ca.hokie
New Member
Hello all- I need help. I feel like I am ready to quit.
I hate that this is my first post.
My setup seems pretty simple, 40 gal tank, hang over the sdie filter, two airstones and has been up since September. I cycled the tank before adding fish and since the addition of the fish, I have had fish die pretty much every couple of weeks. Everytime I think I have this locked and stable, another fish dies. I have also had some happy moments like having guppy fish fry born (they are now in a separate tank growing up fine). I continue to watch countless videos from the aquarium co-op, Girl Talks Fish, KGTropicals, Acquapros and more. I am doing 30% water changes every 2.5 weeks, monitoring my parameters every 2 days with my API kit, keeping the food portions in check, changed my hang filter cartridge monthly, and added fish fiber to catch more waste. In the tank I have:
5 guppies
3 corydoras
2 glass catfish
5 caridnaal tetras
1 white cloud (his partner died)
3 rummy nose
6 cherry shrimp
several live plants
2+ snails (well, is there ever just two?)
Here are today's parameters. Water temp at 74.7 degrees F. The pH is running high today and I have added some pH reducer this evening. Nitrates are creeping up so 20-30% water change coming again this weekend. Amonia and Nitrites look good. Tank had some ich last year (November), but kicked up the heat and added salt and the ich went away in about 10-12 days.
It just feels like I am doing something wrong fundamentally. There are a few fish that have been with me since September, but it seems like any new fish has a shelf life of 4 weeks before it shows signs of strange behavior and then dies. I am so frustrated because I am really trying to educate myself and do things the right way.
I am open to anything, I am desparate...please help.
I hate that this is my first post.
My setup seems pretty simple, 40 gal tank, hang over the sdie filter, two airstones and has been up since September. I cycled the tank before adding fish and since the addition of the fish, I have had fish die pretty much every couple of weeks. Everytime I think I have this locked and stable, another fish dies. I have also had some happy moments like having guppy fish fry born (they are now in a separate tank growing up fine). I continue to watch countless videos from the aquarium co-op, Girl Talks Fish, KGTropicals, Acquapros and more. I am doing 30% water changes every 2.5 weeks, monitoring my parameters every 2 days with my API kit, keeping the food portions in check, changed my hang filter cartridge monthly, and added fish fiber to catch more waste. In the tank I have:
5 guppies
3 corydoras
2 glass catfish
5 caridnaal tetras
1 white cloud (his partner died)
3 rummy nose
6 cherry shrimp
several live plants
2+ snails (well, is there ever just two?)
Here are today's parameters. Water temp at 74.7 degrees F. The pH is running high today and I have added some pH reducer this evening. Nitrates are creeping up so 20-30% water change coming again this weekend. Amonia and Nitrites look good. Tank had some ich last year (November), but kicked up the heat and added salt and the ich went away in about 10-12 days.
It just feels like I am doing something wrong fundamentally. There are a few fish that have been with me since September, but it seems like any new fish has a shelf life of 4 weeks before it shows signs of strange behavior and then dies. I am so frustrated because I am really trying to educate myself and do things the right way.
I am open to anything, I am desparate...please help.