How do I fix my 30 gallon tank? Fish keep slowly dying.

[oceanArnold]

If your books don't cover it, Seriouslyfish.com will give you the hardness ranges for each species. They also detail some specific information such as fast/slow flow, group size, decor... so you can see what is viable for your tank without guesswork.

Thank you so much I will have to look, odd question but can fish withstand a difference of one when it comes to pH because my waters pH runs around 7.4 almost all the time but most soft water fish require 6.5.

 

[Naughts]

Thank you so much I will have to look, odd question but can fish withstand a difference of one when it comes to pH because my waters pH runs around 7.4 almost all the time but most soft water fish require 6.5.

You're welcome

GH is the most important of these two parameters. The fish should tolerate the difference mentioned as long as the pH is stable (the high KH keeps it stable providing that you keep up with regular water changes and don't add anything to change the pH).

 

[Colin_T]

Thank you so much I will have to look, odd question but can fish withstand a difference of one when it comes to pH because my waters pH runs around 7.4 almost all the time but most soft water fish require 6.5.

Most captive bred fishes will be fine with a pH of 7.4.

If you get wild caught fishes from the Amazon, you will want to lower the pH of the tap water before using it in the aquarium. Fortunately, there aren't that many wild caught fishes sold in shops. They cost more and will have a label saying "wild caught" next to their name on the tank.

 

[oceanArnold]

I wanted to update everyone that helped me and brainstormed ideas of what it could be. It did turn out to be my GH, which was 3, my water was too soft for live bearing fish. This did explain why my loaches are healthy and happy. All of my live - bearers have been brought back to my local fish store and exchanged for some more loaches and a few tetras (the tetras being only for movement). Thank you all.

 

[Fishfunn]

I wanted to update everyone that helped me and brainstormed ideas of what it could be. It did turn out to be my GH, which was 3, my water was too soft for live bearing fish. This did explain why my loaches are healthy and happy. All of my live - bearers have been brought back to my local fish store and exchanged for some more loaches and a few tetras (the tetras being only for movement). Thank you all.

Many replies here asked for the water parameters, and it is very important to match the parameters to the fish and plants if you want them to be healthy and thrive. I am glad you figured it out.