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Problems cycling tank
I started with three very friendly goldfish and now I've got two left
that don't look good at all. I thought adding plants to the tank while it cycled made it more stable. What's going on??? Setup is 20 gallon tall with 1 watt/gallon light, and a whisper filter. The plants a moneywort, carolina wort, sagitarius, amazon sword and walmart bulbs (one of which has sprouted after 1 week) The tank has been running for almost three weeks. I'm planning on testing pH and nitrates tomorrow to see what's going on. Should I remove the plants? I also have an undergravel filter powered by a powerhead that I can run. Should I get this running? Thanks Heather |
Problems cycling tank
"Heather" wrote in message om... I started with three very friendly goldfish and now I've got two left that don't look good at all. I thought adding plants to the tank while it cycled made it more stable. What's going on??? Setup is 20 gallon tall with 1 watt/gallon light, and a whisper filter. The plants a moneywort, carolina wort, sagitarius, amazon sword and walmart bulbs (one of which has sprouted after 1 week) The tank has been running for almost three weeks. I'm planning on testing pH and nitrates tomorrow to see what's going on. Should I remove the plants? I also have an undergravel filter powered by a powerhead that I can run. Should I get this running? First, your tank is borderline overstocked. Goldfish are notorius waste producers and not a good choice for cycling a tank. Your filtration is going to be inadequate, but I don't think a UG filter with goldfish is a good idea at all. A larger power filter with bio wheels would help tremendously. I would not remove the plants. I *would* get a test kit and start testing ASAP. Test kits are essential- we cannot know what is going on in your water without test results. Three weeks with no testing means the fish are suffering- you've already lost one. What has been your water changing schedule so far? The remaining fish will get permanent gill damage by living in ammonia laden water if you aren't changing frequently. -- Toni http://www.cearbhaill.com/aquarium.htm |
Problems cycling tank
"Heather" wrote in message om... I started with three very friendly goldfish and now I've got two left that don't look good at all. I thought adding plants to the tank while it cycled made it more stable. What's going on??? Setup is 20 gallon tall with 1 watt/gallon light, and a whisper filter. The plants a moneywort, carolina wort, sagitarius, amazon sword and walmart bulbs (one of which has sprouted after 1 week) The tank has been running for almost three weeks. I'm planning on testing pH and nitrates tomorrow to see what's going on. Should I remove the plants? No, plants use ammonia directly anlso use the nitrates. I also have an undergravel filter powered by a powerhead that I can run. Should I get this running? Yes, at this point it should help, can't hurt Let us know more... How long has the tank been setup? Are you doing water changes? Bob |
Problems cycling tank
Water was tested:
The nitrates and ammonia levels are 0ppm. The pH is at 7.28. I'm at a loss to understand what happened and very sad. These were such friendly fish. When I put my hands in the tank to move the plants around they were always right there swimming around my hands. I'm not thinking that they were too much for the bioload because they were only about the size of quarters. I had planned to later move them into our pond. I have not done a water change yet because I was waiting for the tank to finish cycling. I think when I head home tonight the two remaining fish will be dead. The only things that I can think of are that: 1) the fish were sick to begin with: I'm planning on calling the fish store this morning. However I didn't see any outward signs of illness and the store has an extremely good reputation. 2) somehow chemicals got in the tank: I can't think how this might be possible but I'm at a loss for another explaination. Now the question is what should I do now.... |
Problems cycling tank
"Heather" wrote in message
om... Water was tested: The nitrates and ammonia levels are 0ppm. The pH is at 7.28. I'm at a loss to understand what happened and very sad. These were such friendly fish. When I put my hands in the tank to move the plants around they were always right there swimming around my hands. I'm not thinking that they were too much for the bioload because they were only about the size of quarters. I had planned to later move them into our pond. I have not done a water change yet because I was waiting for the tank to finish cycling. I think when I head home tonight the two remaining fish will be dead. The only things that I can think of are that: 1) the fish were sick to begin with: I'm planning on calling the fish store this morning. However I didn't see any outward signs of illness and the store has an extremely good reputation. 2) somehow chemicals got in the tank: I can't think how this might be possible but I'm at a loss for another explaination. Now the question is what should I do now.... How long has your tank been set up? If I were you, I'd start doing water changes . . . this is important during the cycling process. Here is a link regarding cycling from a goldfish related site: http://www.kokosgoldfish.com/cycle.html Hope this helps! :) ~*~ Vosklady ~*~ |
Problems cycling tank
Maybe you are introducing chemicals when you stick your hand in the tank.
Do you use scented hand lotion or perfume? Chris On Wed, 08 Oct 2003 08:32:20 +0000, Heather wrote: Water was tested: The nitrates and ammonia levels are 0ppm. The pH is at 7.28. I'm at a loss to understand what happened and very sad. These were such friendly fish. When I put my hands in the tank to move the plants around they were always right there swimming around my hands. I'm not thinking that they were too much for the bioload because they were only about the size of quarters. I had planned to later move them into our pond. I have not done a water change yet because I was waiting for the tank to finish cycling. I think when I head home tonight the two remaining fish will be dead. The only things that I can think of are that: 1) the fish were sick to begin with: I'm planning on calling the fish store this morning. However I didn't see any outward signs of illness and the store has an extremely good reputation. 2) somehow chemicals got in the tank: I can't think how this might be possible but I'm at a loss for another explaination. Now the question is what should I do now.... |
Problems cycling tank
Buy some Coppersafe and put it in the tank. Have you taken a sample of
water to the pet store and gotten it tested? They do it for free and can tell you if you have high levels of chlorine. Do you use city water? Maybe research your water online and see if there is any evidence of other chemicals in it? I have high chlorine and copper in mine so I have to check my levels regularly. Hope I was of some help! "Heather" wrote in message om... Water was tested: The nitrates and ammonia levels are 0ppm. The pH is at 7.28. I'm at a loss to understand what happened and very sad. These were such friendly fish. When I put my hands in the tank to move the plants around they were always right there swimming around my hands. I'm not thinking that they were too much for the bioload because they were only about the size of quarters. I had planned to later move them into our pond. I have not done a water change yet because I was waiting for the tank to finish cycling. I think when I head home tonight the two remaining fish will be dead. The only things that I can think of are that: 1) the fish were sick to begin with: I'm planning on calling the fish store this morning. However I didn't see any outward signs of illness and the store has an extremely good reputation. 2) somehow chemicals got in the tank: I can't think how this might be possible but I'm at a loss for another explaination. Now the question is what should I do now.... |
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