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Original poster

tropical fish questions.

79 replies

longwaytogo · 06/09/2006 15:25

We have just put fish in new aqyarium, but having archieved don't think its been set up long enough. Anyway think we bought two pregnant guppy's how do you know when to put them in one of those isolation things?

Should I be putting some aquarium salt in?

OP posts:

Gingerbear · 12/09/2006 17:10

I would be tempted to take out the wood to be honest. Less to worry about. Put in some fake plastic plants for shelter for now.

About a 'sandwich bag' full should be OK - remember to get your friend to rinse it out in some aquarium water, not in tap water (sorry for repeating myself, but it is so important)

Original poster

longwaytogo · 12/09/2006 19:25

yes will put some of her aquarium water in a bag then put sponge in and squeeze, which reminds me must text her tell her it will have to be tomorrow now as dh and dd's gone to band practice.

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goreousgirl · 12/09/2006 23:57

Longwaytop - having already muscled in on your thread (feeling v guilty - but highly interested in result)! Can Kelly or Gingerbread advise HOW to de-chlorinate please? Also - 4 weeks on for a freshwater tank - should I try this amonia thing in mine please?

Kelly1978 · 13/09/2006 08:14

re the chlorine, have you been doing water changes? you need to get something to treat the water before you add it to the tank, like aquasafe that declorinates the water BEFORE you add it to the tank. If you can get some gunk from somebody else then do that. I don't really know much about the amonia method, so I'll leave that for gingerbear!

Original poster

longwaytogo · 13/09/2006 09:35

gorgeous girl don't feel quilty hijack away my dear.

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Original poster

longwaytogo · 13/09/2006 10:00

aghhhh another one gone, didn't manage to get to friends last night, feeling really peeved now, why did we ever bother to get the thing back out of the garage?

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Gingerbear · 13/09/2006 12:58

don't do the fishless cycle by adding ammonia if you already have fish in there- you will kill them.
Dechlorinator: there are loads e.g.
API Stress Coat
Hagen Aqua Plus
King British Safe Guard
Add the required amount to the bucket and fill with water at the correct temperature (mix hot and cold) There is no need to wait - just swirl it around, the effect is instant.

Original poster

longwaytogo · 13/09/2006 19:23

Right have added friends lovely yukky water. She can't look after my fish as shop told her she has max no in already.

Went to shop today and not sure which test to buy. They had all seperate ones ie. nitrate, ph, amonia, then there was a box with them all in, but a friend had one which I think does all of them in one go, but I didn't see one of those there.

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Gingerbear · 13/09/2006 21:49

you need ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH - the nutrafin /hagen ones are about £5-£6 each, so better to buy an API Master testkit - it has all of them for £17.99 - see my ebay link if you cannot get one locally.
that your friend can't look after them for you. Lets hope that you don't lose any more. Make sure you test daily, and change water regularly.

Original poster

longwaytogo · 14/09/2006 10:02

another one bites the dust. Getting quite good at predicting which one is going next tbh. The night before they tend to start loosing their colour, others start chasing it round and bodies begin to break down (if that makes sense) and next morning its dead.

But only the zebras the others apart from male guppy who didn't look well from the start seem to be ok.

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Gingerbear · 14/09/2006 14:57

have you tested the water yet? Do another water change today.

Original poster

longwaytogo · 14/09/2006 15:36

how much water change?

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Gingerbear · 14/09/2006 17:39

25%? hard to tell unless you have a test kit and know the ammonia/nitrite levels.

Original poster

longwaytogo · 14/09/2006 21:52

have tried again today but to no avail only individual kits available have been told about another shop fairly local that does have them so will go look.

I think its the Zebras they don't like one another and until there is one left we will continue to find one a day dead - stupid fish

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Original poster

longwaytogo · 15/09/2006 16:44

ok have managed to get hold of a kit and all levels within normal range.

NO3 =10, NO2=0, GH = >10, KH = 6, PH was between 6.8 and 7.2

Is that right? Instructions say so, so is it just case of water wasn't right before I did water change? None gone today but guppies looking decididly dodgy, pale bits on bodies just below top fin.

will wait and see I guess.

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Kelly1978 · 15/09/2006 19:11

swounds perfect for guppies, I'm confused. What is tank temp set at? Have you been using stress coat?

I need help now too!, my tank light has gone. It is flickering (sometimes) when I plug it in. Not sure if it the bulb, starter or the whole unit, any ideas? And how long before it affects the fish? The tank isn't in a particularly well lit place.

Original poster

longwaytogo · 15/09/2006 20:44

kelly starters are pence in comparison to new tubes and it does sound like a starter prob rather than the tube.

Do you replace your tubes on a regular basis? Ours has been sat in garage for two years so not sure if we should have bought a new one.

Think I will have to go buy stress coat tomorrow, is there a wide range fixer that you can buy?

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Kelly1978 · 15/09/2006 20:56

the tuibes must be abotu a year old now. not sure if it is a starter prob, cos they are staying out if you see what I mean.

'wide range fixer'? not sure wt u mean - as in for the whole tank?
not really, it jsut takes time soemtimes, and a bit of trial and error.
first fish do often die though, so dont panic. it takes perseverance(sp!).

Original poster

longwaytogo · 15/09/2006 21:07

nah wide range as in not a clue whats wrong with them so jsut stick somehthing in the tank that covers wide range of problems.

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Kelly1978 · 15/09/2006 21:36

def nothing tht will solve that!

I think you prob need some more hardy fish, a good pet shop could advise you. I would try garden centers as I have more luck with them. Not sure where you are located, I tend to go to maidenhead aquatics, I hae one near me in sunningdale and they are knowlegeable fish experts who won't give crap advice. It's a while since I started up a tank, so the only one I remmeber as hardy is plecs! I was lucky with clown loach, but not sure if they gernerally hardy or not.

Kelly1978 · 17/09/2006 20:13

bump

Gingerbear · 17/09/2006 20:17

did you get an ammonia test kit LWTG? I have a spare that was sent as a magazine freebie. You can have it for postage. CAT me if you want me to post it to you.
You need to find out the ammonia level and keep doing water changes.

Gingerbear · 17/09/2006 20:19

Guppies are definitely not the best fish to cycle a tank with. I am surprised you have lost danios too though - they are normally very hardy.

Kelly1978 · 17/09/2006 20:40

ne ideas about my lighting, gingerbear?

Original poster

longwaytogo · 17/09/2006 21:19

nope still not got ammonia test am going to lfs on Tues, in work 13 hours tom so no chance. went to a really good fish place on Sat it was huge, they just said put it down to new tank syndrome. Ammoia test was double the price i had seen it locally though.

Hadn't lost any for a few days but guppie this morning and I think the other will be gone by morning she is nearly completly white.

Did another water change yesterday. Just sooo fed up will be lucky if we have any fish left at this rate.

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