Random new guppy death!!

[djohm23]

In an established tank, when everything's running as it should and you're wanting a glorious display of plant life, then extra fertilisers play their part.
HOWEVER...

In this instance, you're wanting your plants to eat up the toxic waste produced by the fish, so don't spoil them by giving them 'extra' fertilisers.
Just leave them to feed off that waste and grow.

Many of us have almost self-sufficient little ecosystems, were practically all of the waste is taken up by either plants, or/and snails and shrimp.
Sometimes, it works so well that there aren't enough animals making enough waste for the plants to feed on and they need a boost. That's when the extra fertilisers come into their own.

Unfortunately for me my plants have been a little too effective in their duties and are a little starved for nitrogen now. So I've been doing water changes less often and the plants are getting healthier but I do wonder if I should put some fertilizers in there. It's surprising that they can clean out a bio load from six tetras and 8 danios among the multitude of snails that keep materializing out of thin air lol

 

[Myraan]

Unless you feel you need the plants doing well for beauty's sake, surely slowly growing plants will mean less trimming?

 

[djohm23]

I've got five tanks going, I need all the plants I can grow LOL. Now the guppy grass on the other hand has no problem getting wildly out of control. I can't get duckweed to survive in my tanks for some reason.

 

[Bettaguy08]

What does ammonia N/A mean? Not available? An ammonia spike can be a killer. Get an API test kit & test ammonia levels. Meanwhile do 75% water changes twice a day.

I just got ammonia test strips today and the test showed 0, I tested twice in fact. Now I 100% know it couldn’t have been the water and it was the fish that I got was the problem.

 

[Bettaguy08]

Every single fish I have ever gotten from PetSmart has died within a week of obtaining it. At first, I thought it was me or my tank, so I had a specialist come and test. My tank was perfect. Then I started reading the horror stories on FB and other places. PetSmart is a terrible place for fish, as far.as I am concerned. Their suppliers are horrid, living conditions are below recommended, and tbh, on the verge of abuse if you ask me.

I recommend finding some place else to purchase fish. Check your area for small pet stores, maybe even find yourself a small fish breeder. An always do research on the place first.

I know a small aquarium store that’s actually really close to where I live so I’m probably going there to get fish from now and on.

 

[Bettaguy08]

Assuming you floated the new ones and introduced your tank water slowly. My experience has been that fish just sometimes die from the transition. Might have been stressed already in the store.
Also, I often notice that new fish will behave erratically in the new environment for a couple of days while they calm down and begin to feel safe.
One last thing:. I have gotten panicky in the past and added things/done things just hoping they would work etc. If your water is right (and it seems like it is), I would do nothing and see what happens.
Also, your fish look good to me and your tank is pretty

Thanks

 

[itiwhetu]

Unfortunately for me my plants have been a little too effective in their duties and are a little starved for nitrogen now. So I've been doing water changes less often and the plants are getting healthier but I do wonder if I should put some fertilizers in there. It's surprising that they can clean out a bio load from six tetras and 8 danios among the multitude of snails that keep materializing out of thin air lol

That is what they do, get the balance right no ferts needed. Why does that surprise you, nature is a wonderful thing we don't need to mess with it. 25% water changes are the key to a balanced aquarium. Thats right I am no longer allowed to mention 25% water changes.

 

[djohm23]

That is what they do, get the balance right no ferts needed. Why does that surprise you, nature is a wonderful thing we don't need to mess with it. 25% water changes are the key to a balanced aquarium. Thats right I am no longer allowed to mention 25% water changes.

Why can't you mention 25%? That's all I ever do for all of my tanks. They are pretty heavily planted though and I'm sure that makes a difference.

 

[Guest14017]

Why can't you mention 25%? That's all I ever do for all of my tanks. They are pretty heavily planted though and I'm sure that makes a difference.

Some members say that 25% changes are not enough. And for some, they truly aren't enough. Stocking problems and filtration problems and etc etc can make 25% changes not enough for some.

I keep a lone goldfish and though my nitrate is never over 5 ppm or so, I do a 90% change every week on his tank. Goldfish produce growth inhibiting hormones and though these don't particularly harm the fish - they'll result in the fish being permanently tiny... which isn't ideal. Large water changes are necessary to remove these.

With small tropicals in a well established system - I can see 25% being enough. But you can't really say that this amount is adequate for everyone. In my opinion, enough water changes to keep water quality good and fish healthy is what everyone should shoot for - regardless of what percentage that is

 

[FishkeeperDiscoWostit]

Fish swimming at the top is often an indication of poorly filtered water or maybe a disease. It is always best to get fish from breeders if possible, but if you can't, then research the quality of shops nearby. It is always normal to lose or a fish or two at the beginning but having several displaying symptoms could be an indication of something else. I have heard mixed reviews about PetSmart so maybe go somewhere else in the future?