I have an Aquarium Question??????????

Question

I set up my new aquarium. I did everything the instruction book said. Then my aquarium began to get dirty. I cleaned it and a few days later, it got dirty. I went to buy a replacement filter and it didi help clean my aquarium. And now, instead of the aquarium getting dirty, my fish are dying. All of my first fish died. I got them about 1 1/2 months ago, beggining of March. I got four fish this time. One died today, around a few hours ago. Can anyone tell me why my fish are dying. I told my parents its the carbon rock or its that aqua safe liquid that makes tap water safe for fish. I don't know. I started to realised something was wrong when my fish began to act retarted. They kept crashing into the walls of the aqarium or they did fips to drown themself. One of the fish kept jumping out of the water so it could fall into the floor and die. I guess it worked because the fish must of fallen at night because when I woke in the morning it was dead. What is wrong? Anyone please help?Thanks!

Answer 1

Well it could be that your tank is not cycled however there could be other problems. You are getting bacterial bloom in your tank. Which usually occurs during cycling. the filters won't help to draw this out of your tank.

Here is a link to understand what is going on in the new tank:
http://freshaquarium.about.com/cs/biologicalcycle/a/nitrogencycle.htm

however your tank has been up and running for over 1 1/2 months so it isn't a cycling problem.

Have you tested your water? What are the ammonia levels? Nitrate levels? PH level (not so important unless it keeps moving)

Sounds like you have a nitrate problem. even in a cycled tank you can only add one or two fish at one time. Adding more fish at one them will send your biofilter in to oblivion. It sounds like nitrate poisoning. Also, did you do a water change?

This is where you need to choose your information carefully. unfortunatelly not allbooks are right nor web sites nor shop keepers. Experience is your best friend, and I guarantee you won't make this one again. the book forgot to tell you about the cycling process, and what nitrates and ammonia will do to fish. (Just goes to prove anyone including Britney can have a web page or write a book!)

Test your water. Get the readings. Also, another thing that is important is how you float your fish and introduce them to the new tank.

Learn what the start up cycle is all about and how it works. Get yourself with a good test kit. That way you can hit the problem head on.

Relax, your tank needs a water change and tested. Once all the levels are back to safe, you can try ONE fish then another.

If I can help further feel free to email me.

Answer 2

Are you doing regular water changes? One of the big problems when starting a tank is that it requires "cycling" - which basically means that you have to build up "good bacteria" in your tank. This usually takes 4-6 weeks. The good bacteria will break down harmful chemicals in your water like ammonia (which is a waste product from the fish). If you don't do water changes, you may not have had enough time for the good bacteria to build up, and break down the ammonia - which could now be at high enough levels to be poisoning your fish.

What I would do is a 50% water change (take out 50% of the water, replace it with fresh water treated with Aqua Safe) and also get a lid on the tank so the fish can't jump out!!!

Answer 3

Yeah. Your tank needs to cycle. This means that when you first set up an aquarium there is no life in it. No life cycle. Beneficial bacteria need to be present in the tank for fish to be safe in it. When the water gets cloudy at first that just means the cycle is beginning. It's called "new tank syndrome". Let it clear out on its own. Let the filter run and everything, but don't put fish in at first. Adding a good handful of "used" gravel from a previously established tank will speed up the process. (I'm assuming this is a freshwater tank.) Get a handful of gravel from a friend who has an established fishtank.
After the water cleared, get some zebra danio's, they are tough enough for starter fish and see how they do. If they're fine for over a month, the tank should be ready.

Meanwhile check this site out, if you need more info:
http://www.ratemyfishtank.com/article2.php

Fish forums are also very helpful. They have all the answers.

Good luck! ....and don't give up :)

Answer 4

ok for one its not carbon that makes tap water safe for fish and yes the aqua safe does work to remove the cholorine but not really good enough. try this when you set it up again fill the tank and let it set for atleast 48 hours before adding fish have everything running though filter and your air. and for the tank getting dirty your tank needs to cycle and produce helpful bacteria this could take a month or so. the next fish you buy get a pleco depending on the size of the tank you will want to ask the pet store what pleco is the right size for your tank it will keep the alge cleared out of your tank well hope i was of some help.

Answer 5

First of all how big is your tank? and how namy fish were there in your tank when you got them. And you say that you changed the filter. Doing that may cause most of the bacteria that change the ammonia into nitrate to die because they lived there. Also Maybe cleaning it out so much may have cuased the fish stress. How often did you clean it. You should only change water once a week or 2 times if they are sick with sometiung. And the overstocking the tank-if you did- may have caused that. So there are alot of things to work with here. Post more info and I'll get right backl to you.

Answer 6

Your tank isn't cycled and the fish are suffering from accumulated ammonia. Cleaning it disturbed the process of cycling and replacing the filter also did. I understand where you're coming from, that is was dirty and all, but try doing weekly 25% water changes using a gravel siphon to keep the tank clean. That will work and not upset the cycle of the tank. FOr now, you need to change about 25%-50% of the wter daily to remove ammonia until the cycle builds up enough to handle the ammonia the fish produce. That should take about 2-3 weeks.

Many starter booklets don't cover this subject very well. Here's a link that does a good job of it to help you see what's going on with your fish and how to help the process along.

http://www.firsttankguide.net/cycle.php

Take a look at several pages on this site, there's plenty of good info there.

MM

Answer 7

You didnt let the tank cycle long enough. Chlorine in the water. Incompatable fish. Wrong tank size. It could be a number of problems.

Right now, I would suggest taking those fish back to the pet store, and letting your tank run and filter itself for a week or two, then buy a new fish. 1 or 2 at a time.

Answer 8

CYCLE. CYCLE. CYCLE.