Is Everything really going ok??
- Thread starter becky
- Start date
Now the other blue with out yellow tail looks like he might do the same. Is this normal?? Should I check my tank levels>? Is it time for a water changed already>>>
caymanlovers
Member
Your tank is cycling and you often lose fish in the process. (I call them "pioneer fish".) That is why some people advocate using cocktail shrimp to cycle - that way no fish are sacrificed.
Your ammonia is going up and it is toxic to the fish but it has to get to a certain level and then bacteria will start consuming it and producing nitites and then converting that to nitrates. A water change right now will probably just slow the cycle.
Your ammonia is going up and it is toxic to the fish but it has to get to a certain level and then bacteria will start consuming it and producing nitites and then converting that to nitrates. A water change right now will probably just slow the cycle.
youbetyourwrasse
New Member
Hi Becky.
I'd have to say 'no,' everything is NOT okay. Fish loss may be acceptable to some people during cycling, but it's not to me and as you sound upset, I'd guess it's not to you either.
You ask if you should check your tank levels? Does that imply you haven't? And if not, how can you moniter the progress of the cycle if you don't check at least once a day? Yes, check them. Make sure you have test kits for Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate and pH at least. Of these Ammonia is the most toxic, though the more things out-of-whack the more dangerous the situation becomes.
4 Damsels is too many fish, IMO! Do you have any LR? Did you "seed" the tank with any substrate from an established tank? If not, do so now. See if the LFS will take back 2 of the remaining fish and see about getting a small (5 lbs) piece of LR. Or ask them to give you a handful of substrate from one of their established tanks. Even a decoration from a mature tank can "seed" your system with 'beneficial bacteria' and speed up cycling. IMO it will also result in a more thorough cycling and stable system, so that when you add a new fish you don't have a huge 'cycle' all over again.
While the LFS may have meant well, they are no substitute for personal knowledge. Plan to do a lot of reading once you get this situation under control. Why was this person telling you how "fun" the fish would be instead of going over the important points of a new tank?
Only do a partial water change if Ammonia levels are critical. Better yet, return 2 of the fish! And add the LR/substrate etc.
STOP FEEDING if you have critical levels! Trust me, the fish will do much better going hungry for 3 or 4 days than they will swimming in a persistant toxic stew that they are contributing to!
I'd have to say 'no,' everything is NOT okay. Fish loss may be acceptable to some people during cycling, but it's not to me and as you sound upset, I'd guess it's not to you either.
You ask if you should check your tank levels? Does that imply you haven't? And if not, how can you moniter the progress of the cycle if you don't check at least once a day? Yes, check them. Make sure you have test kits for Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate and pH at least. Of these Ammonia is the most toxic, though the more things out-of-whack the more dangerous the situation becomes.
4 Damsels is too many fish, IMO! Do you have any LR? Did you "seed" the tank with any substrate from an established tank? If not, do so now. See if the LFS will take back 2 of the remaining fish and see about getting a small (5 lbs) piece of LR. Or ask them to give you a handful of substrate from one of their established tanks. Even a decoration from a mature tank can "seed" your system with 'beneficial bacteria' and speed up cycling. IMO it will also result in a more thorough cycling and stable system, so that when you add a new fish you don't have a huge 'cycle' all over again.
While the LFS may have meant well, they are no substitute for personal knowledge. Plan to do a lot of reading once you get this situation under control. Why was this person telling you how "fun" the fish would be instead of going over the important points of a new tank?
Only do a partial water change if Ammonia levels are critical. Better yet, return 2 of the fish! And add the LR/substrate etc.
STOP FEEDING if you have critical levels! Trust me, the fish will do much better going hungry for 3 or 4 days than they will swimming in a persistant toxic stew that they are contributing to!