Lost some Penguin Tetras (original title 'lost some cardinal penguins')

[Bruce Leyland-Jones]

One question...are you using a water conditioner?

 

[Colin_T]

don't worry about it, the fish are improving. we will assume they got spooked by something and are settling down now

 

[imw]

One question...are you using a water conditioner?

Yes, prime.

ATB

 

[imw]

Well, got it working (at last)

Taken just now - poor quality - sorry.

 

[imw]

Fish still keeling over

I have no idea what is going on - just done 50% water change - will continue to monitor.

 

[Bruce Leyland-Jones]

Is that cloudy water, or an artefact of the photography?
I'll assume that's 'proper' aquarium-standard sand, so tell us about that wood, please.

 

[imw]

Is that cloudy water, or an artefact of the photography?
I'll assume that's 'proper' aquarium-standard sand, so tell us about that wood, please.

Hi,

Play sand (non toxic) washed very well. Not sure on wood type, purchased from LFS - so assumed OK.

Water does seem cloudy - but may be trick of light - I have tank against wall which has a very light green wall paper, if I look from top down it is clear. I do have some biofilm but do not think that this is an issue.

Remaining fish (for the moment seem to be acting normally fingers and everything else crossed. Well crossing fingers failed - lost another one.

 

[Slaphppy7]

Be cautious when you assert that you've been keeping fish in the past and are yet unable to properly identify your fish...
Adding old/mature filter material does not a cycled tank make.
Your tank was not and is not cycled and this will be why your fish are dying.
You assume incorrectly and, given the result of your decisions and lack of basic awareness, I personally find that emoji irritating...or are you simply someone who is trolling the Forum?

Let's keep the discussion friendly and civil, please.

 

[Bruce Leyland-Jones]

Play sand (non toxic) washed very well. Not sure on wood type, purchased from LFS - so assumed OK.

I'd hoped as much.

Water does seem cloudy - but may be trick of light - I have tank against wall which has a very light green wall paper, if I look from top down it is clear. I do have some biofilm but do not think that this is an issue.

I was asking because...
A green cloudiness indicates algae in the water. Rarely causes an issue, if ever.
A 'milky' cloudiness suggests a bacterial bloom. This would be common in a tank of your age and may, or may not, be an issue. Usually, such things resolve themselves.

 

[imw]

another one is struggling (swimming in a jerky fashion)- done everything I can think of -

 

[Slaphppy7]

another one is struggling (swimming in a jerky fashion)- done everything I can think of -

Are you using a liquid test kit?

 

[imw]

Are you using a liquid test kit?

API master test kit - my tests match LFS.

 

[Slaphppy7]

How many fish have died, and how many are left?

What is the tank temp, currently?

Any other fish in the tank?

 

[imw]

How many fish have died, and how many are left?

What is the tank temp, currently?

Any other fish in the t

How many fish have died, and how many are left?

What is the tank temp, currently?

Any other fish in the tank?

I think 8 have gone from a shoal of 12 - temp is 25c

 

[Slaphppy7]

I must ask, are you sure you are performing the water tests correctly?....see below for simplified instructions for each test.
Regarding the nitrAte test, it is imperative that you shake the 2nd bottle of reagent like mad before adding to the TT....shake hard for several minutes, bang the bottle on a desk, shake upside down, and shake some more....if you do not shake the 2nd bottle enough, you'll get false readings for nitrAte (usually 0)

AMMONIA:
8 DROPS FROM BOTTLE 1, 8 DROPS FROM BOTTLE 2, SHAKE 5 SECONDS, WAIT 5 MINUTES.

NITRATE:
10 DROPS FROM BOTTLE 1, INVERT TO MIX, SHAKE VIGOROUSLY SHAKE BOTTLE 2, 30 SECONDS OR MORE, 10 DROPS FROM BOTTLE 2, SHAKE HARD FOR 1 MINUTE, WAIT 5 MINUTES.

PH:
3 DROPS, INVERT TO MIX, RESULTS ARE IMMEDIATE.

NITRITE:
5 DROPS, SHAKE 5 SECONDS, WAIT 5 MINUTES.

HIGH PH:
5 DROPS, INVERT TO MIX, RESULTS ARE IMMEDIATE.