my fish are dying

[carlgraham]

i purchased a new tank last week and left the filter on for the week i was told i had to when i came to put my fish in a bought 4 neon tetras and four tiger barbs i woke this morning to find 3 tiger barbs dead and all the tetras were fine then as the course of the day has progressed all my fish are dying with 1 of my tetras dead and one trying to swim but just swimming side ways and then falling to the bottom of the tank i have had my water checked by 2 diffrent shops and my heating settin is on 26-28 degrees so wot else could be the problem could i of bought some infected fish or is it something im doing the man in the shop also told me to feed them once a day and in th eleaflets and on the box of fish food it says 2 times a day im cinfused and dont liek seeing my fish suffer please reply as soon as possible

 

[Phantom Thief]

Did you use water conditioners?

Some water companies now use chloramines, which do not evaporate as easily as chlorine does. That will kill your fish.

Make sure that your tank's temperature is REALLY 26-28 centigrade. Sometimes if the heater malfunctions your tank may get way too hot for fish.

read this and make sure you do this http/fish.orbust.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=10099 It is essential to your fish's health.

And also, welcome to the fish forums

Best of luck
P.T.

 

[FishDan]

Your post doesn't make it clear, but it sounds like you ran your filter for a week and then added fish. Is that right? If so it sounds like your tank is not cycled and that could be killing your fish. I may be mistaken though, as normally the neons would be the first ones to go.

\Dan

 

[bgraber]

Yeah, you have to "cycle" the tank for a few weeks Prior to adding any fish.. Otherwise Ammonia builds up and kills them.. Poor guys.

 

[bigfish]

What did the shops that tested your water say? did they give out readings of ammonia, nitrite as both of these do hit high levels during the cycling period i had to learn the hard way and watched several fish pass away in a matter of days!!!

But i learnt my lesson!!!