did new plastic plant killed my fish?

[RANNIT2]

1. i rinsed the plant before i placed it in. should i have rinsed with hot water or some solution to clean it more thoroughly. i dont know.
2. the strange thing is that both fishes seemed in good health prior to that. one, black skirt tetra lived for about 2.5 years and survived/recovered from illness about year ago. other one, i dont know what kind, black/about inch long, likes eating algae, i bought 3 months ago.
3. changed water, for the last 2 days everythings seems fine.

[RANNIT2]

help!!!! algae came back on the sides of aquarium within a week. one more fish is about to crap out.

[Purrbox]

Can you describe the algae? You could check Steve Hampton's Algae Page or GWAPA's Algae Page for help in identifying it.

It doesn't appear that you've ever posted your Nitrate levels. If you don't have a test for Nitrates, it may be advisable to take a water sample to your LFS for testing.

Do you have small children? If so check the aquarium in case they may have dropped something into the aquarium that is harming the fish. Also check the equipment (thermometer, heater, etc.) for damage.

[meegosh]

Originally Posted by RANNIT2

ammonia 0
nitrite 0
ph 7.0

These are your old readings, how about a more up-to-date reading including a nitrAte reading? Also, which type of fish is suffering now? Any physical signs of disease? White spots? Fins nipped? There's many things that can cause this but I've gone through probably 15 fake plants in the 2 years I've had my 10gal and never had any problems. Some came from walmart, some from petco and other places.

I usually rinse mine with the water I take out when I do a water change. Regular tap water should be fine I would think though, or it wouldn't cause this kind of damage.

[RANNIT2]

one week passed since i changed water last time. no fish deaths so far since then. nitrate 5-10, ph 7.6, ammonia 0.5, nitrite 0. i have not noticed any obvious signs on the fishes, no spots, nipped fins, nothing bloated. 2 fishes that are left are still hungry. Comparative to prior water changes no new algae on the walls. Algae that i scraped before looked brownish.
please advice about further course of action

[Purrbox]

If the Ammonia level gets any higher make sure to do a water change immediately. Looks like your either cycling or experiancing a mini cycle.

[meegosh]

I agree with Joy, I might even consider doing a water change now. It does seem like you are in a mini-cycle, keep up on the water changes and watch your parameters.