BrookeAlexis
Aquarium Advice Newbie
Hello everyone!
I just wanted to start off by saying I am learning SO much from reading these forums, so I am seeking some advice for a beginner!
Some background:
I have always wanted a fish tank. I recently purchased the Fluval 32.5 gallon flex kit. I have all my beginner supplies (substrates, plants/decor, filter media, light, etc.) and I got the tank set up. The first mistake I can now identify I made, was that when I read I should rinse everything before using, I rinsed the filter and media in tap water (not the dechlorinated water)
After filling my tank with water, I added Dechlorinator. I have been doing a lot of research from forums, YouTube, Aquariums for Dummies about cycling a new tank. After about a day or so, I added a liquid bacteria starter. About two days after this, I had cloudy water which I assume is a bacteria bloom.
With all the research I did, I presumed this was a good sign (I now see after reading these forums that this may not be a good sign- that this is the bad type of bacteria). I texted my water frequently and ran my tank without fish for a week.
After a week (so, two days ago) I decided I wanted to add some fish to assist with the tank cycle. I went to a local, very large, dedicated aquarium store. I also brought a water sample and they tested to determine that all of my parameters are good (ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate 5). At the advice of the staff, I purchased four tetras- two bloodfins and two black neons.
I followed all of the steps to acclimate the fish- acclimating them over the span of 1.5 hours before they were fully released into the tank. Everyone appeared happy, although this morning (like 18 hours after introduced into the tank) the two bloodfins were dead. I removed them ASAP, brought them to the store with a separate water sample for testing. All the water parameters were the same. I then purchased two leopard danios as the employees i talked to said they are hearty and would likely survive any new tank even though my water parameters are ideal. Now, tonight, one of the black neons is dead and the last of the tetras seems like he is on his way out. I just now texted the water again- ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate 5.
A few things:
1. I am reading now about the bacterial bloom and I don’t think I had enough surface agitation to compensate for this, so I am wondering if the fish died from slow oxygen depletion. Is this likely given the timing of their deaths?
Further info: I have since Increased the surface agitation as much as I possibly can, and removed the tank lid with attached light completely to increase any surface air I can get
2. Even with my above water testing, could it be possible that my tank never cycled to begin with? I am not seeing signs that it is starting to have an ammonia spike...but would you anticipate this to happen soon?
3. Any additional advice you have is helpful and extremely welcomed. What should my next steps be?
Thank you!!!
I just wanted to start off by saying I am learning SO much from reading these forums, so I am seeking some advice for a beginner!
Some background:
I have always wanted a fish tank. I recently purchased the Fluval 32.5 gallon flex kit. I have all my beginner supplies (substrates, plants/decor, filter media, light, etc.) and I got the tank set up. The first mistake I can now identify I made, was that when I read I should rinse everything before using, I rinsed the filter and media in tap water (not the dechlorinated water)
After filling my tank with water, I added Dechlorinator. I have been doing a lot of research from forums, YouTube, Aquariums for Dummies about cycling a new tank. After about a day or so, I added a liquid bacteria starter. About two days after this, I had cloudy water which I assume is a bacteria bloom.
With all the research I did, I presumed this was a good sign (I now see after reading these forums that this may not be a good sign- that this is the bad type of bacteria). I texted my water frequently and ran my tank without fish for a week.
After a week (so, two days ago) I decided I wanted to add some fish to assist with the tank cycle. I went to a local, very large, dedicated aquarium store. I also brought a water sample and they tested to determine that all of my parameters are good (ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate 5). At the advice of the staff, I purchased four tetras- two bloodfins and two black neons.
I followed all of the steps to acclimate the fish- acclimating them over the span of 1.5 hours before they were fully released into the tank. Everyone appeared happy, although this morning (like 18 hours after introduced into the tank) the two bloodfins were dead. I removed them ASAP, brought them to the store with a separate water sample for testing. All the water parameters were the same. I then purchased two leopard danios as the employees i talked to said they are hearty and would likely survive any new tank even though my water parameters are ideal. Now, tonight, one of the black neons is dead and the last of the tetras seems like he is on his way out. I just now texted the water again- ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate 5.
A few things:
1. I am reading now about the bacterial bloom and I don’t think I had enough surface agitation to compensate for this, so I am wondering if the fish died from slow oxygen depletion. Is this likely given the timing of their deaths?
Further info: I have since Increased the surface agitation as much as I possibly can, and removed the tank lid with attached light completely to increase any surface air I can get
2. Even with my above water testing, could it be possible that my tank never cycled to begin with? I am not seeing signs that it is starting to have an ammonia spike...but would you anticipate this to happen soon?
3. Any additional advice you have is helpful and extremely welcomed. What should my next steps be?
Thank you!!!