How Do I Start Over

[andyboy!!]

Hi everyone

In another post I described how most of my fish were dying eratically (headed 'fish are dying as i type' in the emergency section).

I think it was a problem with the original filter, sometimes not pumping properly. I took my water for a test and the ammonia was really high. I purchased a new filter, did a water change and added it along with my old filter. Two hours later they all started to die. I also may have been over feeding slightly, there was also some plants losing leaves pretty rapidly. To top it off, the top of my thermometer smashed (although I don't think this expsoed any of the mercury - if thats's what's in it). It could have been a combination of all these things. I've since done another water change.

Where I am now is that all my fish are either already dead or will be shortly. I have my new filter (15Watts, 700 litres\hr) in with my old filter (5 watts). I've tried adding old media to the new but this cuts down the flow outwards and makes it vibrate really loudly (it's next to my bed). I will purchase a new thermometer.

What's the best way to start over? I usually keep community fish but was looking to just have barbs (tiger, green and albino - or some combination) along with some halequin rasboras maybe (although I may just have barbs). Does anyone else keep a tank like this?

I also have part black part natural substrate (small pebbles) but was thinking of going for just black. I also want it to be fairly densely planted at the back (had trouble with plants going brown and not growing recently, maybe related to water - light on for 12hrs\day). There are no plants in at the minute.

Is it best to drain the tank (keeping media in some tank water)? Do I need to cycle again? Can you add tigers as the first fish? Is there anything else I need to do?

My tank is 2x1x1 feet (58 litres). My filter is probably oversized for the tank?

Please can someone offer advice and offer as much info as you can. I've been keeping the tank for just over a year now and it's been up and down regarding results but I'm determined to keep going (just about). I do clean the tank regulaly and properly as far as I am aware.

Thanks for reading!
Andy.

 

[martyn21uk]

If I was you after all you've just been through, I would be tempted to just start completely from scratch. I'm sure a lot of people will disagree with me but as you have so many posibilities for why your tanks gone wrong, I think its better in the long run to start it all again. Assuming that you lose the last few remaining fish, I would empty out the tank completely, not worry about the media, let it all dry out. Give your tank a 'good' scrub out, change your substrate to how you want it. Re-fill your tank and start a fishless cycle from scratch.

 

[dwarfgourami]

The tank is actually on the small side for tiger barbs, being the boisterous things they are they need plenty of room to spread their activity. You might get away with pentazona barbs, being a little smaller and quite a bit quieter, but I'm not sure you'd have room for both those and the harlequins- I would go for a school of either and maybe some otos when the tank is mature again.

 

[andyboy!!]

Yes, I think I would just go for the barbs. How many of these could I get in?

Does anyone else have an opinion of what I should do (trying to get as much info as possible).

Cheers
Andy.

 

[rdd1952]

I think your tank is too small for tiger barbs. They are very active fish and need lots of swimming room.

As for the filter, you tank was never cycled, thus the high levels of ammonia and dying fish. So yes, you do need to cycle again. Transfering media from the old filter really won't do much good since it wasn't cycled anyway. I would just run both filters together for a couple weeks and then take out the smaller one. The one that has a rating of 700 l/hr may even be too strong for your tank unless it has a way to adjust the flow. Before you add any fish back, I would suggest doing a fishless cycle (see link in my signature). If you do decide to add fish back without cycling first, only add about 3 or 4 and feed sparingly, maybe every other day so the ammonia levels won't climb too fast. You also need to buy a good liquid master test kit so you can test your water without having to take it to the store. During cycling, ammonia and nitrite need tobe tested at least once per day and preferably twice, morning and night. Do partial water changes as needed to keep the levels below .5 ppm.