Please help major problem and death!!

[cherokeeluvr]

I don't know what is wrong but in the last two days I have had 2 guppies, 2 neon tetras, 2 rummy nose tetras, and one snail die! I don't understand! I has added 3 guppies and one snail to my 10 gallon tank the day before the deaths began... I had my water tested and the nitrite was high so I cleaned the tank and changed about 1/3 of the water out. Went to the petstore yesterday and they said I had a few problems. I got something for inside the filter to lower nitrites. Also bought test strips. everything was at a perfect level except my alkalinity was super low and my water hardness was really high! I don't know how to fix these things!! I have googled and just aren't getting good answers. I'm so worried for my fish! Every time I think it looks good I come back to dead fish! I'm so worried!! All of my fish were old ones so I can't even replace them! But the remaining fish look good.. But not to say in an hour they won't be dead! In worried for my more expensive fish :/ for just replacing them costs... SOMEBODY PLEASE COMMENT AND EXPLAIN THIS TO ME AND HOW I NEED TO FIX IT! I just signed up for this forum since I'm going crazy!!!!!

 

[gilpi]

Let's take it from the beginning ..... You haven't cycled your tank, right?

 

[cherokeeluvr]

Cycling is like what to do when you first start a stank right? Like the time it takes for it all to balance out? Cause if so then yes it's been running for over 6 months and I haven't had any problems..

 

[Polkadots]

If you mean you set up the tank and turned on the filter for over 6 months without adding any ammonia... Unfortunately, no, and you're in for a bit of work! Read this article:
I just learned about cycling but I already have fish. What now?! - Aquarium Advice

 

[cherokeeluvr]

Ok great thanks! I just bought easy balance and put that in there to see if that would help a little bit..

 

[Mr. Green]

I would get rid of the test strips and purchase a test kit (API Freshwater Kit). Check your water regularly.

 

[Polkadots]

I would get rid of the test strips and purchase a test kit (API Freshwater Kit). Check your water regularly.

I agree. They're pricey but worth it. You'll be using it constantly.

 

[cherokeeluvr]

Ok... I just bought the strips I will get through them then buy the better one

 

[Polkadots]

During your cycle, you'll probably be using them once a day at least. Keep us updated!

 

[cherokeeluvr]

Ok I will!! Thank you!

 

[44Paps44]

how many total fish left in the tank currently?

 

[cherokeeluvr]

Remaining I have:
. 2 snails
. 1 tiny sucker fish
. One other sucker fish ( bigger but still small)
. 2 young cherry barbs
. 3 young neon tetras
. 2 guppies
. 1 small platy
. Two small glass fish
. And 2 dwarf garamis (the are still pretty young)


Just did a water change a few days ago and am going one today. The nitrites are perfect and everything is perfectly balanced except the alkalinity it low and the water is hard.

 

[Angela1108]

All of this is in a 10 gallon? It seems a bit over stocked which also means levels of ammonia and nitrite are going to get lethal quickly in a tank that isn't fully cycled


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[cherokeeluvr]

Yes a 10 gallon. It has been running for over 6 months and I have had the water check many times and the ammonia and nitrite levels are right were they should be. I clean the tank out quite a bit and do water changes too.

 

[44Paps44]

Does seem overstocked (even though they are all babies) for your tank. But you're definitely overstocked for a fish in cycle.

You're using strips so I wouldn't be confident your water parameters are fine (thus the occurring deaths).

Suggest finding a temporary home and doing a proper cycle before bringing them back. As was suggested, go with the API test kit.

 

[cherokeeluvr]

How do I do the cycle? And they aren't all babies they are just all small fish I don't have any over two inches and most of them are less than an inch long. I will buy the proper test lot soon though.

 

[44Paps44]

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f12/fish-in-cycling-step-over-into-the-dark-side-176446.html

key point:

Planning phase-
The basic idea behind this method is to keep stocking and waste production at a minimum, this will, in essence, keep toxin levels minimal as well, so that the fish are not subject to any extreme toxin spikes.
STOCK LIGHTLY. I cannot emphasize this more, STOCK LIGHTLY, less is more. My rule of thumb for stocking levels while fish-in cycling is to stock only small fish at first. This can be a larger species, as long as it's small at the time of cycling.

A 1-2" fish size is ideal.

 

[PerfectDepth]

I'm not sure this is is cycling issue. Sounds like you were fully cycled if your fish have survived for 6 months, and you're just now having problems. Your tank is a bit overstocked, and probably unstable. 3 adult guppies is a lot to add to a 10 gallon at once. Your biofilter couldn't handle the extra load, so you had a mini-cycle.

A 10 gallon is somewhat limited as to what you can stock. If the sucker fish is a common pleco, it's going to grow way too big for your tank. If so, it needs to be re-homed. I would also re-home the platy and cherry barbs, and either the guppies or gouramis as well. Re-home at least one of the gouramis anyway - they are likely both male DGs and most likely won't get along with each other in a 10 gallon once they're mature. Most of these fish will work in a 10 gallon, but you'll have to decide which ones you like best. Also, if you want to keep the neons, the more the better since they're schooling fish. So 5 or 6 at minimum is recommended. Go to aqadvisor.com to get a general idea of your stocking level, and try entering different combinations of fish to see what your options are.

 

[Angela1108]

I would honestly get rid of the gourami sand barbs. Like someone else mentioned tetras do best in groups of 6 or more


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[cherokeeluvr]

Ok thanks everybody! And like I had said it has been perfect for 6 months with no deaths at all just when I added the new fish and did a water cabbage is when I had the problems. The Pleco is a small version that will stay under 4 inches. Why should I regime the platy and cherry barbs? I had 5 neons but they had started dying. I was planning on moving the guppies to a smaller tank but I needed that one to have more time cycling before I added those but it doesn't matter anymore since they are dead... How big do the Dwarf Gouramis get? I didn't think they got big. They seem to actually be pretty good together I haven't ever seen them fight they just swim along close to eachother most of the time. But every now and then I see them with their noses at the other ones butt and they shake... I didn't know what that meant but they aren't aggressive the just do the little shake then swim apart...