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How long did you acclimate them for?
Something must be wrong with the tank. Or it is a really crappy store.

The store is really nice. I acclimated each for 30 mins. I did the add a cup of water every 5 mins Trick.

Chris

Well I really dont know then. Except most people acclimate theres for an hour. But whatever works for you.

So I have lost 2 harlies. I am just so doubtful about my tank... I am so worried that this will never happen. *Sigh* So for my CO2 system I am thinking about this one...
http://www.tropicalfishcentre.co.uk/Diyco2.htm
How long will this yeast solution last for? Thanks.

BTW Is anyone paying attention to this thread?

Chris

Hi again! Yes, we pay attention to your log. I just have not had much to add. I myself would try another LFS. I know you like yours but something is going on here. I don't think I have had that many deaths in my tanks since I started the hobby. Also make sure you are using the quarantine tank. I would hate to see you lose everything. I really do hope your luck improves. Don't give up, just slow down and figure this out.

"Talk is cheap. Action can be almost as affordable"

See the thing is they give me store credit, I would try a diffrent store though. I will put pics up hopefully soon. So I am wondering, Can anyone think of some other fish to replace my Lemons, maybe more colorful? Thanks.

Chris

Well if you are sure you figured out the problem then why not a colony of platies?

Big surprise there PlatyPunk! Lol. Glowlights and Cardinals are what I have been looking at lately for my other 29 gal. They are colorful. Glowlights are smaller so you could fit a larger school of them.

"Talk is cheap. Action can be almost as affordable"

Hmmm... Well Platies are livebearers and... I dislike livebearers. You know, I am not sure what kind of fish I want. So, Maybe the reason my fish were dying was lack of food. Would they die from eating only once a day? I just started feeding them two times a day. Thanks.

Chris

The store is really nice. I acclimated each for 30 mins. I did the add a cup of water every 5 mins Trick.

I've read several articles on introducing new fish to a tank. It seems really important to take your time doing this especially with sensitive fish. There is something called the drip method, where a hose adds only a drop or two every second or so.

That's too much trouble for me, so I use another method I read about........... & it uses less water this way. I dump most of the water out of the new bag of fish. I let it set in the tank for 15 or 20 minutes to help stabilize the water temp. in the bag. (cause there isn't much water, so takes less time) After that I start adding some tank water to the bag, but only like 1/8 or 1/4 of a cup. I do this every 15 minutes for at least an hr.. It works for me anyway.

If anyone thinks this might not be the right advice to give, then they can correct me, as I'm new & don't know the proper way of doing everything yet.

Although I do realize there may be several ways of doing the same thing, as long as the results turn out good.

I think either something is going on in the tank, or at the LFS. I would try another store just to make sure it isn't the one you are using. I personally don't think acclimation is the problem. I usually acclimate fish for about 30 mins and I haven't lost this many fish at one time (except for Rummynose tetras...but they are a different story ).

Feeding them only once per day isn't the problem either IMO. I feed my fish once every other day and they are fine.

Try a different store...see what kind of tetras they have. Pretty much any tetras will work. I'd stay away from nippy ones like Serpaes and Buenos Aires, but any others will work.

*Kristin*

I'll try that... So Girliegirl how does this setup sound... http://www.tropicalfishcentre.co.uk/Diyco2.htm
Should I try 2 bottles of yeast like it suggests for bigger tanks? Thanks.

Chris

Sounds like DIY CO2. I'd definitely go with 2 bottles.

*Kristin*

Would that be as much as a real CO2 system? Thanks.

Chris

DIY is very cheap. All you need is 2 2 liter bottles, some CO2 airline, check valves, yeast, sugar and some way to diffuse the CO2 into the tank (airstone, powerhead, etc...). Its not as effective as pressurized and you have to change out the mixture every couple weeks or so, but it will work ok.

*Kristin*

I meant will it be as much CO2 injected but whatever. I am planning on having a air stone into a diffuser cup. Also I think my female Ram might have dropsy she has scales sticking out near her Red spot. I am becoming very disappointed with my tank... Also the leopard cory i replaced looks like a mummy and is definitely not a leopard cory. Thanks.

Chris

Hello,
I Will be putting pics up soon. As of now, I am waiting until Christmas for my new good and I a still deciding on which type of fish. I am thinking of Tiger Barbs, Black Skirt Tetras and Some type of Danios. Comments Appreciated!

Chris

Do you have any of the other fish left? If so, could you list them?

I'd keep it down to 2 schools of fish in a 29g..especially since Tiger Barbs get about 3 inches and Black Skirts are pretty big tetras full grown. Personally I'd go with one of those and then pick another school. If you have a schooling fish left, make sure you either up the number or give them away, if you don't want them. I'd keep it down to 2 schools and have 6-8 of each.

Tiger Barbs are nippy, so if you have German Rams left in the tank, I'd be careful keeping them together. I'm sure Rams can hold their own to the Barbs, but I'd be worried about especially a male Rams fins. With a large enough school of the Barbs, say about 8, they should focus more on each other though.

edit: (Woohoo....1400 posts)

*Kristin*

Nice job on 1400 posts! Glad it could be here. So I have 8 Harlies, 6 Leopard Cories, and 2 Rams. Which should I get and how many? Thanks.

Chris

Nice job on 1400 posts! Glad it could be here

Thanks!

I would just add 1 more school then, since you still have a school of Harlies. I'd go with something peaceful and save the barbs for a semi-aggressive type tank. Do you like the Danios? If so, they'd make a nice contrast to the red of the Harlies. Or what about Black neons? They sound boring, but a school of them looks really nice. I wish I had room for some. The Black Widow tetras would be ok too, if you like them. Whichever type you choose, I'd go with 8.

*Kristin*

Well, Actually I was kinda hooked on the Black skirts and the Tiger. How many Tiger and how many Black Skirts can i get? Like how many of each? Thanks.

Chris

You already have one school of fish in the tank, so you should only add one more, unless you are getting rid of the harlies. Tiger barbs can be bullies so I wouldn't put them with the Harlies. You could try it, but personally, I wouldn't. You'll have to choose between the Tigers and Black Skirts, unless you get rid of the Harlies. If you go with the Tiger Barbs I'd only get 6...a max of 8 though since they get about 3 inches. You could have up to 8 Black Skirts as well....but if you are keeping the Harlies, you should choose either the Skirt tetras or the Barbs. 3 schools, especially since the barbs and black skirts get large, would be too much for a 29g tank.

*Kristin*

I am just deciding which to get Black Skirts or Tigers. I need the vacation to think this over. Happy Holidays! I'll be back.

Chris

Does anyone else have any Ideas for some other school of fish? Thanks.

Chris

So how is everything going on here?

Hope all fishies are well and you are having sucess!

Everything is good in my tank. I just got back from being away for two weeks and Everyone is alive (Thanks to a auto-feeder). The tank is just a little cloudy but I am about to change the water. Everyone is alive all i need now is a female ram and another idea for fish. I am think a couple gouramis, maybe a pair? Any Ideas? Thanks.

Chris

Gouramis? Yes? No?

Chris

Hmmm maybe Honey Gouramis. Those are my favorite type. I was thinking of getting one for my 55 gal. I think He would be a nice addition. I like gouramis....very graceful fish.

How many and what breeds are available to me?

Chris

HELLO THERE. IVE BEEN FOLLOWING YOUR THREAD VERY CLOSELY FOR I AM SETTING UP A NEW 50 GALLON TANK AND IM TRYING TO SOAK UP AS MUCH INFORMATION ON THE TOPIC AS POSSIBLE BEFORE STARTING IN ORDER TO PREVENT DISASTERS. IVE BEEN LAYING IN THE BACK ENJOYING THE VERY INFORMATIVE AND WELL THOUGHT OF POSTS THAT YOUR THREAD GENERATED.

WHEN YOU MENTIONED GOURAMIS YOU STRUCK A NERVE AND I HAD TO INTERVENE. IVE HAD VERY GOOD RESULTS WITH DWARF GOURAMIS IN COMMUNITY TANKS WITH TETRAS, THEY ARE FEISTY FELLAS BUT USSUALLY NO HARM COMES FROM THEIR ROUGH PLAYING AMONGST THEMSELVES. I WOULDNT RISK ADDING NORMAL SIZE GS TO YOUR TANK FOR TWO REASONS, THEY TAKE UP MORE ROOM THAN DWARFIES AND THEY MAY BE MORE AGGRESSIVE TOWARDS OTHER FISH THAN THE LESSER KIND. I RECOMMEND THE DWARF SUNSET GOURAMI AND THE DWARF BLUE POWDER GOURAMI, THEY ARE TRULY BEAUTIFUL FISH AND ADD A BIT OF COLOR TO THE AQUARIUMS PALETTE. YOU MIGHT WANT TO TRY TO GET A PAIR, MALE AND FEMALE SINCE YOU ARE INTO BREEDING.

AS FOR THE OTHER SCHOOLING FISH IT MAY COME AS NO SURPRISE BUT HAVE YOU CONSIDERED RED PHANTOM TETRAS? THEY ARE VERY COLORFUL AND VERY ACTIVE FISH, THEY DO REQUIRE A BIT OF ROOM AND CARE BUT THEY ARE WELL WORTH IT ONCE YOU SEE THEM COURTING EACH OTHER. CARDINALS AND NEON TETRAS FORM NICE SCHOOLS TOGETHER AND INTEGRATE THEMSELVES AS ONE WHEN IN NEED TO SCHOOL.

WHICHEVER FISH YOU DECIDE TO INTEGRATE INTO YOUR COMMUNITY BE SURE TO HAVE SORTED OUT THE ISSUE THAT MAY BE CAUSING DEATHS IN YOUR TANK BEFORE BRINGING IN NEW MEMBERS TO YOUR HABITAT. IF THERE IS SOMETHING IVE LEARNED IN MY SHORT TIME AS A FISH KEEPER IS TO BE PATIENT, SO JUST HANG IN THERE AND TAKE IT ONE ISSUE AT A TIME.

I AM NEW ENTHUSIAST AND IF AT ANY POINT I MAY STRAY FROM THE TRUTH PLEASE SET ME STRAIGHT, I WELCOME FEEDBACK FROM EXPERIENCED MINDS.

How many and what breeds are available to me?

Depends on what your LFS carries.

Honey or Dwarf gouramis would be fine. Don't get a pair unless you can find females. If you can, I'd get a trio (1m/2f) that way one female won't be harassed all the time. Gouramis that get around 4-5 inches (Pearl, Blue, Gold, 3-spot, Moonlight) would be fine, but I'd stick with just one. Blues, Golds and 3-spots can be mean sometimes, but I have a 3-Spot gourami in my 55g and he's really shy. I've not seen him being aggressive at all.

*Kristin*

GOURAMIS ARE WONDERFUL FISH AND IT DEPENDS A LOT ON THE INDIVIDUALS PERSONALITY AND BEHAVIOUR. SOME WILL BE AGGRESSIVE TOWARDS OTHER FISH SOME WILL BE VERY PEACEFULL IN THE COMMUNITY, THERE ARE MANY VARIETIES FROM WHICH TO CHOOSE FROM AND IT WILL DEPEND SOLELY ON THE INDIVIDUAL IF HE GETS ALONG WITH YOUR OTHER FISH OR NOT.

YOUR LFS MAY NOT CARRY THE GREEN FLAME TETRA, BUT THIS IS ALSO A VERY NICE SCHOOLING FISH THAT COULD BE AN OPTION FOR YOU.

ALL THE BEST

Welcome to FP, RedPhantom!

Using all caps on the internet usually equals yelling. If you could turn off caps lock, your posts will be easier to read and respond to.

"I AM NEW ENTHUSIAST AND IF AT ANY POINT I MAY STRAY FROM THE TRUTH PLEASE SET ME STRAIGHT, I WELCOME FEEDBACK FROM EXPERIENCED MINDS."

I thought the advice you gave was well thought out and helpful. I look foreward to seeing you 'round FP.

I'll do graffiti,
If you sing to me in French.

Thanks for the tip katieb, I`ll keep it down from now on. I guess im just a loud mouth both in person and online!!

This forum has been of great help and it is great to have a place to share ones experiences with others.

Please let me know if I can be of service and again thank you for the input.

Warm greetings from Costa Rica

Wow, Lots Of Comments... Where to start. Of Course in Chronological order!

RePhantom - Thanks for the attention to the thread (As well as everyone else). I hope your tank turns out well and that this will be like a guide for you. So I like your suggestions on fish that you gave but I feel like sticking to the Gourami Idea. I have always liked the Powder Blue Gouramis but I thought they were aggressive. BTW I have been to Costa Rica Twice and I love it there! Thanks!

Girlie Girl - First of Thanks for all the replies given by you. But One think I do not understand is this...

Gouramis that get around 4-5 inches (Pearl, Blue, Gold, 3-spot, Moonlight) would be fine, but I'd stick with just one.

What are you trying to say here, I can breed regular sized Gourmais in the tank or they will just be peaceful? Also Would Gouramis still breed with a 1m/2f pair? And are females hard to find (Sex)? Thanks!

Chris

What are you trying to say here, I can breed regular sized Gourmais in the tank or they will just be peaceful? Also Would Gouramis still breed with a 1m/2f pair? And are females hard to find (Sex)?

I was saying that if you choose a type of gourami that gets around 5 inches or so, then I'd just get one because they are pretty big.

I wouldn't try to breed gouramis in a community tank. The 1m/2f was for the smaller type of gouramis. Red Phantom mentioned getting a pair, but I recommend getting a trio because having only one female, the male can stress her out. But you could try getting 1m/1f...I personally wouldn't though.

Female gouramis aren't always sold in LFS because they aren't as colorful as males...so sometimes they are hard to find.

*Kristin*

But I could put 2f/1m in my current tank? BTW Pictures coming soon! Thanks!

Chris

Garofoli,

Thanks for your wishes towards my tank, ill prepare a thread at some point to monitor its development once it gets started.

Glad to hear you enjoyed your trip to CR, it is a nice, very laid back country, some intresting fish species as well!!

If you want Gouramis dont give it a second thought, they are truly majestic creatures. I suggest if you want to introduce more than one that you go with the dwarf gouramis, I have two Dwarf Powder Blues in my community tank with tetras and they are simply the sweetest thing, they may be feisty with each other but they leave other fish well off alone.

Im suggesting the dwarfies because of space availability(Gouramis may need 10 gallons per fish from what ive been told on another thread), and you`ll probably get a better chance at a fish that may not be aggressive or too territorial, again it will totally depend on the individual fish wether he or she is aggressive or not.

Best of Luck

Esteemed readers,

I am setting up a 50 gallon tank in Costa Rica, to host the population of my current 10 gallon tank. If you are intrested and want to follow up on the status of the tank and fish, please refer to this link: http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/threads/32514.1.htm?0.9819176#

Thanks for all your help thusfar and hope to hear from you all in the near future.

Hello,
Sorry this thread is going so slow but I have still not gotten my Gouramis yet... for a reason. I am considering a pair of Kribs instead of Gouramis. Do you think they will breed happily with 2 Rams and 8 Harlies? Thanks.

BTW: Post 100 for this Thread!

Chris

Hello everyone,

I don`t know much about cichlids from personal experience, but knowing breeding habits I dare say that the parents may get somewhat protective during this period. How it applies to the Kribs I`m not too sure, they are suppossed to be peacefull by cichlid standards, but then again that is not too reassuring.

Rams are also quite feisty but I think you have the most peaceful type. Then again I`ve seen cichlids species get along with each other just fine. On the Harleys well, they are fast fish that look for support in numbers so they may not be to easy of a dish for the Kribs.

If the tank is not too crowded and if each different species has its well defined living area or territory with plenty of hidding places and they are well spread out, that would relieve tension and avoid comfrontation amongst them.

Again I`m no expert on cichlids, just my two cents. If anyone thinks otherwise please set me straight.

Its always good to take your time on decisions like these and to use up that time researching as much as possible on the matter at hand.

All the best,

James

I dont think I would have two breeding pairs of dwarf cichlids in that tank. I have a pair of bolivians and a pair of blues in my 55 and they dont even like that. They dont hurt each other but they do chase each other away from thier territories. I wouldnt chance it since a 29 gallon is significantly smaller than a 55. I say stick with the gouramis.

I agree with Platy. I don't think there's room in a 29g for both pairs to establish territories. Also, I've heard Kribs in particular can be nasty when breeding. I'd stick to just the one pair of cichlids.

*Kristin*

Yeah, It was a pretty dumb question. It was pretty obvious. Never mind. So I am just waiting for a chance to get those Gouramis. Thanks.

Chris

*Sigh* I lost my last ram and another Harlie. I have no clue the tank seemed to be stable. I lost them to what looks like pop-eye although thats not fatal. So... nothing has happened. Hopefully this weekend I will get the rest of the fish which include...
3 Harlies
2 Rams
3 Gouramis

Thanks.

Chris

Garofoli,

I still suggest you find out what it going on with the fish you are getting or the tank before you get anymore fish. I dont understand why you keep loosing fish.

This is the first loss for several weeks and they were within the same day. It is very strange.

Chris

Hello everyone,
Sorry I have not replied in like forever but I have not yet been to the fish store since last losing fish. I have just recently went and fufilled my stocking list completely. As of now, I have...
2 Rams (Paired)
3 Dwarf Gouramis (2f/1m)
8 Harlies
6 Leopard Cories

My tank looks very nice, I will try to post pictures. I really hope everyone lives this time through. Thanks.

Chris

Grim News... I have lost a catfish (No clue why, they seemed stable), a ram, my male gourami and all four of the new Harlies!!! I might... I don't know what to do! I am thinking to just breed one type of fish, maybe Guppies (For Show, Not fo' sho ). Any Ideas?

Chris

Have you figured out why you keep loosing all these fish yet? It seems to be a big problem. What are your water parameters. How long has this tank been setup. Seems like over the course of this log you have lost ALOT of fish. Wonder what could be the problem?

OMG I am losing fish left and right. I have lost two cories and my last ram! HELP ME! My params are fine. What's killing them?

Chris

What are your parameters exactly? That would definately help us find out what is wrong.

My params are...
PH: 7.4
NitAte: 5ppm
Ammonia: 0ppm

I have no clue what is going on! I am becoming very frusturated! How can I tell if I am feeding them too little? That might be the reason. Thanks.

Chris

What is your nitrIte level? How often do you do water changes and how much?

How often and what are you feeding them?

*Kristin*

From browsing through your thread I get the impression that you are adding a lot of fish at one time. Try adding just a school of cories and wait a week or 2 and see how they do. Then buy your school of tetras and wait and so on. If any of the fish are dying or acting strange do a water change. It is the best thing you can do in a situation like that.

Good luck.

Im going through a similar thing, im having a mini cycle and I lost a ram the other night. Since then i have done two water changes and im keeping my nitrates down. But its sounds like an overwhelm of the bioload to me also. Sorry to say. Patience is a virtue in this hobby.

Thanks for your input as always, Shane
http://thetanklog.blogspot.com/ - [ Thanks to ScottF ]
http://www.natureaquariumclubofutah.com/main.html

It must be the bio-loads inability to handle such a great amount of fish. Anyways I think I will switch over to ottos instead of cories. Thanks for now.

Chris

IMO, I wouldn't do ottos, they can be much more sinsitive than cories. With your problem of losing fish, I wouldn't do it .


~Morgan~

I respect your opinion but I think that I could handle Ottos if I managed my bioload. Can you please tell me how many ottos to add to the current stocking list and in what order and intervals to add the fish. Thanks.

2 Rams
8 Harlies
3 Gouramis (2f/1m)
X Ottos

EDIT: I just had a great Idea! Maybe get 1 pleco(Bristle? IDK what kind) instead of the ottos.

Chris

I would add the Bristlenose Pleco & Gouramis week 1 after the cycled tank. Week 3 I would add 4 Harlies. Week 5 I would add 4 more Harlies. Week 8 i would add the rams. I have found rams to be extremly sensitive to water params. So keep them in check. Do frequent water changes for the first 2 weeks after adding new fish to keep the params down and stable. This is just my opinion

Thanks for your input as always, Shane
http://thetanklog.blogspot.com/ - [ Thanks to ScottF ]
http://www.natureaquariumclubofutah.com/main.html

Woops... I added everyone already. Oh well. I did one thing different, before I was stupid and changed the water after "acclimating" the fish and then questioned their death. This time I changed the water first and now they seem great! The Params are great...

Ammonia: 0ppm
Nitrate: 5ppm
Ph: 6.8

Stocking List:
2 Rams
3 Gouramis (2f/1m)
8 Harlies
1 BN Pleco

Chris

Pictures...

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i266/Gar0foli/PICT1547.jpg
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i266/Gar0foli/PICT1548.jpg
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i266/Gar0foli/PICT1549.jpg
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i266/Gar0foli/PICT1550.jpg
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i266/Gar0foli/PICT1551.jpg
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i266/Gar0foli/PICT1552.jpg

Chris

I see that your pH was 7.4 before and now is 6.8. Swings in pH will usually affect fish negatively and can sometimes cause death, especially to Rams which IME don't handle stress well.

Are you lowering it on purpose or is did it just happen to drop a bit? Keep an eye on it to see if its changing alot. That could be the cause of your fish deaths.

edit: I see that was only a couple days ago that it was 7.4 so it could be that your tap water is just lower than the tank water. Maybe changing the water after you added them killed them, because of the pH swing. Just a theory....

*Kristin*

UPDATE:

My params are...
Nitrate: 10ppm
Ammonia: 0ppm
Ph: 7.0

My stocking list is...
2 Rams
1 BN pleco
6 Harlies (supposed to be 8, 1 died the other is missing)
3 Gouramis (2f/1m)

My male ram's pelvic fins are clamped and my male gourami is very "depressed" he is very inactive and often rests on the ground.

Chris

So why did the harlie die? And where'd the other one disappear to?

Chances are it was eaten, and mostlikely it died first.

Your nitrate's doubled in 3 days. That's not normal. You have a problem in that tank and if you do not slow down you are never going to figure it out. But hey, what do any of us know?

Listen! Do you smell that?

I have no clue as to why either of the Harlies died/disappeared. And doubling from 5 to 10 is nothing. Doubling from 40 to 80 then theres a problem.

Chris

Garfoli...we have told you take it slow with your stocking....you say there is a problem but your the one causing it...you went out and bought all those fish after we gave you the advice not to. You knew it wasnt a good decision but you did it anyway. Anyway I know that sounds harsh but just try to calm down on the fish lol

Anyway...nitrates doubling isnt a good thing...even though it doesnt sound like much right now if it keeps doubling at the rate it is then there is a problem...and soon your nitrates will be way up.

First off... Like I said before, I used to acclimate the fish then immediately change the water. This time I changed the water before the acclimation. To be honest I think there is no problem with the Bioload at all. Adding the fish all at once should not have been a problem AT ALL. My tank has been cycled for the past... Year, maybe? And my nitrates *sigh* I am not always 100% precise. It's color coded for crying out loud! I am being victimized for no reason. I've talked to many LFS and they say I have done nothing wrong.

Sorry, I just had to get that off my chest...

Chris

Garofoli...no one is victimizing you. We are just trying to help and you dont seem to be taking our advice at all. There obviously IS a problem becasue you have gone through more fish in the last few pages of this thread than I have owned in my life. No one is victimizing you...just trying to help...but when you dont take advice then it really shows that you dont care.

Like I said before, I used to acclimate the fish then immediately change the water. This time I changed the water before the acclimation.

That said. It proves my point, I've learned my lessons.

Chris

Ok but how do you explain the fish you are still losing? All we are trying to do is help you. I am not trying to be mean...just trying to help.

Garofoli,

You made my point for me here, that I've tried to make to you in chat.

You changed the water before acclimitizing your fish.

In essence, you put a large number of fish into a tank with brand new water, that, even though you say it's been cycling for a year, you just said you CHANGED THE WATER. That means the water has not been in that tank for a year. Not even any part of that water is cycled.

I've tried to tell you before. In that water, before your fish can survive, much less prosper, or breed, or anything you seem to want them to do immediately, there must be bacteria cultures. Those bacteria cultures are going to get in that water one of three ways: from other fish, from bacteria culter STARTER solution, or from plants. And even from plants, it's not going to be enough.

The absolute BEST way to get that bacteria culture started in that tank is to get the cheapest, simplest fish you possibly can, such a school of zebra danios or white clouds (here they run about 76 cents each) and let them live in that tank for a few WEEKS before you add more fish.

At the risk of angering the mods, let me try all caps to get the point across.

IF THERE WAS NOT A PROBLEM YOUR FISH WOULD NOT KEEP DYING. You can say it's because you did a water change before or after or in the middle or you put your left leg in when you should have put your right leg out or because aliens abducted them all you want. But the fact of the matter is that there is one common denominator in the entire log of your tank: you. You and your impatience and stubborness.

You've been given the same advice from several beginners, amateurs, and experts on this forum: SLOW DOWN. Your LFS is, in my opinion, run by idiots if they're telling you that you're doing nothing wrong. Or else they are telling you, and you're just refusing to listen just like you're refusing to listen to everybody here. Just because what we're all saying isn't what you want to hear doesn't mean we're wrong.

When this batch of fish you have dies, I hope you'll actually stop, slow down, and listen to all of us. Because they are going to. You've lost two already. WHAT does that tell you?

I am ALMOST where I could go to the pet store, buy fish, and drop them into my 10 gallon tank right now, and they would live and prosper. Why? Because that tank is ALMOST prepared and ready for fish. When I say prepared and ready for fish, what do I mean? I'll tell you. And when, as I am sure they will, your fish die, these are the steps that YOU should take before you run back to your LFS and swap them out. Take the dead fish back. Get your store credit on file, but DO NOT GET MORE FISH. Stop. Go home. Take these steps as if it were a new aquarium. Empty the tank out completely, water, gravel, decorations, everything.

And how did I prepare my tank?

1. I washed the tank thoroughly with a solution of water and ammonia. One bucket of water with about 1/4 cup of ammonia. Took a rag, soaked it in the bucket, and washed down the inside of the tank.
2. Then I rinsed the tank out thoroughly with very hot tap water, using the sprayer on my sink, and then filling and dumping the tank.
3. I dried the tank using paper towels, and then let the tank air dry in a room away from my cat and dog, to keep pet dander out of it.
4. I took the dry, clean tank, and used a hair dryer to blow it out to make sure no dust or pet hairs were inside.
5. I then took all my gravel, decorations, air lines, heater, and undergravel filter and rinsed them thoroughly with very hot water. Not 5 or 10 seconds, but several minutes of rinsing and rubbing them under the hot water to make sure no dust, no sticky residue, nothing was present.
6. I assembled the UGF, placed it in the tank, and spread the gravel on top of it.
7. I filled the tank with half cold, half hot water, and treated it with aquarium water treatment. (this is the step YOU need to take. For my tank, I siphoned 5 gallons from my -established and safe- 55 gallon tank, and supplemented it with treated tap water)
8. I placed the water heater in the tank, and hooked up the air lines to the UGF, and plugged up the heater and the air pump.
9. I let the tank sit, with the filter, heater, and air pump running, for 24 hours (for a 10g. 72 for a 20, a week for a 29/30, etc.)
10. I am now CYCLING my tank and preparing it for fish. By cycling it I don't mean overloading it with fish and waiting to see if they live or die. I have my school of zebra danios in it (7) swimming around, making sure the bacteria cultures are established.

For your tank, with all the problems you've had, you need a school of danios, or maybe platies, in that tank for a VERY BARE MINIMUM of two weeks. WEEKS. NOT HOURS OR DAYS. And then you need to add your fish.

But, as everyone, EVERYONE, here has advised you and you've completely ignored, you need to add those fish, one fish TYPE at a time, at a bare minimum of one week apart. I know you've said you can't go to the LFS that often. That's a GOOD thing. Do not be impatient. Give it time. If you had been more patient to begin with, right now you would have an established tank with what you originally wanted, and not have had to take back so many dead fish.

Add a school of tetras after two weeks with the danios. Then two weeks later, add some harlies. Then two weeks later, add some tetras or some rasboras. Then two weeks later you can add your rams.

And if you follow this plan, I can 99.9% guarantee that you not only will have a beautiful tank, that you can enjoy, but that you will be taking no dead fish back to your LFS.

And on your other questions you've asked, about your rams pairing up, and such?

Remember that your LFS sells children fish. Imagine, if they were selling humans. Humans typically breed after age 17. Your LFS would be selling humans aged 12-15. YOU HAVE TO GIVE THEM TIME. They are adolescents. They have to get used to their new home, and then they have to grow up.

-L

Listen! Do you smell that?

IF THERE WAS NOT A PROBLEM YOUR FISH WOULD NOT KEEP DYING

My fish are not dying this time, BECAUSE

Like I said before, I used to acclimate the fish then immediately change the water. This time I changed the water before the acclimation.



That said. It proves my point, I've learned my lessons.

So my problem now is that one of my female gourami's lower left quadrant of fins is brown and appears as it is "rotting." My params are fine yet again. What is the problem/symptom?

Chris

Hey Chris,
Fish keeping isn't for everyone. Maybe you should throw in the towel now, and take up another hobby! Something that doesn't have life or death in the balance.

Hi Garofoli, I have just re-read this whole thread and can't help but notice that you have been having issues in this tank for several months now, while I dont think that you have done yourself any favours with the rate at which you stock the tank, the stocking rate is oviously not the only thing that is causing your problems.

As a starting point for now I suggest you stop buying fish for a few weeks, go and buy some Primafix and Melafix and treat the tank, they are anti-bacterial and anti-fungal meds and they work best if used together the Melafix will also help speed-up the healing of wounds, once the tank has been treated and if there are no more losses for at least 2 weeks after treatment, you can probably start looking at stocking again.

I am no expert at medicating fish and wouldn't normally suggest that anyone medicate without a proper diagnosis, but I think you need to cover both bases here and do something to wipe out any nasty fungus or bacteria or both that may be in the tank at this stage in order to save the fish you have left.

Now to move on to discovering any underlying causes that may be affecting the tank, you will need to help us to help you, by that I mean give us ALL the details of the tank setup, include everything no matter how irrelivant it may seem, The more information you provide the better equiped we are to help you to find the answers that you seek.

Start with the tank size and dimentions, the filtration you are using and the media in that filtration along with the length of time the media has been in use, list all the hardscape in the tank and include whether it was bought from a LFS/aquarium supplier or if it came from another source like a harware/department store or your garden and what it is made from if known, also list all of the live plants you may have in the tank as some can be toxic to certain species fish, and don't forget to provide current water quality readings for as many parameters as you have the ability to measure, it may also help if you can provide the results of previous tests and the date/s at which you got those results.

Once all this information has been provided, we will all be able to make a start on finding a more permanant soloution to your problems.


GT

Never be afraid to try something new. Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark. A large group of professionals built the Titanic.

Please everyone... Do any of you understand that No fish has died in the last two weeks?!?! It's not that hard to understand, and Mobeyjack... That hurt a lot.

Chris

Mobyjack....that is one thing you definately should not say to a fishkeeper.

Garofoli actually if you go up your thread you see just a few days ago you sadi some harlies were dead and dissappeared. So maybe you didnt explain that that was a while ago but ummm thats the reason we are saying all this is because you told us a few days ago you were losing fish.

I really dont think Mobyjack should have said that to you at all....your just trying to pass a little hurdle. I have been through them..we all have.

Even if it seems we are being hard on you it is just us trying to help...aside from what mobyjack wrote which was totally unacceptable

Sounds like your gourami has a bacterial infection or finrot....that why you need a qt tank to set up first to get rid of these problems before you put them in your main tank with your healthy fish.

I really hope you overcome all this and I really hope we can stay freinds here on FP

I'm probably going to get a lot of criticism for this but... Do I have room for a Red-Tailed Shark? Thanks.

Chris