm for my nitrate and that’s doing 50% water changes daily... is there light at the end of my tunnel or am I doing something wrong?

 

How big is the tank?

 

How big is the tank?

10 Gallon

 

10 Gallon

Ok, this is your main problem. 10 gallons is far too small for a goldfish, with 25-30 gallons being the recommended minimum for a single fancy. I know all too well how difficult it is keeping the parameters in a small tank with a goldfish under control; my sister had a 10 gallon with a pleco, a fancy goldfish, minnows and corys in it and even after very heavy water changes daily I couldn't keep ammonia under 4ppm...

Granted your ammonia levels aren't that severe, but your small tank size, coupled with what I am assuming to be inadequate filtration, is the reason you can't get the ammonia under control.

Also, test your water straight from the tap and see if any ammonia is present.

 

Ok, this is your main problem. 10 gallons is far too small for a goldfish, with 25-30 gallons being the recommended minimum for a single fancy. I know all too well how difficult it is keeping the parameters in a small tank with a goldfish under control; my sister had a 10 gallon with a pleco, a fancy goldfish, minnows and corys in it and even after very heavy water changes daily I couldn't keep ammonia under 4ppm...

Granted your ammonia levels aren't that severe, but your small tank size, coupled with what I am assuming to be inadequate filtration, is the reason you can't get the ammonia under control.

Also, test your water straight from the tap and see if any ammonia is present.

The filter system I bought is for a 20-30 gallon tank that hangs off the back

I have also checked my levels in my water we are on well water and my ammonia levels are at 0...

I will definitely look into a bigger tank