Platy Buoyancy Problem..and Lost A Neon Tetra

[sarahmom22]

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Tank size: 40 gal
pH:8.0
ammonia: don't know
nitrite:5.0
nitrate: 20-40
kH:don't know
gH: hardness? 240
tank temp:76

Fish Symptoms (include full description including lesion, color, location, fish behavior): Well, lost a Neon, no signs of ICK. Fish had separated itself from the group for a couple of days. Now a platy is kind of floating sideways, but then will go and swim again, especially after being poked by other fish.

Volume and Frequency of water changes: 25% every other day right now, fairly new tank, been up about a month

Chemical Additives or Media in your tank: Just dechlorinator (Aqua plus) and Cycle. Fluval 305 filter with carbon, and the white things...and a sponge...sorry, don't kknow the technical stuff, and ammonia filter

Tank inhabitants: 2 gourami's, 3 male guppies, 3 orange and black platy's, NOW 6 neon tetras

Recent additions to your tank (living or decoration): 10 Neon tetras, 3 eaten by a lobster that was taken back to the LFS, and 2 sharks were added, but also returned to LFS.

Exposure to chemicals:None but what was mentioned above

Digital photo (include if possible):

 

[sarahmom22]

Now another Neon has separated itself...I'm guessing I'll lose it by morning as well

 

[sarahmom22]

Platy still sometimes floating upside down...can't someone give me some advice?

 

[TerraDreamer]

Your nitrite is high. Is there any way you can get your hands on an ammonia test kit? It looks like poor water quality to me.

 

[WILDER]

You are cycling a tank so some fish won't make it, they have to go through the ammonia and nitrite process like living in a toilet.
Added to many fish too soon, and neon tetra should never of been put in a cycling tank.

 

[sarahmom22]

How long will the cycling process take? I didn't know before joining this board that it was even possible to cycle a tank without fish, my LFS didn't even tell me that it was possible. Had I known I would have done it that way. Unfortunately, now I'm stuck doing it this way.

 

[WILDER]

Not sure without ammonia reading, but it looks well on its way, about a week and half.
Go and look at the pinned topics alot of information over there.