peachykeen
Aquarium Advice Apprentice
Hi guys!
I have had fish for years and then went on a two year hiatus when my fish finally died out after many years of companionship. I've always had fresh water aquariums, with gouramis, guppies, tetras, mollies, goldfish, snails, bettas, etc. I've never ever had problems with my tanks, my fish always lasted a long time and were healthy, but I have recently moved to a lake and we are on well water. I did some research before buying but apparently there is really nothing I can do to soften the water. Well, i should have researched what FISH to buy, it never even crossed my mind that certain breeds can handle hard water better.
Two weeks ago I bought 4 big tetras, one as all pink, one was all blue, two were lined with bright purple, they were very pretty. In two days, the purples died but the two others seemed very hardy. I thought it might be an issue with the supplier as the store was a small local one and had barely any stock in it, and told me they had an Ick problem. I then bought from PetSmart last weekend 5 neon tetras, 2 other breed I cant recall, and a jumbo shrimp. One neon tetra was unwell from purchase but I live too far to bring it back, and it died within 3days (it constantly bobbed at the surface) Another tetra died and both of the unknown breed died as well. Yesterday my pretty blue tetra died and I am just so sad. It's hard flushing fish, I have NEVER had this problem before and its heartbreaking.
I am going to test the PH later this week but I know the problem would be the hard water. Or could it be stress from a new aquarium?? I was considering getting feeder fish to start out with but the fish guy from the local store talked me out of it so I didnt. Now I wish I had.
What fish can I get that thrive in a hard water environment? A quick google search has given me some conflicting information.
I feel so terribly that all these fish have died, what can I do differently? I want to learn.
Thank you for reading this
I have had fish for years and then went on a two year hiatus when my fish finally died out after many years of companionship. I've always had fresh water aquariums, with gouramis, guppies, tetras, mollies, goldfish, snails, bettas, etc. I've never ever had problems with my tanks, my fish always lasted a long time and were healthy, but I have recently moved to a lake and we are on well water. I did some research before buying but apparently there is really nothing I can do to soften the water. Well, i should have researched what FISH to buy, it never even crossed my mind that certain breeds can handle hard water better.
Two weeks ago I bought 4 big tetras, one as all pink, one was all blue, two were lined with bright purple, they were very pretty. In two days, the purples died but the two others seemed very hardy. I thought it might be an issue with the supplier as the store was a small local one and had barely any stock in it, and told me they had an Ick problem. I then bought from PetSmart last weekend 5 neon tetras, 2 other breed I cant recall, and a jumbo shrimp. One neon tetra was unwell from purchase but I live too far to bring it back, and it died within 3days (it constantly bobbed at the surface) Another tetra died and both of the unknown breed died as well. Yesterday my pretty blue tetra died and I am just so sad. It's hard flushing fish, I have NEVER had this problem before and its heartbreaking.
I am going to test the PH later this week but I know the problem would be the hard water. Or could it be stress from a new aquarium?? I was considering getting feeder fish to start out with but the fish guy from the local store talked me out of it so I didnt. Now I wish I had.
What fish can I get that thrive in a hard water environment? A quick google search has given me some conflicting information.
I feel so terribly that all these fish have died, what can I do differently? I want to learn.
Thank you for reading this