Water change

[Ive]

Hello!
First of all let me tell you what a great forum is this! I read a lot of post and noted how quickly someone reply with help.

My 20 g tank is two weeks old from set up. Used Nitromax bacteria.
Ammonia, nitrites and nitrates always are 0.
Ph 8.0 (not caused by the gravel)
KH 4 dKH
GH 8 dKH
Temp 28-30 C
Never gravel cleaning or water changing
plastic ornaments

Now I have 2 Corys, 3 Silvertip Tetras, 2 Painted Tetras and 1 White Skirt Tetra that I bought thinking it was an "unpainted Tetra???" (it has a little fin between the dorsal and the tail that the painted doesn't).
This one keeps 1/4 of the tank as its territory chasing only the Painted Tetras that try to enter it.

I know that I did a wrong thing introducing fishes in an uncycled tank and didn't know that those Tetras were painted ) But I have to keep going with it.

I have three problems:
1. One of my Painted Tetras has ich and a fin little ripped. It is eating very well and is very active.
2. One of the Silvertip Tetras, from the first day shy, is now swiming loosing the balance, always hiding and is not eating well. I think that maybe it was already sick when I bought it. I think it will die.
3. I don't know if I have to vac the gravel and change the water yet.

The other fishes look healthy, active and eating well.

Advice, please!

 

[Alien Anna]

If your tank was not cycled when you added the fish it is cycling now. What was the ammonia and nitrite readings as of this morning?

If you are still getting zero readings on ammonia and nitrite I suggest you get another test kit (check the expiry date on the test you've got). It is simply not possible to add fish to an un-cycled tank and continue to get zero readings forever!

Nitromax bacteria won't instantly cycle your tank because nothing can - not even this new scientific bacterial culture product, because the bacteria have to actually grow and colonise your filter and gravel. Nothing can grow instantaneously.

Assuming your tank still isn't cycled, and probably won't be for another 2 months at least, I recommend you do daily 10-15% water changes and keep a close eye on your fish.

Next time, please consider fishless cycling!

 

[Ive]

Thanks for your reply.

If you are still getting zero readings on ammonia and nitrite I suggest you get another test kit (check the expiry date on the test you've got).

I checked ammonia and nitrate reagents with water from my backyard, and both gave positive reaction. I feel secure know.

If your tank was not cycled when you added the fish it is cycling now. What was the ammonia and nitrite readings as of this morning?

Today my ammonia, nitrites and nitrates readings remains at zero.

Today I use Ick Out on my tank after eliminating the carbon from the filter cartridge.

I will vac the gravel and change water once finished the ick treatment.

The silvertip tetra died.

 

[Alien Anna]

I checked ammonia and nitrate reagents with water from my backyard, and both gave positive reaction. I feel secure know.

I'm sorry about your fish.

I'm still concerned that your tank is not cycled yet - I can't see how it can be since bacteria take time to colonise gravel and filters. You checked for ammonia and nitrAte (NO3-) with your test kits, what about nitIte (NO2-) ? It is nitrIte you are most likely to find in your tank at this stage, 2 weeks after set-up. It is quite possible that the nitrite levels in your tank are what's killing your fish.

 

[Ive]

Helo Anna!
Here is my feedback:

You checked for ammonia and nitrAte (NO3-) with your test kits, what about nitIte (NO2-) ? It is nitrIte you are most likely to find in your tank at this stage, 2 weeks after set-up. It is quite possible that the nitrite levels in your tank are what's killing your fish.

I didn't checked nitrite reagent with my backyard (pos for amm. and nitrate) water.
But, I did what I said: Finished the ick treatment, gravel vac and water change. And replaced the carbon on the filter (it inactivate the ick medication).

No more ick on the painted tetra. Except the dead silvertip tetra, all the other fishes are doing very well. They look more lively now.

I think that you are right thinking that the culprit was the nitrite. Maybe the kit read the nitrites too low.

Thanks for your support!

 

[Alien Anna]

Ive, are you getting confused between nitrate (with an 'A') and nitrite (with an 'I')? Because you keep saying you haven't tested for nitrite, but then you say "Maybe the kit read the nitrite to low". Have you tested for nitrite (with an 'i') ?

 

[Ive]

Ammonia, nitrites and nitrates always are 0.
I checked ammonia and nitrate reagents with water from my backyard, and both gave positive reaction. I feel secure know.

Yes. I tested the tank for amm, nitrite and nitrates and always give 0 readings. I only checked the effectiveness of amm and nitrates reagents.

Anyway, I will keep a good tank maintenance (water changing) to avoid any future problem.

Thanks for your attention, Anna!