Water Test Results after introducing fish

[N4T4SH45]

We have now introduced our fish to the new aquarium.... however when going to the shop and we told the assistant what we wanted and explained that it was a new tank etc, she said that will be fine to start you off, just dont introduce anymore fish into the tank for another week, this is what we bought...

5 neon tetras
5 glowlight tetras
6 balloon mollies
1 silver shark

However, when going into another branch of the same store, they told us we were sold too many and should have started with just 5 neons!! Have we overstocked our tank?

The fish seem fine at the moment and this is their 5th day in the new tank. We did a water change last evening and these are the results.

PH = 7.5
High PH = 8.2
Nitrite = 0.5 (was 0.25 before water change and 0 before introducing fish)
Nitrate = 10 - 20 (read in the water test booklet that a level of 40ppm (mg/l) or less is ok, is this right?)
Ammonia = 0.5 (was 0.25 before water change)

Could you let me know if these levels are ok?

This is the tank we have and it holds 126 litres of water.

http/www.theaquariumshop.co.uk/ishop/1029/shopscr45.html

 

[sarahellen10]

its the same size as my tank, i would say that was a few too many for your first addition of fish. when i added myne about 4weeks ago i started with 8fish then went back a week later for some more. i would advise to do water changes every other day. i'm having some trouble at the moment with nitrite levels so would keep and eye on that too.
i also have some silver sharks 2 infact and was told to return them as they grow too big, but i'm not sure on this as my lfs said they would be fine in the tank i have.
Good luck with them they should be fine with close monitoring of water levels!

 

[sarahellen10]

its the same size as my tank, i would say that was a few too many for your first addition of fish. when i added myne about 4weeks ago i started with 8fish then went back a week later for some more. i would advise to do water changes every other day. i'm having some trouble at the moment with nitrite levels so would keep and eye on that too.
i also have some silver sharks 2 infact and was told to return them as they grow too big, but i'm not sure on this as my lfs said they would be fine in the tank i have.
Good luck with them they should be fine with close monitoring of water levels!

[snapback]884001[/snapback]​

sorry take that back its bigger than myne! lol

 

[Aqua Andy]

Hi,

I like the tank. I would like one of those.

The two levels to worry about most initially are ammonia and nitrite. They ideally should be 0. Your levels are quite high so I would suggest quite a large water change 30-40% making sure to add de-chlorinator to the new water before adding it and that the temperature of the replacement water is as close as possible to the water already in the tank. This should alleviate as much potential stress to the fish. Check the water chemistry an hour or so after.

You will need to check your water chemistry every day and probably need to carry out daily water changes.

Your nitrate level is currently OK. It will start to increase when the ammonia and nitrite levels lower as it is a product of the chemical reaction of the beneficial bacteria of the nitrogen cycle that process nitrite. The nitrate level should be kept low as a consequence of the regular water changes but eventually this should be the only by-product that you should have to carry out a water change to remove. Usually a water change of 10-15% a week.

I didn't do a cycle with fish myself but that does seem quite a few fish to start off with. If your water chemistry doesn't improve sufficiently then you might have to remove some from the tank temporarily (give them back to the lfs or get a friend to look after them for you).

The shark may get to big for that tank but I'm sure someone else will tell you if this is the case.

I hope this helps and good luck.

With patience and perseverance you should be fine.


Andy