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ok, i guess i was kind of vague. I don't really know the terms or actual names or really much about this at all. I WANT TO LEARN! I have a 55 gallon tank. I have two filters running with a bio filter (white filter that slides in and out, and a blue filter with activated carbon inside it)? One filter came with my tank and i bought an extra because a friend of mine told me i would not have as much built up in my tank if i had double the filtering???
I have one tinfoil barb
one peacock eel
and two algae eaters (common plecos?)

i have been using the tetra test for ammonia levels
and a stick for nitrites, nitrates, ph, and hardness.
the ammonia level looked to me to be at the 0 level yesterday or maybe somewhere between the o and 25 color.
the stick test i did last weekend and it was high on nitrites so i have been doing 25% water changes every other day still. The water is still a bluish color from the ick clear tank buddies tablets i put in.
i have not treated with any substances since last weekend and i planned on doing a 30%water change today and vacuuming out the algae eaters POOP!!! it is terrible. where they lay the most is FULL of poop. Should i get rid of one of them? is two too many for my tank?
I forgot the other questions that were asked.
thank you for your responses all help is greatly appreciated.
as far as this being a family tank, it's not. No one feeds or works with the fish but me. The kids were excited at first but now they pop in every once in awhile just to look at them. You know how kids are.
My husband and I really got this for us. I am trying really hard to get this right and not kill any more helpless animals...
thanks all!

chelle

I forgot to add it was under 20 bucks!!

=p


Your welcome!!
Angel Eel

cool thanks angel eel! it would be alot easier to have all the tests in one.

chelle

As for the test kits, the tests are not all in one bottle but the all in one kit. The one I have is Freshwater Master Test Kit made by Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Inc. It test for ph, high range ph, ammonia, nitrate and nitrite, there is also over 700 tests in the box that I got, there was also bigger boxes there.

It also includes 4 test tubes, and a somewhat stand for all your chems and viles.



Hope this helps,
Angel Eel

Last edited by angeleel at 14-Mar-2005 18:52

the ammonia test is a liquid test. I use 5 mls of my tank water and go through drops of 3 different chemicals to determine my ammonia level. You mean there is a test for everything in one? I can't imagine the strip test i used for the nitrite/nitrate/ph and hardness would be very accurate. The only place i have close to me for supplies if walmart, and i am disgusted with them and their service. I will take a 45 minute drive this weekend to a pet store where i bought the liquid ammonia test (he seems to be more knowledgable than anyone i've met so far) I will take him a sample of my water and go from there. I bought the tinfoil from petsmart, an HOUR away. Maybe the other pet store man will take him for trade. So, a peacock eel is a predator? He will eat small fish? i can't see his mouth being that big? of course i'm not questioning any of you, but he just looks so harmless. I think i will keep him, he just hides all day and swims his long little butt off all night! thanks

chelle

Not to put anyone down but if someone knew these fish were two big in the first post you could have returned those fish right away,instead of trying to fix the problem when its not going to go away.

I personally think you should return them asap and do what was mentioned above....start over do some research and make the tank of your dreams.

I would't feel to bad, alot of people go through this in there first stages including myself.

As far as the eel the person above this post was right, the are mostly nocturnal which like he said you won't see them unless your a night hawk yourself then by all means, keep that one fish. If not I'd try to start over.

This is IMO, but I do think this would be the best.

Good Luck!!!!
Feel free to keep asking questions
Angel Eel

P.S. If you can afford this it would be a better help to you, the master test kits, the ones you have are alot less accurate, I have found anyways, some other people might agree, they are liquid testers that you drop into a test bottle of your water, seeing you have kids i'll throw this in, Some of these tests are dangerous poisons, depending on the age of your kids of course, if you get these tests keep them up high so they can not reach.

That's a common misconception. Actually, only the body stops growing, not the innards. This results a deformed and "stunted" fish. It is also a horrible and painful way for your beloved fish to go.

If you just want to keep the eel, it could be ok, but I'm not an expert. Personally, having 1 fish in a 55 gallon tank seems a bit empty, especially since eels aren't that active (or are they?). You might spend alot of time looking at an empty tank.

As for returning fish, I know petland takes them. Other stores might even give you credit for them. Either way, I'd check before I drop them off.

I'm very sorry, I know what it's like to part with your fish. *Relieves memories*
"Bozo, Joe, Shady, 50, I'm sorry I gave you away, come home!!!"

- DJ


Last edited by djtj at 13-Mar-2005 20:40

will a lfs take returned fish? a 55 gallon tank is not big enough for the eel either? i'm so lost here. I was under the impression that the fish would only grow to accommodate the size of their surroundings???

chelle

Pet stores always have a knack for selling you the biggest fish. I hate to break it to you, but none of those fish will live hapily in a 55 gallon tank. Every one of they grows to over a foot long. I'm really sorry about that, but I would suggest you return the fish. They tank needed to house all those fish comfortable would run atleast twice the size of your tank.

If it helps, I went throught a very similar problem, just 2 years ago. Only mine was much worse. I had bought a 5 gallon tank along with 1 common pleco, 1 clown loach, and 2 blue gouramis. I also had white skirt, black skirt, and black phantom tetras. Within days, they started to die, just like yours. About a month later, I knew what I had to do and I returned the fish. I know it's hard, but once you redue the tank and look at the way it functions perfectly, you'll be happy you made the choice.

- DJ :88)

i am new at this. I have a 55 gal tank with 2 aqua tech power filters 30-60 running. I have gravel, plastic plants, live plant bulbs, a hollow stump and a submersible heater.
I stocked the tank by going to petsmart and letting my children both pick out what fish they wanted. My oldest son picked a peacock eel and my middle son chose a tinfoil barb. I then proceeded to pick out some that i liked from the "semi-aggressive" catergory.
I should have been more informed before I went because the guy working there obviously was not.
I chose two catfish, two angels, and two kissing gouramis
The two weekends later i went to the lfs with a sample of my water, because the gouramis and an angel died. The owner tested the water and was in shock that i had fish still alive in there. He said he had NEVER seen a water sample turn that green. It was full of ammonia. I knew nothing about cycling or any of that. Well, he had me do 25% water changes every 2 to 3 days, and vacuuming gravel. The water got much better in 2 weeks. The ammonia was decent and all other tests checked good. I went to wal-mart and bought 2 algae eaters and 4 of the the cutest little albino something or others, they look like miniature catfish without the long whiskers...duh???
WELL...the algae eaters developed a white looking substance on their tails and the other fish started looking lifeless. I researched and decided they must have ick. i bought the fizzy tablets and some melafix and treated the tank. 3 of the cute little albino catfish looking creatures died. The angel was COVERED in ick and died, and I guess i overdosed my catfish and killed them too!! i'm heartbroken. I want to throw in the towel, but I am in love with these fish i have left. I am planning on doing a water change (25%?) once a week with gravel cleaning as well. I do not over feed anymore and check the ammonia level everytime i change the water. i clean the bio fibers and cartridges every time i clean. I want to get some more fish, but i need to know when, what kinds will do well, and will they develop ick if i put more in here. The algae eaters are doing great now. I still have the crazy tinfoil barb, the eel and the lil albino guy. There are strings floating around everywhere. Is this poop from the algae eaters? They are some nasty lil guys!! Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.
thanks :%)

chelle

Just to get my bearings, what fish do you have left?

Yeah, I figured my advice wasn't the most perfect, but I just know that that is probably what I would have done. In fact, that's basically what I did have to do.

I was so frustrated with my tank and myself, that I started over like that once I learned how to do it right. I thought that I would just pass on the advice.

I figured that along with a cleaner/healthier tank, Michelsa would have also have the peace of mind of knowing that it was done correctly and the remaining fish were much happier.

Good luck again.

i clean the bio fibers and cartridges every time i clean

By bio fibers, are you talking about the bio-wheels? Or something related to the biological filter? This is what it sounds like to me. If so, you should never clean the biological filters. Depending, from you description, if they are wheels or some kind of flow through filter, they should only be rinsed off in the tank water at the most. The biological filter is what converts your ammonia to nitrite and then to nitrates. These are bacteria, and you do not want to wash them away, or kill them off. As this could cause a new cycle to occur and then you will keep having the problems over and over.

Please let us know more about your tank;
How long your tank has been set up?
ammonia level?
nitrites level?
nitrates level?
filters, brand names if possible.
and pictures of your ill fish if possible.

_____________________________________________________________

There is always a bigger fish...

really good instructions but i think they are wrong. i think it would be best to identify the issues and correct them rather then rip the tank down and repeat the horror.

the floating strings could be fish poop, hard to know with out pics. white fuzzy stuff doesnt allways mean ick. small white spots is ick and cottony white patches is more of a body fungus.

im betting more of the lines of a bacterial fungus due to the cycling of the tank. ick is usually present after a serious temp swing.

its hard to give advice when we dont knwo exactly whats going on in the tank. some vetter discriptions of what you see and worry about and test results would help alot more. pics would also be a huge help but often people dont have a digital camera.

for now i would keep up with water changes. about 25% every other day. more often then not clean water prevents issues from spreading to other fish and slowing down on infected fish. it should be an automatic response to give a water change anytime you suspect an issue in your tank. save some of the water and have it tested after the WC.

another thing i was wondering about. you mention an eel in this tank. maybe im remembering it wrong but if you did indeed say an eel then thats a bad idea. im not an eel expert but eels are natural predators and i would think small fish would look alot like potential food.

anyway respond with the following information if at all possible.
Test results.
Ammonia-
Nitrite-
Nitrate-
what you see wrong with the fish with as much detail as possible. maybe a picture if at all possible.

First off, I'm not an expert - I just picked up this hobby myself a few months ago. I started with a 10 gal, and after all my initial mistakes, I feel that I've learned a lot. So maybe my advice will be relatively helpful.

I would recommend partially starting over for that tank. It sounds like the water is full of excessive ammonia, ich, ich treatment, parasites, and even more stuff that is never good to have in the tank. I think you may want to start over with what you've got, and if you do it right, it should work. It will take a lot of effort, but it will pay off.

First, remove the fish and place in CLEAN, large containers with the tank water you've pulled from the contaminated aquarium. You can hold the fish here for a number of hours while working on the tank.

Unplug the filters, lights, heaters, etc. Begin draining the contaminated tank water. Stir the gravel while draining to clean up the gravel bed as much as possible. Drain the tank completely.

Add enough water to cover the gravel and a little bit extra. This should dilute the contaminants in the gravel bed quite a bit. Drain this water. Repeat at least once more if possible. Don't rinse the gravel in hot water, as some of the tanks good bacteria lives in this gravel - it will help your tank cycle quicker once cleaned.

Fill the tank with water that's approximately the temperature you need. Plug the heater and filters back in. Be sure the filter is at maximum flow, and be sure the heater is not set at a temperature much higher than the water temperature - as the heater will shatter. Allow the water temperature to settle, and then slowly adjust the heater accordingly.

If using city tap water to fill the tank, add water conditioner that will specifially dechlorinate the water. If using well water, ask your lfs what's best to prevent any problems with heavy metals in your water.

Normally, at this point, it is best to let the tank sit for a number of days with no fish in it (well maybe one). However, you have five already. Because you have no choice, you will have to place the fish in the tank when the temperature is perfect. however, DO NOT dump the contaminated water from the bucket into tank! In fact, if you have enough buckets, fill another one with tap water and transfer each fish into the clean bucket separately to hopefully clean it off. (Others would probably recommend a saltwater dip here, but I'm not sure I can help you with that. Hopefully somebody can describe this to you, as that would possibly kill the remaining ich on each fish.) After rinsing fish, add to clean tank.

The problem with adding five fish at a time is that your ammonia levels are going to be astronomical. You will have too many fish, and your bacteria has probably not established itself yet (that's why we cleaned the gravel carefully - to preserve what you already had). The best way to counteract this is to do a daily, or semi-daily, water change. Remove at least 25% of the water ever day or two. If possible fill the buckets with clean water and let them dechlorinate by air overnight. With a 55 gallon, that may be difficult, so you could also add tap water that's at a decent temperature, and dechlorinate with the water conditioner again. Any more than 25% water change, you run the risk of dropping the temperature too much or stressing the fish more. Mistakes will be less disastrous for smaller, more frequent water changes.

Aside from the water changes, the most important thing is not add any more fish for quite some time. Your large tank will need to establish itself for at least a week or two. Then maybe add only one fish at a time (or a few smaller schooling fish). Plus, take a look at the "Profiles" section here - great reference for easiest types of fish to care for, as well as what to put in the tank with what you've already got (compatibility is key).

If you do all this soon, it may be better than just "hoping for the best." You're fish may seem fine now, but it's hard to say with such a stressful beginning. Giving these fish a clean, carefully orchestrated new beginning will give you healthier fish and a much cleaner tank.

I hope I don't sound too critical - I'm just trying to help as much as possible. I made all the same mistakes with my first tank, so I was hoping that I could help you out. Like I said, I'm not an expert at all - I just figured out some stuff on my own, and it may be just what you need.

Good luck, and keep posting for more info or just to inform everybody on how things are going.

Well first off, sorry you had trouble getting started in the hobby.

Second, you need to do a bit of reading. You shouldn't clean the filters every week, especially since I'm confused as to if you've compleatly cycled the tank

Ammonia rise then fall to zero
NitrIte rise then fall to zero
NitrATe rise to around 20 ppm.

Yes you'll need your own test kits, it's much more handy to have then to have to try and go to the LFS @3am .

Third, here are a few links from the FAQ @the top of the site you should read thru.

[link=Link to]http://www.fishprofiles.net/faq/begin-cycling.asp" style="COLOR: #EB4288[/link] Cycling information.

[link=Link to]http://www.fishprofiles.net/faq/fish-popular.asp" style="COLOR: #EB4288[/link] good beginner fish.

If this is going to be a family tank, I think that's great , but it's important that everyone knows what they're doing. Always research before you buy, and research from a few different sites. We have a pretty extensive [link=profiles section]http://www.fishprofiles.com/profiles/" style="COLOR: #EB4288[/link] here and when in doubt you can always post .

Welcome to the site hope you stay and learn....and get addicted to the hobby like the rest of us !

^_^
[hr width='40%'] "Ah, yes," said the toad. "You've got Nac Mac Feegles!"

anyone??? i'm new here and i'm not sure how this works...i am very excited to finally find a place where I might be able to get some answers and actually learn how to take care of this beautiful investment!!

chelle