New 10 Gal tank

[almcloud]

I have new 10 Gal tank. Had it for 7 days with fish and 6 days before that without fish. Was sold by "Mom's & Pop's" shop 6 fish: 2 chiclids, 2 corys, 1 Pangasius Shark and 1 Black Ghost. Took a qater sample and told that water was good. Gave back the shark when found out how large it will get and lost the Ghost Fish today :-( . Went to another fish store yesterday with water sample and found out that my Ammonia level is high (7.0) and I need to take immediate action. Change 30% of water, put live bacteria 3 days from now (every day once) to lower Ammonia and change filter. Also advised not to feed the fish till Wed to prevent waste and take another water sample then. What is your take on all this story? I feel really bad for my poor ghost fish and I am mad because I think now that I was sold too many fish, too soon :-(

 

[steez]

You need to return the fish you have right now back to the store if you can.

Your toxin's are way over, and you are overstocked. You need to research how to correctly cycle a tank to make it safe for fish. The nitrogen cycle ammonia>nitrite>nitrate. Before adding new fish you'll want to read this http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forum...guide-and-faq-to-fishless-cycling-148283.html

what kind of corys are they? all cichlids are too big for 10g.

also...if for some reason you'd like to just keep going the way you are... this article may help you I just learned about cycling but I already have fish. What now?!


Anyways... don't feel too bad, a lot of people make the mistakes you did. Me being one of them, the best thing you can do for your fish is get them a new home and prepare your tank correctly.

A fishless cycle is much faster, and establishes the BB(Better bacteria) that you need in your tank for your fish to be safe. Having fish in your tank while your tank cycles is muuuuch more work, 1-2 times a day changing your water, testing etc etc.

Post here with your updates and people will be able to help you with starting your cycle, and what kind of fish you can fit into a 10g

 

[GoldenPlecTony]

Do you know anyone with a fish tank that has already cycled it? You could be nice to them and ask for you to borrow some of their used filter media and add it to your tank to quicken the cycling process up ... Just thinking in the short term thats all, along with the frequent water changes you might not lose any more fish.

 

[almcloud]

Sorry guys, I was off on my Ammonia, it is 4.0 according to the person at the fish store (used colored liquid little botles, four of them).
PH: 7.6
Ammonia: 4.0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0
Will measure it again tomorrow.
Will try to find them a temp house.
I have a 2.5 gal empty tank, can it be of any use at all?

 

[almcloud]

I have 3 Green Corys
The Chiclids are 1 Bolivian Ram and 1 German Blu Ram (when I researched about all 4 fish, my understanding was that they should be fine in a 10 gal tank)
Also, I am planning to get a 75 gal tank in a few mos. Started with smaller tank to learn about fish care first Last time I had fish was about 18 yrs ago when technology was pretty behind, and I only had a fee hardy fish.

 

[almcloud]

I am thinking to take my 4 fish (2 chiclids & 2 corys) back until I bring the water to proper Ammonia level.
If that's a good think to do should I do a total water change and start fresh or 75% water change? I could clean gravel and fake plants too. I might have overfed them because I can see some waste food thru the gravel and plants. Pls let me know. Ty

 

[absolutangel04]

I am thinking to take my 4 fish (2 chiclids & 2 corys) back until I bring the water to proper Ammonia level.
If that's a good think to do should I do a total water change and start fresh or 75% water change? I could clean gravel and fake plants too. I might have overfed them because I can see some waste food thru the gravel and plants. Pls let me know. Ty

I think it would be best to return all your fish. Rams are NOT a good choice for fish-in cycling and would likely die before the process is complete. They tend to be sensitive.
Did you read the cycling guides that were posted?
Also, sorry to say, but I don't think 10 gallons is enough for any of the fish you had. Corys should be in schools of at least 4 and the only corys suitable for a 10 gallon are pygmy corys. Also, I do not think 10 gallons is enough for 2 rams, especially not for 2 different species of ram cichlid. Some people do keep rams in a 10, but I do not recommend it. The best thing to do would be to return your fish and read the cycling guides. If you do choose to do a fish-in cycle, pick a species who is more hardy and pay very close attention to the changing water parameters.

 

[aqua_chem]

Minimum of 20 gallons for a single ram, but even that would be pushing it imo. Green cories are one if the larger cories if I recall correctly, and as such have no business in a 10g. Panda cories or any of the pygmy cories would be ok, but if you stock the proper number of them you shouldn't put any other fish in there.

I would probably go back to square one if I were you. At the very least get those rams out of there.

 

[almcloud]

Thanks guys, will do

 

[maxwellag]

I am thinking to take my 4 fish (2 chiclids & 2 corys) back until I bring the water to proper Ammonia level.
If that's a good think to do should I do a total water change and start fresh or 75% water change? I could clean gravel and fake plants too. I might have overfed them because I can see some waste food thru the gravel and plants. Pls let me know. Ty

Just saying, "proper" ammonia level is no ammonia level. Just wanted to make that clear.

 

[almcloud]

Thank you. 0 Ammonia, got it

 

[almcloud]

I was able to take 2 fish back, but the "SPECIALIST" who sold me all wrong fish (black ghost & pangasius shark) won't take back my Blue Ram and the Green Cory :-(
I took ur advise and just bought the API kit. Also got a vacuum because my water has lots of decomposed food (might have overfed :-( I was hoping to be explained the right amount of food) ... I also got food that actualy flotes, the one the "SPECIALIST" sold me was sinking and the only happy campers were my Corys.
I will post shortly my new measurements.

 

[maxwellag]

I was able to take 2 fish back, but the "SPECIALIST" who sold me all wrong fish (black ghost & pangasius shark) won't take back my Blue Ram and the Green Cory :-(
I took ur advise and just bought the API kit. Also got a vacuum because my water has lots of decomposed food (might have overfed :-( I was hoping to be explained the right amount of food) ... I also got food that actualy flotes, the one the "SPECIALIST" sold me was sinking and the only happy campers were my Corys.
I will post shortly my new measurements.

Ok. So unless you can have someone else take your remaing two fis hfor a while, your going to have to keep them. Your best option is to just keep them in the tank, and do a fish in cycle, that way you don't have to rehome them. You will need to test the water atleast every day, and do water changes if necessary. Also post your parameters as much as you can, so we can give you more advice.

 

[almcloud]

Im happy to say that my parameters are changing to better
++++++++++++++++++++++++
P.H: 7.6 (on Sun it was 7.6)
Ammonia: 1.0 (on Sun 4.0!!)
Nitrite: 0 (on Sun was 0)
Nitrate: 5.0 ( on Sun was 0)
It looks much better, right?
++++++++++++++++++++++++
Another thing I think is causing the cloudy water is the fact that I possibly didn't rinse/activate filter carbon enough. What do u think?

 

[absolutangel04]

Good to see you have some nitrates showing up. Lots of new tanks get cloudy because of all sorts of reasons. As long as it clears up with regular water changes, don't worry about it.

 

[almcloud]

Good to see you have some nitrates showing up. Lots of new tanks get cloudy because of all sorts of reasons. As long as it clears up with regular water changes, don't worry about it.

Thanks a lot