Could really use some assistance

[Byron]

Some of this may be due to the tap water, but that is easily confirmed/discounted. Test your tap water on its own for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. Also, what is the GH and pH of your tap water (these you can probably get from the water authority, check their website). If you have a test for both, fine.

The cycling (or lack thereof) is the main issue here.

 

[xxAlexxx23]

Some of this may be due to the tap water, but that is easily confirmed/discounted. Test your tap water on its own for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. Also, what is the GH and pH of your tap water (these you can probably get from the water authority, check their website). If you have a test for both, fine.

The cycling (or lack thereof) is the main issue here.

Yeah i didnt know about the cycling process. All in all i have lost 8 fish and 2 of them died within 24 hours of being put into the tank. They told me that i need to water change and put in nite-out to get rid of the high levels and since then i havent been able to get back to normal.

 

[Byron]

Yeah i didnt know about the cycling process. All in all i have lost 8 fish and 2 of them died within 24 hours of being put into the tank. They told me that i need to water change and put in nite-out to get rid of the high levels and since then i havent been able to get back to normal.

Additives and chemicals is not the way to go with fish, but stores like to sell these concoctions regardless of whether they do or don't help anything. There are times when "x" might work, but water changes are almost always the first "treatment" and often the only one needed.

 

[xxAlexxx23]

Additives and chemicals is not the way to go with fish, but stores like to sell these concoctions regardless of whether they do or don't help anything. There are times when "x" might work, but water changes are almost always the first "treatment" and often the only one needed.

yeah i dont like using a bunch of chemicals. Now let me ask you a question since the water that i use for my tank is tap water how would i make it safe for me to enter into my tank when doing a water change?

 

[Byron]

yeah i dont like using a bunch of chemicals. Now let me ask you a question since the water that i use for my tank is tap water how would i make it safe for me to enter into my tank when doing a water change?

Aside from chlorine or chloramine that may be added by the municipal water authority, tap water should generally be safe. A good water conditioner will detoxify chlorine/chloramine, and most also deal with heavy metals which is fine. Beyond that, unless there is something in the water, no other products should be necessary.

I highly recommend API Tap Water Conditioner. It is the most concentrated one available (for just chlorine) and that means you use less, a benefit for the fish and your wallet. StressCoat was mentioned earlier, this is not a good product as it contains aloe vera and long-term this does seem to harm fish gills.

The main thing now is to get the cycling done, and Colin I think explained that. Daily water changes to keep ammonia and nitrite as low as possible. The tap water tests I suggested earlier will determine if either of these (and nitrate too) are in the water.

Feed sparingly, no more than once a day, missing alternate days won't hurt either. The less that goes in, the less comes out to raise the ammonia/nitrite.

 

[xxAlexxx23]

Aside from chlorine or chloramine that may be added by the municipal water authority, tap water should generally be safe. A good water conditioner will detoxify chlorine/chloramine, and most also deal with heavy metals which is fine. Beyond that, unless there is something in the water, no other products should be necessary.

I highly recommend API Tap Water Conditioner. It is the most concentrated one available (for just chlorine) and that means you use less, a benefit for the fish and your wallet. StressCoat was mentioned earlier, this is not a good product as it contains aloe vera and long-term this does seem to harm fish gills.

The main thing now is to get the cycling done, and Colin I think explained that. Daily water changes to keep ammonia and nitrite as low as possible. The tap water tests I suggested earlier will determine if either of these (and nitrate too) are in the water.

Feed sparingly, no more than once a day, missing alternate days won't hurt either. The less that goes in, the less comes out to raise the ammonia/nitrite.

Alright cool i will give that a go today see what ends up happening

Appreciate the help!

 

[xxAlexxx23]

@Byron so i went to petsmart and wasnt able to get the API water conditioner was only able to purchase TopFin water conditioner. Just do a water change put in the tap water and hit it with only water conditioner right?

 

[JuiceBox52]

@Byron so i went to petsmart and wasnt able to get the API water conditioner was only able to purchase TopFin water conditioner. Just do a water change put in the tap water and hit it with only water conditioner right?

Yes

 

[Byron]

Yes, just be sure to add the conditioner either to the water outside the tank (as when using buckets) or just as you begin to fill if using a Python directly connected to the tap. Add only the required amount for the replacement water volume.

 

[xxAlexxx23]

Yes, just be sure to add the conditioner either to the water outside the tank (as when using buckets) or just as you begin to fill if using a Python directly connected to the tap. Add only the required amount for the replacement water volume.

Update -
40 gallon tank has been water changed 75% - refilled with tap water and added tap water conditioner. Swapped out the filter with a brand new one. Fish are looking a bit better already!

5 gallon tank completely took fish out and decorations replaced the ugly white rocks that had the algae showing everywhere with black rocks. Filled up the tank with tap water, conditioner, and API quick start. Filter changed as well. Waiting for it to clean up

 

[xxAlexxx23]

Update -
5 gallon tank is doing splendid everything is where it should be at

The 37 gallon tank after the 75% water change -
Nitrate - 40 which needs to be lower of course
nitrite - is off the charts there is no color for it.

Any recommendations on how to get that lower?

 

[Salty&Onion]

Update -
5 gallon tank is doing splendid everything is where it should be at

The 37 gallon tank after the 75% water change -
Nitrate - 40 which needs to be lower of course
nitrite - is off the charts there is no color for it.

Any recommendations on how to get that lower?

Water changes

 

[Byron]

Update -
5 gallon tank is doing splendid everything is where it should be at

The 37 gallon tank after the 75% water change -
Nitrate - 40 which needs to be lower of course
nitrite - is off the charts there is no color for it.

Any recommendations on how to get that lower?

Have you tested the tap water on its own for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate?

Daily water changes are essential if ammonia or nitrite is above zero.

I would use a bacterial supplement in the 40g to help seed the bacteria faster. Tetra's SafeStart is probably the best here, but Seachem's Stability would be better than nothing if you cannot get the SafeStart locally. You want to get whatever you can now, not wait for online delivery. Failing either of these locally, any other similar product might help.

 

[xxAlexxx23]

Have you tested the tap water on its own for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate?

Daily water changes are essential if ammonia or nitrite is above zero.

I would use a bacterial supplement in the 40g to help seed the bacteria faster. Tetra's SafeStart is probably the best here, but Seachem's Stability would be better than nothing if you cannot get the SafeStart locally. You want to get whatever you can now, not wait for online delivery. Failing either of these locally, any other similar product might help.

Ammonia is 0 right now

its just the high nitrite/nitrate in the 37g and my fish are swimming oddly

Also i have not tested the tap water for it. Would it help to do water change with RO water??

 

[Byron]

Ammonia is 0 right now

its just the high nitrite/nitrate in the 37g and my fish are swimming oddly

Also i have not tested the tap water for it. Would it help to do water change with RO water??

Water change period is what you need, the fish appear to be suffering from nitrite poisoning and this cannot last. As for RO, why is there a problem with the tap water alone? Have you tested it for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate, and with what numbers?