Hello,and help!:)

[Smoky]

Hello,Im reentering the hobby and looking for some answers.As a kid i kept a 10 gallon community tank with all the ussual suspects.For X-mas this year i got my daughters a little 5 gallon tank that i figured i could get a few neons and the like for it.A week after setup I went to the pet store to get some hearty tropicals mostly fish I had as a kid and had the lady over there talked me into getting some gold fish for the tank stating that they would be easier to take care of while the tank gets established.While never having a gold fish in my life I decided to get the gold fish.I got 6 small commets,fan tails,black moores.Quickly I learned that they are dirty.Within 3 days I couldnt see the back of the tank it got so cloudy.I tried everything from water changes to chemicals but was no use i lost 4 of them.I realize what I did to many dirty gold fish,to small of a tank.

Within 2 weeks I had purchased a 30g tank and tossed my last 2 gold fish in there(fantail,blackmoore).One week later I got another blackmoore he only lived 4 days(ich).The other two fish look very healthy.The tank I have now is 3 weeks old.I have added salt as directed and have ussed Stress Zyme as directed.My problem is the PH is through the roof 7.8+.I have normal ammonia levels in the tank and have no idea of hardness.The thing that is driving me crazy is that the source water is to the acidic side,well water with 2 filters and softener.
No matter where i put the water a cup,fishbowl, or main tank it will go from acidic to high alcaline without any additives.I have ussed Ph down but to no affect.What is acting as a buffer?What can I do about it?Do I just have to sweet it out till the tank cycles?Any help would be great........

 

[wetwetwet]

Moved your topic here smoky - should get more exposure


www

 

[wetwetwet]

This does sound a bit confusing

I'm not familiar with well water but I know some ( I guess on your side of the pond) are.

I'm only guessing but maybe its something to do with the filters and softener on the well water.....

I doubt the tank has cycled and ammonia spikes/stress probably killed the fish. Also very bad advice from lfs

Smoky more info would be usefull....

1. Water parameters. (ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, PH, temp', Hardness etc)
2. A full description of the fishes symptoms.
3. How often you do water changes and how much.
4. Any chemicals and treatments you add to the water.
5. WhatTank mates are in the tank.
6. Tank size. Filtration.
7. Finally how experienced are you in keeping fish.

Just another thought, any decor/gravel that might be affecting water chemistry?

O, and why adding salt and stress lyme (don't know what this is?)

 

[Smoky]

Ok heres what I know.As a kid I kept a tank for 4 years Neons,Barbs,Mollies,guppies ect.I now have 2 Goldfish,6Tetras.30gallon tank with undergravel filter and 30-50gallon whisper filter.The tank has been together for 3 weeks.Once a week im changing 20% of the water.My ammonia level is very low almost no sign of any,ph 7.8+,I dont know how to check hardness or nitrate.nitrite levels.As for adding salt im told that it helps conditions water,reduce stress 1 Tbs per gallon.The StressZyme(just started ussing last week)improves the development of the bio filter it is basically live bacteria.I started ussing it after i lost the other black moore.Tank to clean PH to high!

 

[Smoky]

Opps,temp low-mid 70s.The tank is a corner tanks about 18inch wide octogon and about 2ft high.I have 3 large plants,3 small(all plastic),2 small rock caves one large one.They where all rinsed well and are made for aquariums.I dont think this is the issue because i made a medical tank(goldfish bowl)Nothing more than 1 sm plant and under gravel filter it acts same way.My old 5 gallon tank was filled with purchased spring water and again was same way.I thought it might be the gravel but i have ussed 3 different kinds all well rinsed between the 5g 30g and gold fish bowl.The first fish i lost before new tank got what look like fugis on there bodies with fin rot.The Black Moore started hiding after second day from the store in the new tank then one day he had spots everywhere.I added some ick medicine but was to late lost him the next day.