I can't make my tetras happy

[Danio35]

My poor tetras just seem plain miserable. They just sit at the bottom and rarely explore the tank. Is this normal behavior for them? I had an outbreak of Ich and used methyline green one day until I noticed it said not to use it on Tetras. I got a copper formulation today. I believe I also had an outbreak of finrot/cottonmouth and have been feeding medicated pellets for the past 3 days. The finrot/cottonmouth looks better, but they seem so stressed!

I have hard alkaline agua. pH of 8.4. I've been thinking of looking into dropping the pH, but am afraid that that would be a huge mistake. The guy at the pet store told me I could buy some RO H2O for them and use it in my partial H20 changes. Is this a good idea?

I just want my tetras to like me

 

[rubysoho]

a steady pH is much better than trying to buffer your water with chemicals. When you get everyone treated and you think the tank is disease free, try adding a small school of 5 zebra danios. These danios will make the tetras feels as though the tank is safe and nobody is "out there" to eat them.

 

[Danio35]

Thanks Rubysoho,

That's what I thought would probably be the answer. I do have 5 danios that I just moved to my new cycled 55-gal. I planned on using the 10-gal as a QT and then moving them there. I moved the Danios yesterday and I didn't think of it, but they did seem happier when they were together.

Thanks!

Michelle