knucklebuster28
Aquarium Advice Newbie
- Joined
- Mar 14, 2021
- Messages
- 2
First post besides member intro. The set up, Petco's 29 gal. aquarium kit, 40 lbs medium gravel substrate, 3 plastic plants of different heights, one small castle, a medium sized rock arch with hiding spots, and finally 2 4" air stones. Tank was set up on 3-13-2021, so have started out on a fishless cycle. Petco told us to wait a week running tank, test ph and test for ammonia. At the end of the first week am tests, ph at 6.5 ammonia was at 0. That afternoon went to Petsmart and got 2 neon terras, and 2 platys. did the 15 minute wait with fish bobbin in bag before adding them to tank. 2 hours later could tell fish stressing, not swimming well, difficult breathing. Next morning all 4 dead. took fish back to Petsmart along with a sample of water from the tank. water checked out good with their test strips. I did not purchase anymore fish, as I wanted to learn more on what happened or better to say what didn't happen. Most importantly learned the tank was not cycled!!!! Still not completely cycled yet. have done 2 50% waterer changes, each time adding Top Fin ready start bacteria, and Top Fin conditioner. Now have a Fluval 4 in 1 master test kit( expiration date 07-2024). I also changed the filters in the HOB to a fiber medium and added a foam block to the intake tube of the filter. One because 2 of the dead fish where stuck to the intake tube, and second for the extra media for bacteria. For 2 weeks I have done nothing to tank, just let it run adding a pinch of fish food once a day. Today tested water; ph @7.5 ammonia @ 1.2 nitrite @0.3. Did not test nitrates because test for nitrates stated that a high nitrite reading would affect a nitrate reading. Sorry for such a long post, just hoping my lesson helps someone else.