Fish Are Dying Weekly

[rsands]

well said miss wiggle!

i hate the fish per gallon rule...there is so muh more to it than how many inches of fish per the gallon

 

[Miss Wiggle]

well said miss wiggle!

i hate the fish per gallon rule...there is so muh more to it than how many inches of fish per the gallon

i wouldn't go so far as to say i hate it. it has it's place, as a rough guide for beginners to allow them to stock lightly and thus not make any significant mistakes and have a good margin for error it's great. however when people try to lay it down like it is law it becomes a problem.

 

[rdd1952]

I understand the fact that broad statement like that makes no sense but considering he said he lost 2 platys, 1 cherry barb and 1 cardinal, I'd say he has way too any fish if they are all in that size range unless he has massive filtration.

I also figure he (or she) has given up on this post since he hasn't answered any of the questions posed about water stats.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

I understand the fact that broad statement like that makes no sense but considering he said he lost 2 platys, 1 cherry barb and 1 cardinal, I'd say he has way too any fish if they are all in that size range unless he has massive filtration.

I also figure he (or she) has given up on this post since he hasn't answered any of the questions posed about water stats.

no you are right rdd, there is a fair possibility this tank is overstocked.

however jumping down the OP's throat with posts just saying you have way too many fish and not offering any constructive advice, waiting to find out the facts or providing any reference sources for the OP to learn from will achieve nothing except scare off the OP or get their back up.

It's a common problem with forums IMHE, once a newbie to this hobby learns a bit about cycling and stocking etc they feel it is time to give some knowledge back, now that in itself is a noble sentiment and one i will always applaud. however sometimes the advice offered is based on a few broad statements they assume to be facts because they do not have the depth of knowledge.

now don't get me wrong, i by no means think expereinced members should have monopoly over answering posts or that newer members should not help. or indeed that someone is correct simply because they are more experienced. but sometimes i wish people would just take a step back and do a bit more learning before they jump in bandying around assumptions, it can do more harm than good.

I'm probably in for a flaming now for saying that, but it does get my goat a bit sometimes.

take for example these two posts

18 fish in a 14 gallon tank

this is not going to help anyone, no advice just a statement followed by a load of smilies

Thats what i was thinking! That is way to many in a 15gal tank. They will be stressed and that may be the reason they are dying! What fish are in there?

another post from a beginner, but commenting that the stocking may be the problem but waiting for the OP's answer before passing judgement.

easy to see what will help and what won't

 

[-germ-]

Whats wrong with smilies?

Germ; forever lowering the tone.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

see i knew i'd get some flak.

nothing in itself wrong with smilies, i use them myself. just a limit to my tolerance with them!

 

[Chubbywubs]

I know they go hand in hand, but you can have an over stocked tank, with more than enough filtration and your fish will be in a great environment. On the over hand you can have poor filtration and an overstocked tank in which case it still boils down to water quality. Hence why i said his water propertys are more of a concern than the number of fish in his tank.



He/she has yet to mention any water stats or any information on if there is a filtration system in place and which type.

 

[fiskkeeperpro]

soz i havent been on since you hav asked questions.
PH- 8.2
Ammonia- 0
Nitrite-1ppm
Nitrate-20ppm

I leave the water in my kitchen that is heated by underfloor.

I had
3 platys,
7 male endlers,
3 cardinals,
3 guppys,
2 cherry barbs
Now
1 platy
7 male endlers
2 cardinals
3 guppys
1 cherry barb
My filtration is as follows,
1 undergravel,
1 fluval 2+
1 juwel compact s

 

[Chubbywubs]

8.2 PH seems high to me. You should read up on the recommended PH level for your types of fish just to be on the safe side.

Edit: Different fish like different PH levels

 

[fiskkeeperpro]

ok thansk, i will research, i will buy some PH lowerer if i need to.
Do you think my filtration is ok?
I do use an air pump aswell, i forgot to mention that

 

[Chubbywubs]

Well i have the Fluval 2+ and i know that it filters just under 400 letres an hour. and you have about 57 letres so 400/57 = 7.01, so your tanks filtered around 7 times an hour.
Not really one with filters so its best you wait for some one who is, but im pretty sure 7 times an hour with that many fish might not be enough.. But your stats seem fine.


I've been told to get a filtration system for when i get my new tank that filters it 2-3 times a minute.


Just make sure you rinse your filter weekly, and do weekly water changes, and hopefully no more fish will die. (if more fish do die, please dont replace them, as chances are they will also die)

 

[Aphotic Phoenix]

The NitrIte level of 1 ppm sounds like the problem...and it's possible that your tank isn't fully cycled or is in a mini cycle atm.

Do not use chemicals like "pH down"...they will cause a yo-yo affect on your pH which is more harmful than good. If you feel it necessary to lower your pH, please do so by either adding peat into the filter/bogwood to the tank or diluting your hard tap water with a soft water source.

I'm fairly certain that cherry barbs need to be in larger groups, and may possibly be a bit on the large side for your tank.

Are the "Cardinals" tetras? They too should be kept in larger groups.

 

[Chubbywubs]

I've had higher readings than 1ppm when i first got my tank, and none of my fish died. But i guess some are more hardy than others.

 

[fiskkeeperpro]

ye, the "cardinals" are cardinal tetras

 

[Aphotic Phoenix]

I should have said "NitrItes of 1 ppm could have been a contributing factor". Hardy/healthy fish have certainly survived higher NitrItes levels, but an already weakened fish (due to disease, osmotic stress, harrassment from other fish, etc), could find NitrItes to be "the straw that broke the camels back". Remember that NitrIte poisoning is similar to Carbon Monoxide poisoning in humans...it bonds with the blood cells making it harder for oxygen to be carried.