Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Fishnet

If you have a fish pond, fish tank or are seeking advice about keeping tropical fish, you can find advice on our Fish forum.

Original poster

Help! Tropical fish not happy. What can I do?

39 replies

spekulatius · 28/06/2014 21:40

We've got a 110 litre tank with 8 Neons and 6 Platys. The problem is the Platys die. A lot. And the once left just don't seem happy. They hide most of the time, one likes to hide in a tunnel thing and lies on the bottom looking dead. When I try to remove him he swims off. I did ask the guy at Seapets today, he said Neons are usually the first once to go if the water isn't right but they seem ok. He said I could bring some water to have it tested there but I found a test kit at home, it gives a reading but doesn't say what is normal? Hope someone can help?

OP posts:
Original poster
spekulatius · 03/08/2014 22:36

Looking back at the nitrogen cycle a decrease in Nitrite and Ammonia and an increase in Nitrate is good, isn't it?

OP posts:
EauRouge · 04/08/2014 08:36

No, you only need to replace the carbon filters regularly (around ever 4 weeks), although I would just bin them because they are not needed in a properly maintained tank. The sponges only need replacing when they start losing their shape. I don't think I've changed mine for a couple of years.

Your nitrAte is waaaay too high, it should be under 40. How often have you been doing water changes? How much do you change and how do you do it? It shouldn't disturb the fish too much, it's something that you get better at with practice though. Have you tested your tap water nitrAte?

If they are leaving some food on the bottom then you're giving them too much. Try cutting down to just giving them what they can eat in 2 minutes and then scoop the rest out. Leaving food in there will contribute to the ammonia level.

Original poster
spekulatius · 04/08/2014 10:27

I use the gravel cleaner plastic tube thing to clean until there are no more bits floating about, usually about 25 litres. Rinse the filters in the dirty water then fill up again, I use tapsafe for the new water. Nitrate for tap water is 0. How long do I wait before doing the water test, I usually do it the next day so that things can settle.

OP posts:
EauRouge · 04/08/2014 10:35

How often have you been doing water changes? You can test the day afterwards, that's fine.

Original poster
spekulatius · 04/08/2014 12:22

About every 3 days. So difficult when you've got a little one trying to drink the dirty water, climb into the bucket, throw her toys into the bucket, use the gravel cleaner to clean the TV.......

OP posts:
Original poster
spekulatius · 04/08/2014 12:27

Any thoughts on a heater?

OP posts:
EauRouge · 04/08/2014 12:47

Ah yes, I've got little helpers too Grin Although they are getting bigger now so don't get under my feet quite so much.

You will need a new heater as platys and neons both like warmish water. They'll be OK for a few days though, especially in this weather, so you don't need to rush out and buy one right now.

How old is your test kit btw? It seems strange that your tap water nitrAte is zero and yet the nitrAte in your tank is rising so quickly.

Original poster
spekulatius · 04/08/2014 16:27

Does it matter which brand for the heater? Test kit is new. Bought the one you recommend in another thread, Masterkit I think it's called. Put water in a vile and add drops. There is one Platy which is constantly hiding under a piece of wood, doesn't seem to come up for food. Just kind of hovers under there but doesn't seem particularly unhappy. It seems to have grown huge, could it be that it's a she and she's hiding to have some peace?

OP posts:
Original poster
spekulatius · 04/08/2014 16:27

Does it matter which brand for the heater? Test kit is new. Bought the one you recommend in another thread, Masterkit I think it's called. Put water in a vile and add drops. There is one Platy which is constantly hiding under a piece of wood, doesn't seem to come up for food. Just kind of hovers under there but doesn't seem particularly unhappy. It seems to have grown huge, could it be that it's a she and she's hiding to have some peace?

OP posts:
Original poster
spekulatius · 04/08/2014 16:27

Does it matter which brand for the heater? Test kit is new. Bought the one you recommend in another thread, Masterkit I think it's called. Put water in a vile and add drops. There is one Platy which is constantly hiding under a piece of wood, doesn't seem to come up for food. Just kind of hovers under there but doesn't seem particularly unhappy. It seems to have grown huge, could it be that it's a she and she's hiding to have some peace?

OP posts:
Original poster
spekulatius · 04/08/2014 16:27

Does it matter which brand for the heater? Test kit is new. Bought the one you recommend in another thread, Masterkit I think it's called. Put water in a vile and add drops. There is one Platy which is constantly hiding under a piece of wood, doesn't seem to come up for food. Just kind of hovers under there but doesn't seem particularly unhappy. It seems to have grown huge, could it be that it's a she and she's hiding to have some peace?

OP posts:
Original poster
spekulatius · 04/08/2014 16:27

Does it matter which brand for the heater? Test kit is new. Bought the one you recommend in another thread, Masterkit I think it's called. Put water in a vile and add drops. There is one Platy which is constantly hiding under a piece of wood, doesn't seem to come up for food. Just kind of hovers under there but doesn't seem particularly unhappy. It seems to have grown huge, could it be that it's a she and she's hiding to have some peace?

OP posts:
Original poster
spekulatius · 04/08/2014 16:31

Sorry don't know what happened there.

OP posts:
EauRouge · 04/08/2014 16:43

Have you got male and female platys? If so then they will breed.

Brand's not that important for heaters, no. As long as it's got a thermostat then it should be fine. I would also get a thermometer that has an alarm for when it gets too hot or cold. They're not expensive, only about a fiver.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page