Female Swordtail Very Sick

[Ethos]

The thing is though, I dunno who the parents are. My platie looked preggy, and so did my swordtail.
All of this in the 10G, and all females are dead.

 

[Annastasia]

Your Platy died too? This tank seems like it has some real issues...I guess you don't know the water params? Did you get the test kit yet?

 

[Ethos]

I've had the test kit for over a week.
I posted last wed. my par.
Here they are again:
Ph 7
Nitrate 0
Nitrite 0
Ammonia 0

 

[Annastasia]

Ah, so your tank isn't cycled? As you have no nitrAte. That might explain all the deaths...the cycling. But once you get through it, it should be a nice, healthy tank.

What are your params from the tap? Do you have a lot of Live plants? Trying to make sure the no NitrAte means it is cycling...

 

[Ethos]

dunno about the tap, dont want to test it tonight.
No live plants.
I'm just guessing from what I remeber, I dunno how acurate This is. I know ammonia and the Ph are correct, I'm just guessing from memorie about the nitrate and nitrite...

 

[Annastasia]

Oh....okay. Well, my guess is the tank is cycling, that's why there have been deaths. I'd go test the tank again, then come post the params. here right away so you don't forget. Do you have anything in the tank to be producing ammonia? No fish? Are you adding ammonia?

 

[Ethos]

I have a few WC and a few fry. Thats it.
I rarely add chemicals to the tank, and when I do, its either stresscoat, aquasafe, or a medicen.

 

[Annastasia]

Ammonia isn't a chemical like that, you add it for cycling.

Though if you have fish, they are producing the ammonia to cycle it. However, I'm not sure the fry will live through the cycling...it can be hard for them.

 

[Ethos]

I dont think the tank is still cycling....

 

[Annastasia]

Well, what were your latest readings? If the nitrate is zero, the tank hasn't cycled, or you live in one of the rare places where nitrAte is zero out of the tap. Or you might have put it through a mini-cycle, it is hard to say. Sometimes cycles can last for over a month though, so don't be fooled by the time.....