Help! My Fish Are Acting Strange.

[emnem]

Yes, I agree that the tank isn't yet cycled.

Cycling often takes 6-10 weeks.

What sort of water test kit are you using? liquid or test strips? also what brand is the test kit?

Be prepared for a lot of hard work to keep all 12 fish alive through a cycle, you may be better trying to take some back to your lfs if you can. Tetra's are certainly not the best fish to be using if you are wanting to do a fish in cycle, you want something like platies or zebra danios or better still do a fishless cycle.

Andy

I am using a liquid test kit, and it is a API freshwater master test kit.

What sort of hard work do i need to be prepared for?

Thanks.

 

[tom_os]

regular water changes and tests

check everyday and if you have reading for ammonia or nitrite do a water change to get them to 0

 

[emnem]

regular water changes and tests

check everyday and if you have reading for ammonia or nitrite do a water change to get them to 0

ok.
I do a water change every week and do tests every other day apart from after adding fish when i do tests every day for a few days, but my ammonia and nitrite are both at 0, they rose and then fell to 0 again before i put any fish in.

Is there any other things i need to do?

Thanks

 

[tom_os]

not reallt

at the moment you want to be checking the water levels everyday and do a water change if ammonia or nitrite get above 0

also keep an eye on the fish, if any die for whatever reason make sure you remove them

also cut back on feeding. do it once every two days and dont over feed, this can help keep ammonia low

 

[arobinson1984]

Yes you are going to need to do 1 - 2 water changes every day, especially with 12 fish as your ammonia levels will rocket.

The test kit your are using is spot on!

Keep testing daily and watch out for your ammonia levels rising, at the first sign of the levels rising, you'll need to do a water change (about 40-50%) you must keep the levels as close to 0 as possible as any levels above 0.25 are harmful to fish, this is why fishless cycling is the best way to go.

Andy

Also make sure that you DON'T clean your filter media when you do water changes, this need to be left alone for the time being.

 

[emnem]

Yes you are going to need to do 1 - 2 water changes every day, especially with 12 fish as your ammonia levels will rocket.

The test kit your are using is spot on!

Keep testing daily and watch out for your ammonia levels rising, at the first sign of the levels rising, you'll need to do a water change (about 40-50%) you must keep the levels as close to 0 as possible as any levels above 0.25 are harmful to fish, this is why fishless cycling is the best way to go.

Andy

Also make sure that you DON'T clean your filter media when you do water changes, this need to be left alone for the time being.

ok, thanks for that.
however i think i have worked out the possible problem. i have a light in my tank and the new fish see to be scared of it, as i have now noticed that it is only when i turn the light on that they go nuts and then huddle in a corner, but when i turn it off after a few minutes they swim around happily again. Any idea's on this?
My first 6 fish (the glow light) tetras are not bothered by it, it is only the 6 new (green neon) tetras.

Thanks

 

[tom_os]

could be a possibility, how powerful is the light (size and wattage) and what is your tank size?

 

[emnem]

could be a possibility, how powerful is the light (size and wattage) and what is your tank size?

It is a 64L tank, it has 2 lights in the top a white light daylight which is 15watt and a blue light called cool blue moon which is 15watt. They are about the size of standard energy saving bulbs.

Thanks.

 

[tom_os]

shouldnt be a problem. i would leve the lights off for a day and give the new fish a chance to settle in the if you can gradually increase the light until they are both on

 

[emnem]

shouldnt be a problem. i would leve the lights off for a day and give the new fish a chance to settle in the if you can gradually increase the light until they are both on

ok thanks for that.

Will let everyone know how they are in the morning.

 

[emnem]

shouldnt be a problem. i would leve the lights off for a day and give the new fish a chance to settle in the if you can gradually increase the light until they are both on

ok thanks for that.

Will let everyone know how they are in the morning.

Hey guys!

Got up this morning and the new fish seem a bit more settled, they might be a bit nervous, i have fed them but the new green neons dont seem to go for the food like the glowlights. Could this be nerves?

Thanks.

 

[bagu]

shouldnt be a problem. i would leve the lights off for a day and give the new fish a chance to settle in the if you can gradually increase the light until they are both on

ok thanks for that.

Will let everyone know how they are in the morning.

Hey guys!

Got up this morning and the new fish seem a bit more settled, they might be a bit nervous, i have fed them but the new green neons dont seem to go for the food like the glowlights. Could this be nerves?

Thanks.

most likely, if it persists look for a problem on there body

 

[WILDER]

Might be stress due to the move. It can take a few days for fish to settle.