Help With Poorly Tetras

[tess_774]

Ok thanks, I'll be getting the better water testing kit next week so I'll be able to give you more acurate results, the kit I have doesnt test the Ammonia, do i test the water straight away after a water change or do I leave it for a while first?

 

[Assaye]

Ok thanks, I'll be getting the better water testing kit next week so I'll be able to give you more acurate results, the kit I have doesnt test the Ammonia, do i test the water straight away after a water change or do I leave it for a while first?

Leave it for about 15 mins to let all the water mix in.

 

[tess_774]

Nitrate 50
Nitrite 1
General Hardness 16
Carbonated Hardness 10
pH 8.0
Chlorine 0.8

 

[Assaye]

Nitrate 50
Nitrite 1
General Hardness 16
Carbonated Hardness 10
pH 8.0
Chlorine 0.8

Getting better but it still needs to go lower.

Nitrates are getting high but that will be sorted by the water changes anyway.

 

[tess_774]

Ok thanks, I'll post the new water results again tomorrow


Do you know what that stuff is I mentioned on the suckers on the filter?

 

[Assaye]

Ok thanks, I'll post the new water results again tomorrow


Do you know what that stuff is I mentioned on the suckers on the filter?

Could be snail eggs. As the tank is an eco-system, there are a lot of (mostly harmless) micro-organisms and small animals that live in it.

 

[tess_774]

Hi again, we've got a goldfish tank, when I do a water change for them would it be worth while rinsing the filter for the tropical fish in the water I remove from the goldfish, this tank is well established and has all the good bacteria in or wont it work like that.


Or is it a good idea to buy this?
http/www.petsathome.com/shop/nutrafin-cycle-120ml-31878


This is the water testing kit I will buy, is this one of the ones you recommend?
http/www.petsathome.com/shop/api-master-test-kit-25613


Todays water results

Nitrate 25
Nitrite 0
General Hardness 16
Carbonated Hardness 10
pH 7.6
Chlorine 0.8

Thanks again for all your help

 

[JoshuaA]

Or is it a good idea to buy this?
http/www.petsathome.com/shop/nutrafin-cycle-120ml-31878

The only thing this will reduce is the amount of money in your wallet, avoid falling into the whole bottled bacteria crap. I got a free bottle of that nutrafin cycle when we got our tank and I can confirm it did absolutely nothing. I also believe following the instructions on the Nutrafin cycle bottle you will use that small bottle up in no time.

This is the water testing kit I will buy, is this one of the ones you recommend?
http/www.petsathome.com/shop/api-master-test-kit-25613

That is a recommended kit and we also use the same kit. However don't fall into the same mistake me and my girlfriend made, you can find it much cheaper than pets at home. After all why would you give them the business when the likelihood is they are the ones to blame for why your fish are in this situation.

If you want to buy equipment/treatments I really would just recommend eBay, if you're a first time buyer don't fall into the trap thinking all product sales are a bidding war. You can pick up larger quantities at better prices!
Google search for API master test kit

 

[tess_774]

Ok thank you, I'm still not sure what my water results should be? I know they are getting lower but I'm not sure how far I have to go, they are looking a lot happier although I still haven't seen them eating, surely they must be though otherwise they'd be dead?

 

[Assaye]

Hi again, we've got a goldfish tank, when I do a water change for them would it be worth while rinsing the filter for the tropical fish in the water I remove from the goldfish, this tank is well established and has all the good bacteria in or wont it work like that.


Or is it a good idea to buy this?
http/www.petsathome.com/shop/nutrafin-cycle-120ml-31878


This is the water testing kit I will buy, is this one of the ones you recommend?
http/www.petsathome.com/shop/api-master-test-kit-25613


Todays water results

Nitrate 25
Nitrite 0
General Hardness 16
Carbonated Hardness 10
pH 7.6
Chlorine 0.8

Thanks again for all your help

Don't bother with cycle - it's a quick fix for poorly tanks but doesn't use the right bacteria to make any long term change in the tank. On top of that, the product rarely works.

The test kit is the one I use. You will be able to find it a lot cheaper on somewhere like eBay.

Your results are looking much better. Not sure why chlorine is high - do you use a water conditioner? Nitrite is zero so that's perfect but you still need to test as it could spike again tomorrow. Nitrates are at a perfectly safe level for your fish. I'd be looking to keep them between 5 and 40, with 20 being a good place. However, they are actually safe for most hardy species at a much higher level.

Ok thank you, I'm still not sure what my water results should be? I know they are getting lower but I'm not sure how far I have to go, they are looking a lot happier although I still haven't seen them eating, surely they must be though otherwise they'd be dead?

Ammonia and nitrites MUST be zero (not even 0.1) and nitrates should be kept as low as you can with weekly water changes.

You'll get a feel for it as you go!

 

[tess_774]

Ok thanks! my tank is 20 litres, I only have 5 cardinals, how many fish do you recommend I put in?

 

[Assaye]

Ok thanks! my tank is 20 litres, I only have 5 cardinals, how many fish do you recommend I put in?

Cardinals are in fact not best suited to a tank as small as yours. They get to 1.5 inches and need plenty of space to hide, move and shoal. They greatly benefit from large groups and need very stable water conditions.

I would strongly recommend exchanging them for a group of 6 microrasboras or small tetras, such as galaxy rasbora, ember tetra, green neon tetra or chilli rasbora. Something with an adult size of under an inch.

Other options include a single betta splendens or a pair of sparkling gourami. The tank could be finished off with a small colony of freshwater shrimp.

This would be best for the fish - cardinals are just too big and active as adults to thrive in such a tiny tank.

If you do insist on keeping them, so not add anymore fish to the tank. Keep the tank warm (27-28C) and natural, with dark gravel or sand, dark background, low lighting and plenty of live or silk plants to hide in. At most, add a small colony of small shrimp.

It is hard to accept that small fish need large tanks but I think you'll start to see what I mean when the fish get a bit bigger. For cardinals, I would recommend 60 litres as a minimum.

 

[tess_774]

Just a quick update on how my fish are doing, all are doing really well, I got my ammonia testing kit and the results are fine. I have a few new fish and some Amano Shrimp, all seem very happy and are eating well

 

[waterdrop]

Sounds good! Keep it up!

 

[stoneagedinosaur]

Well done for sticking at it - it can get quite disheartening. Piccys?