Fish dying HELP!?

[BlaseMrNiceguy]

So I did my fishless cycle at 4ppm so I could add all my fish at once. Worked beautifully so I go to add my fish to my 55 gallon I added 9 cardinal tetras and 8 rummynose tetras. I have since lost 4 fish. Water chemistry is as follows:

Ph - 8.0-8.2
Ammo - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 40-80ppm

I understand that these are softer water fish but have also read that fish will acclimate to the Ph also I know my nitrates should probably be a little lower thus I'm doing a pwc as we speak but have read nitrates at these levels however not ideal wont kill the fish. Checked out all the dead fish and saw no signs of illness. I lost 2 rummynose and 2 cardinals, what do you guys think is going on.

 

[phoenixkiller]

So I did my fishless cycle at 4ppm so I could add all my fish at once. Worked beautifully so I go to add my fish to my 55 gallon I added 9 cardinal tetras and 8 rummynose tetras. I have since lost 4 fish. Water chemistry is as follows:

Ph - 8.0-8.2
Ammo - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 40-80ppm

I understand that these are softer water fish but have also read that fish will acclimate to the Ph also I know my nitrates should probably be a little lower thus I'm doing a pwc as we speak but have read nitrates at these levels however not ideal wont kill the fish. Checked out all the dead fish and saw no signs of illness. I lost 2 rummynose and 2 cardinals, what do you guys think is going on.

Rummynose and Cardinal tetras are one of the biggest mistakes anyone can make. Even in a 5-year-old tank, these types of fish die randomly. They require PRISTINE water conditions, and you are lucky to have ANY left...

 

[BlaseMrNiceguy]

Lol thanks I just liked them and haven't kept any before so now I know. I just figured a lot of stress was the culprit. Thanks for the input.

 

[Mumma.of.two]

It is expected to loose some. Both can be quite sensitive. How did you acclimate? Try and keep your nitrate below 20ppm.

 

[phoenixkiller]

Lol thanks I just liked them and haven't kept any before so now I know. I just figured a lot of stress was the culprit. Thanks for the input.

Yeah, no problem. Good luck with your remaining fish!!

 

[BlaseMrNiceguy]

Missing two more cardinals can't find the bodies. They may be hiding but I doubt it I'm not too worried anyways. Down to 5 cardinals and 7 rummy nose.

 

[phoenixkiller]

Missing two more cardinals can't find the bodies. They may be hiding but I doubt it I'm not too worried anyways. Down to 5 cardinals and 7 rummy nose.

I'm sorry! I hope you will have more luck when/if you get some different fish!

 

[BlaseMrNiceguy]

Going cichlids for sure when I get some more fish.

 

[librarygirl]

Could just be bad stock. Also if you acclimated them too quickly or improperly that may have been a factor also. You should try to find the dead fish and remove them and then do a 50% water change; decomposing fish will mess with your water conditions (cause nitrate, ammonia and/or nitrite to rise) and can be unhealthy for the remaining fish.

Also maybe test your tap water for nitrate, see if any are coming from there. With nitrates at 40-80 either you need to increase your water weekly water changes, you're overstocked, your tap water has high nitrate, you're overfeeding and/or the dead fish are causing them to rise.