Help Me! My Fish Are On Their Last Fins!

[Tasha89]

Ok...sorry to be a pain but may someone answer me a few questions?

1. Would Tetra Safe Start help the water at all?
2. What breed(s)/size pleco/catfish would be suitable for my 50L tank (don't worry i'm not gonna add ANY fish for at least another month or two!)
3. What breeds of fish would go well with a betta, possibly 4 danios (if they fight for their lives!), and 2 neons? P.S. I like coloufull and weird fish!! lol! And I keep the tank at 24-25C

Thanks, Tasha

 

[waterdrop]

For those of us hanging around the forum for a long time and reading a lot of threads, we form opinions of the test kits based on the anecdotes of the threads we read. I fall among these. Some very long time fishkeepers here may have direct experience with many different test kits.

At any rate, with that preface, I will say that I believe I have seen in about two threads that people have had problems or questioned the results of Interpet tablet based tests. I do not know how many other times people have reported using these interpet kits and reported not having problems, to compare. I of course would be interested in any gut feelings other experienced members have had from either direct experience or their collected thread readings, as I would not like to magnify a problem that doesn't actually exist.

Anyway, in your case Natasha, I think we feel you are probably near the end of a Fish-In cycling experience and it may well be that your interpet tests will see you through ok. I just wanted to comment that I remember collecting these couple of negative memories, though not as negative as strip-type tests of course.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[Tasha89]

For those of us hanging around the forum for a long time and reading a lot of threads, we form opinions of the test kits based on the anecdotes of the threads we read. I fall among these. Some very long time fishkeepers here may have direct experience with many different test kits.

At any rate, with that preface, I will say that I believe I have seen in about two threads that people have had problems or questioned the results of Interpet tablet based tests. I do not know how many other times people have reported using these interpet kits and reported not having problems, to compare. I of course would be interested in any gut feelings other experienced members have had from either direct experience or their collected thread readings, as I would not like to magnify a problem that doesn't actually exist.

Anyway, in your case Natasha, I think we feel you are probably near the end of a Fish-In cycling experience and it may well be that your interpet tests will see you through ok. I just wanted to comment that I remember collecting these couple of negative memories, though not as negative as strip-type tests of course.

~~waterdrop~~

Hey waterdrop,

Thanks for the inof. I was talked out of the strip tests by the guy at Maidenhead Aquatics as he said they were crap! lol! I think when i'm done with these tablets (only got 3 for NO2 left as i've been checking every day) i'm gonna invest in the Mini master test kit is it? does anyone know of where to get hold of one at a reasonable price in the UK? Whether it be online or in a store?

Cheers! Tasha

 

[Tropicoll]

Tasha

Been following the thread with interest as wish you all the best with getting your tank running right and saving the fish.

I bought my tank at P@H and when I bought it was told it was 50l. Turned out to be 39l (less the gravel). I was also sold the wrong heater, but thankfully the right filter for the tank. Suffice to say I am so very not impressed with them. I am using the Maidenhead Aquatics in my local nursery for most of my stuff and a nearby (in the other direction) LFS for second opinions.

I think the test kit you're after is the API Master Liquid Test Kit. I purchased one of these at P@H (I was desperate!) and it cost me £26. You can get it for 17-20 + postage on eBay but ask your LFS and they may have one in stock.

Which area of the UK are you in?

Good luck!

Collin

 

[Tasha89]

Tasha

Been following the thread with interest as wish you all the best with getting your tank running right and saving the fish.

I bought my tank at P@H and when I bought it was told it was 50l. Turned out to be 39l (less the gravel). I was also sold the wrong heater, but thankfully the right filter for the tank. Suffice to say I am so very not impressed with them. I am using the Maidenhead Aquatics in my local nursery for most of my stuff and a nearby (in the other direction) LFS for second opinions.

I think the test kit you're after is the API Master Liquid Test Kit. I purchased one of these at P@H (I was desperate!) and it cost me £26. You can get it for 17-20 + postage on eBay but ask your LFS and they may have one in stock.

Which area of the UK are you in?

Good luck!

Collin

Thanks Coll for all your best wishes! (And thanks to everyone else of course!!)

It's turned into a right drama hasn't it?! Fish dying left right and centre! If there's any losses when I get home tonight I wont be happy!

The tank i've got was a donation from one of my friends, another fish fanatic, and she said it was about 45-50L so I trust her! lol!

I have a 50w heater and the filter was the one from the freebie tank so i can only asume it's the correct filter!

I'll have a look on ebay for that, thanks.

I'm in N.York btw.

Thanks, Tasha

 

[B13]

...I believe I have seen in about two threads that people have had problems or questioned the results of Interpet tablet based tests.

That may be one o' mine! Heh heh heh!!

I've now got the API test kit and I'm curious to see how the results differ (or match)

 

[waterdrop]

Yes, let us know B13!

 

[Tasha89]

Hey!

Nitrite levels are at 0.0!! Yay!!!

However, some of my fish are still having difficulty breathing...

I only have 1 danio left who is still able to swim about fine, but breathing rapidly, I lost one last night and the other 2 seem to be unable to swim in a straight line and are breathing at an incredible rate!

My betta is constantly sat at the bottom of the tank. I don't think his breathing is as bad as the danios but he never seems to get up and do anything unless he's moving to another spot at the bottom of the tank.

Help! I'm at my wits end!! lol! You reckon they've got permanent gill damage so that's why they're finding it hard to breath?

Oh, I bought one of those API Master test kits, the readings don't really differ much at all. Not for NO2 anyway, not checked any other elements yet.

I'll test them all in a bit and post results from both tests.

Thanks,

Tasha

 

[Tasha89]

Oh, btw. After doing a bit of research on good old 'Google'. I found that my betta is suffering from swim bladder.

After researching swim bladder, I came to the conclusion that it's best to fast them for 3 days? (I've done this anyway what with the nitrite levels!)

Then feed them a bite-size piece of a cooked, shelled pea? I'm gonna try this in a few mins.

Also, i've put him in an 11L tank on his own for now, all filtered and heated, etc, with the same water from the main tank. I was told that they benefit from lower water levels as well when suffering with these conditions?

I've also added a small amount of Melafix to the tank as was told that it reduces stress on the fish?

Please let me know if everything i've done is right. I'd hate to have given him a death sentence!! Lol!

Thanks,

Tasha

 

[Tasha89]

Hey!

Doesn't matter about the betta anymore. I hadn't had him long (couple of weeks) so I took him back to the store and they swapped him for me. I felt like a failure giving up on him! But I do remember asking the sales guy if betta's normally sit on the bottom of the tank all the time when I bought it, he gave it a poke and said it was ok. So it was their fault anyway!

I got my new little guy today! He's soooooooo funny! He's not even bothered about his tank mates! The cory's are doing backflips round him yet he's more interested in his reflection! Vain git!! lol!

Anyway, you all remember the problems I had with my NO2?! It's fine now! Well i'm aware that exposure to high concentrates of NO2 cause gill damage. Now...my question is, is this permanent? Reason being, i've got 2 danios left so just float at the top of the tank (no they're NOT dead!! Lol!) and breath quite rapidly. They swim about fine but very rarely leave the surface. And they've not eaten since Sun.

I think the NO2 levels had something to do with it. All my other fish seem to have been pretty hardy and pulled through great. I phoned Pets@Home today and they just said wait and see...useless gits! I hate seeing animals in distress. I'd rather put them out of their misery than let them struggle.

And secondly is it curable? Or are my little guys doomed like this for the rest of their little lives?

Thanks,

Tasha

Oh tested water today...

PH - 7.2
Ammonia - 0.0ppm
Nitrite - 0.0
Nitrate - 5-10ppm (color chart very similar! lol!)