Hello, I just started with a 29 gallon tank a little over 6 weeks ago. I’ve got 5 neon tetras and 3 nerite snails. The tank is the basic 29 gallon tank that PetCo sells with the Aqueon filter and heater. My decorations are all fake, no living plants just a fake log with holes and some fake plants, etc. My kids and I really enjoy the fish and I’m here to get advice and prevent some of the mistakes I’m already making. Ha.
Newbie: KH and GH and Tetras
- Thread starter MotoFinn
- Start date
Welcome to TFF. 
No actual mistakes stand out, but it would be helpful to know if you cycled the tank before adding fish, and how you did if you did. If "cycle" is unknown to you, don't fret, this is common with new aquarium keepers, and we can explain this.
The fish in the picture are Glo Tetras, not Neons; keep that in mind as it will save confusion if further questions are asked.
Do you have a test kit(s) for pH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate?
No actual mistakes stand out, but it would be helpful to know if you cycled the tank before adding fish, and how you did if you did. If "cycle" is unknown to you, don't fret, this is common with new aquarium keepers, and we can explain this.
The fish in the picture are Glo Tetras, not Neons; keep that in mind as it will save confusion if further questions are asked.
Do you have a test kit(s) for pH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate?
Oblio
Fish Herder
Welcome Moto!
I love my Glofish (Genetically modified Black Skirt aka Black Widow Tetras), they share a tank with Buenos Aries Tetras and Corys.
www.seriouslyfish.com
I love my Glofish (Genetically modified Black Skirt aka Black Widow Tetras), they share a tank with Buenos Aries Tetras and Corys.
Gymnocorymbus ternetzi – Black Widow Tetra — Seriously Fish
www.seriouslyfish.com
Oblio
Fish Herder
If your tank is cycled, I would pick up a few more Tetras as they are shoaling fish and do better in groups. All my Tetras and and Corys love an occasional frozen brine shrimp dinner. Defrost a small amount in tank water, place in tank with a turkey baster (or just dump it in) and watch the feast.
Thanks, yes you are right they are Glos. That was the groups first test and you all passed! The kids and wife wanted brightly colored fish… I just wanted fish, especially Cory Catfish. More to come on their demise, ha.Welcome to TFF.
No actual mistakes stand out, but it would be helpful to know if you cycled the tank before adding fish, and how you did if you did. If "cycle" is unknown to you, don't fret, this is common with new aquarium keepers, and we can explain this.
The fish in the picture are Glo Tetras, not Neons; keep that in mind as it will save confusion if further questions are asked.
Do you have a test kit(s) for pH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate?
On the advice of the store clerk I didn’t introduce any fish for 2 weeks. I put a small amount of fish food in early on and then just let the tank sit while on for 2 weeks straight. We got the tank tested after those two weeks by PetCo and they said it was ok to add fish, so we started with 3 Glos and 3 nerite snails.
I started making a log on December 12th for the water readings. After the two weeks of fish and snails I changed 5 gallons of water out using a syphon. And added 5 more gallons of tap water but not before I added Stress Coat to the tap water.
My tank has been running these numbers using API testing strips:
1) Ammonia: 0 to 0.5
2) NO2 & NO3: 0 ppm
3) pH: Started at 8.5 but as of today its a 7.5 ppm
4) KH: Its been consistently 240 (more to come on that)
5) GH: Its been consistently 60
I first introduced 3 Glo Tetras and 3 Nerite snails. Dec 18th I added 2 more Glos and 2 Cory's. The next day the Cory's were dead. The Tetra's seemed to thrive.
I wanted to try to fix my KH level so at my last water change I added 3.5 gallons of distilled water on the 30th of December. I checked the water again an hour later and the KH was 180 but my GH was 30. I noticed my Pink Glo looking weak and getting caught between the filter waterfall and the back of the tank so I added a half-gallon of tap water. (numbers went to KH 180 and GH 60) I added API stress coat each time I added water. Today, my Pink Glo looks lethargic and keeps floating towards the filter intake.
I change my water every week to two (I waited 2 weeks this time to see if the water clarity would clear up a bit).
I feed the fish a pinch of food every 2 days.
So, I do have a multitude of issues.
1) 1 Glo likely going to die today and another one is starting to exhibit signs of weakness as well.
2) Killed 2 Cory's within 12 hours of them being in the tank. One was super active when we got them.
3) Tank is consistently slightly cloudy.
After all the water adjustments a day (Today) later I'm back at my normal readings:
Ammonia: 0.5
No2 and No3: 0
pH: 7.5
KH: 240
GH: 60
Thanks,
Aaron
Byron, I just answered that in my current post. I was going to go into all of it at the beginning but then realized I was just supposed to be "introducing" myself
So I put in some basic info. The last post should clarify the title now.Thanks,
AA-Ron
Where do you get frozen brine? Also, is that more a treat or a necessary supplement to their diets?
OK, let's get to the issues. First, the tank has not been cycled. There are a couple of good posts at the top of the "Cycle Your Tank" forum section, please have a read, they explain cycling and why. Unfortunately, the advice the store gave was totally wrong. We all have learned that this is very common, especially from chain pet stores. Going forward, if you do need to ask their advice on anything, keep in mind it is likely going to be inaccurate; I am not exaggerating here, other members will say the same--don't rely on advice from store people unless you know they have the knowledge. Most do not; they sell fish, and if yours die, you will buy more. And eventually they will live, as the process of fish in and dying itself "cycles" over time.
Do not attempt changes to the parameters. Parameters are GH, KH, pH and temperature--obviously the temp you can control, but the other three are closely connected and whatever they are in the source (tap) water is where they will tend to stay in the tank. The pH can lower, depending upon the other two and the biological system. I won't go into all this now, but the numbers you give are fine for the fish intended, so leave well enough alone.
The posts on cycling will tell you that with fish present, you need to have ammonia and nitrite at zero every day, and if either rises, do a substantial water change. A volume of 60-70% of the tank is OK.
There is nothing you can do to help the fish except the water changes, other than removing them obviously--will the store take back those still alive? Using Seachem's Prime as the water conditioner will help, as this detoxifies ammonia, nitrite and nitrate but only for about 36 hours, and these if present will still show in tests whether they are toxic or not.
Don't buy any new fish until this is resolved.
Do not attempt changes to the parameters. Parameters are GH, KH, pH and temperature--obviously the temp you can control, but the other three are closely connected and whatever they are in the source (tap) water is where they will tend to stay in the tank. The pH can lower, depending upon the other two and the biological system. I won't go into all this now, but the numbers you give are fine for the fish intended, so leave well enough alone.
The posts on cycling will tell you that with fish present, you need to have ammonia and nitrite at zero every day, and if either rises, do a substantial water change. A volume of 60-70% of the tank is OK.
There is nothing you can do to help the fish except the water changes, other than removing them obviously--will the store take back those still alive? Using Seachem's Prime as the water conditioner will help, as this detoxifies ammonia, nitrite and nitrate but only for about 36 hours, and these if present will still show in tests whether they are toxic or not.
Don't buy any new fish until this is resolved.
Oblio
Fish Herder
A treat from the LFS. A large slab was about $6 as I recall. A piece thawed in tank water about half the size of a dime feeds the entire tank of 24 fish. I should have enough for several months.
Ok I’m confused. I read a couple post including the one from 2013 and although I didn’t see any with fish that were already in the tank…. My numbers appear to be 0 in NO and 0-0.5 for Ammonia. I’ve had fish in the tank for over a month and my Ammonia levels seem to be good. What am I missing? What are you suggesting I do to the tank? I’m assuming nothing except keep changing out 5 gallons of the 29 gallon tank water every 1 to 2 weeks with just tap water and of course using the de-chlorinator.
Oblio
Fish Herder
If Ammonia is not 0, then the levels are not good. Do a 50% - 75% daily until ammonia (and nitrate) are 0%. Clean your gravel during these changes to remove any organic debris (uneaten food, fish waste). Doing this will not hurt your fish.
Last edited:
You state you are losing fish, another you expect to die today, and there must be a reason. The most likely is the tank is not cycled. Ammonia is present, so that supports this conclusion. The daily water change of 60-70% of the tank volume is to prevent ammonia poisoning of the fish. Nitrite will be the next thing to show up, it is just as deadly. Daily water changes, using Prime if possible, until ammonia and nitrite are back to zero.
Oblio posted as I have been typing...same advice, and I agree to include good substrate cleaning at the water changes.
To help, here is a link to the Cycle section; the first couple of posts are "pinned" because they are explanations.
www.fishforums.net
Oblio posted as I have been typing...same advice, and I agree to include good substrate cleaning at the water changes.
To help, here is a link to the Cycle section; the first couple of posts are "pinned" because they are explanations.
Cycle your Tank
Cycling a tank is vital to keeping your fish alive. This section is where you can read about cycling (the nitrogen cycle) and ask questions about how to do it properly.
www.fishforums.net
Hello! Nice to meet you! I’m also new here!
It’s 5am where I am and I haven’t slept yet (I have COVID and sleep all day lol) and definitely thought the dirigible in the lower right was a corn cob. I need sleep, y’all.
Your tank looks great!
It’s 5am where I am and I haven’t slept yet (I have COVID and sleep all day lol) and definitely thought the dirigible in the lower right was a corn cob. I need sleep, y’all.
Your tank looks great!
H! Too funny. Yeah its a "sunken" sub. My son picked it out and naturally my daughter chose the Princess Castle.
Similar threads
Most reactions
-
380 -
326 -
215 -
214 -
204 -
168 -
147 -
139 -
138 -
123 -
118 -
98 -
95 -
86 -
F
84