How do you set up a fish aquarium for tropical and betta fish?

Question

I bought a used small aquarium for my 9 year old. It had gravel and plants and air pump. I filled it with water and put in my fish. I have regretfully killed about 10 fish including my pleco, 3 bettas, 3 gold fish, 4 tetras and Im unwilling to kill anymore. Ive tried changing the water every other day. I havent put these fish in at the same time as they are not completely compatable. But even in just a bowl, they still die. I have noticed some kind of fast growing green junk growing rapidly on the gravel that balloons into green puffy stuff.

Answer 1

Did you use something to take the chlorine out of the water? I doubt you cycled the tank first so it was probably high ammonia that killed all your fish, that's when a test kit is a good idea. Once the ammonia gets to a certain point it becomes deadly and will kill all the fish and a water change will be needed to bring it down to a safe level. After a while beneficial bacteria will form and convert the ammonia into nitrite which is just as deadly as ammonia and can kill then just as easy. After a little more time a new form of beneficial bacteria will form and convert the nitrite into nitrate which isn't as deadly but can still kill if it gets too high that is why you do regular water changes. Without a filter though this won't happen so if you don't have one you will continue to lose your fish. You can do a fishless cycle and add pure ammonia in to let the tank cycle without the chance of harming any fish, I'll add a link to help you out with that. It can take over a month to cycle a tank either way so while you are waiting you can go to a few different fish stores or check online for maybe a different kind of fish and maybe pick up some just in case meds. Just remember to never overstock your tank, it will just cause you more work by having to do even more water changes. Oh yeah and always look up the adult size of the fish and how much space they need, even tiny little goldfish grow to be very big and are a very messy fish that is why they need 10 gallons each even when little.

http://badmanstropicalfish.com/articles/article14.html

Here's another link about setting up a new fish tank
http://www.fishlore.com/FirstTankSetup.htm

Answer 2

The green gunk is algae. You mentioned that you have an air pump, but do you have a filter? You're going to need one if you don't. Have you had your water tested? Most pet stores these days will test your aquarium water for free, and that can reveal the cause of the problem. I'm willing to bet the problem is the number of fish you have in the aquarium. The rule of thumb for how many fish you can have is 1" of adult body size per gallon of water. So if you have a 20 gallon tank, you can have 10 fish that will grow to be 2" long, you can have 20 fish that will grow to be 1" long, etc. The other question I have to ask is are you talking about female beta fish or males? The females are non-aggressive and will live in a community of tropical fish without trouble. The males however, cannot be housed with any other fish. They are extremely agressive and will kill other male betas as well as any tropical fish that is smaller than them. If you're talking about male betas, the only way to house them is in separate small bowls or tanks...that's why you see them that way at the pet stores. I would definitely start with a water test (it only takes about a cup of water, and a couple of minutes to do). Do a complete water change first, and make sure you really rinse the gravel well before you do anything else. You don't want to use soap, but you can use a little bit of bleach--let it soak for at least 20 minutes, and then rinse very thoroughly. Everything in the tank needs to be washed just as thoroughly including the tank itself. After everything is squeaky clean, put the aquarium back together and let the air pump and filter run for at least 24 hours before you take your water in to be tested. Start from there, and once you have the water tested let me know the results. I can help you out from there if more needs to be done!

Answer 3

No, that's no longer ok. The shark is semi aggressive, and a threat to the long fins of the betta, and could be a threat to the very small neons must you characteristic them. Goldfish are no longer ideal for this length tank, rather no longer 3 plus quite a few different fish. they only produce too plenty watse to be appropriatlly and correctly housed in one in all those small tank. you're in a position to skate by ability of whilst they're small, however the main suitable objective is to maintain your fish alive and healthful, confident? properly goldies could attain a pair of foot for comets, and around the size of a softball for fancy. could they no longer, they're going to die a terrible early demise consiting of their physique's stunted growth on an identical time as their organs proceed to enhance till their demise. A goldfish can stay some many years, no longer some years. The tank is likewise too heat for those chilly water loving fish. Heated tanks improve their metabolism, which in those bloat and swim bladder illness services fish, might properly be a seriouse danger. and since the goldies improve, their mouths will too, meaning the very small neons hazards becomeing diner. Neons want larger numbers than 3 or 4, rather whilst housed with aggressive fish. that's purely been 2 weeks on the grounds which you place them in, do you recommend this tank is purely 2 weeks previous? you nonetheless might desire to end the cycle of this tank, that may take any have been from a million-2 months, probable greater. Neons are very gentle to ammnoia fluctuations, and a newly cycling tank is particular to have those. Your tank is greater suitable than stocked, i does no longer recommend to any extent further fish, rather along with your cutting-edge combination. terrific of luck!

Answer 4

Your tank may have been used for salt water before. If you want a fresh water, ask your local pet shop if you can wash the tank out. Just never use soap. Bare tanks are pretty cheap though. You didn't mention weather or not you had a heater. Tropical fish need the warmer waters to survive. Good luck and God bless you!

Answer 5

The green stuff is called algea. Do you have a filter? If you don't you might want to get one. If you can't find one, here is a simple way to get rid if algea:
(1) You look for a pet shop.
(2) Ask if they have any snails.
(3) If they have one, get it.
(4) Put the snail in a little container and bring it home.
(5) Just gently drop the snail into the aquarium.
(6) The snail will just eat the algea. They LOVE that suff!
GOOD LUCK!!
P.S. I am 9 too.

Answer 6

That sounds very serious. I think that I would call a store that sells them to get the answers that you need.

The only thing that I have knowledge of is to keep Bettas apart or they will kill other fish, including other Bettas.

Fish tanks can be very difficult. Not easy like a goldfish.

I wish you luck, Dawn M

Answer 7

don't ever put or add fish to a tank filled with plain tap water. it could be dangerously full of chemicals that can harm your fish. so make sure your water in your aquarium is properly conditioned before putting any fish in it! you toand chlorine and ammmonia remover in your water. and a good stess coat to the water before you ever add any fish. remember tap water has the most common and dangerous chemicals like chlorine, andchloramine and ammonia. ammonia is the number one killler of tropical fish!

Answer 8

did you put the fish in after you just set up your aquarium or did you wait 96 hours before putting fish in