Help my platys!

[surfbird]

This is my first tank (10 gals) and I've only had it since this May. I started with 2 mickey platys and the platy with the black fins. The blk finned platy died 2 months later, a week after that a mickey died. I got another mickey platy and added air with the air stone and everything was good for awhile. So I got 3 tetras which are doing fine so far. That was more than a week ago now the new mickey is dying and the only original mickey isn't looking too good either. Tetras still look ok.

I test the water weekly and it's alway ok. I do the 1/4 water change every 2 weeks. But these 2 fish started acting sick the day after I put in some stress zyme and I'm wondering if this is killing them. I had bought some aquarium salt but I wasn't sure if I should add it because of the tetras, do they like the salt too?

What am I doing wrong? It takes a week for these fish to finally die and it kills me to watch them. Even the other platy won't leave the dying fishes side. Isn't that sad?

Any advice welcome. Thanks.

[Hooked Newbie]

I test the water weekly and it's alway ok. I do the 1/4 water change every 2 weeks.

What am I doing wrong? It takes a week for these fish to finally die and it kills me to watch them. Even the other platy won't leave the dying fishes side. Isn't that sad?

Any advice welcome. Thanks.

What are your actual readings for Nitrite, Ammonia, and Nitrate? What type of tests are you using (strip or liquid)? Did you cycle the tank first? What size tank and what inhabitants? Filter?

It's very sad. Been there. More details and Im sure the folks here can help. You should change your water more frequently, at least 25% per week if not more. Try to do big changes (50-75%) a couple times per week until the fish turn around. The test results are probably key as this sounds like a possible ammonia problem.

[surfbird]

I cycled the water 5 days before adding fish.

10 gallon tank (bought as a kit, came w/ filter & heater)
Topfin 10 filter
5 gal air pump w/ air stone

To test water I'm using Jungle Quick Dip test strips
Ammonia .25
Nitrate 20
Nitrite 0
Hardness 150
Alkalinity 120
Ph 7.2 - 7.8

Stress zyme 5ml every 1-2 weeks
water conditioner @ water changes

[surfbird]

Oh wow, my neighbor just told me my fish have ick. I borrowed her bottle of ick stuff and will have to buy some tomorrow. I couldn't really see it on the 2 platys but it really shows on the 3 black skirt tetras. I hope they will be ok. I never dreamed having fish would be so complicated. I guess this is why my platy died today.

[jm1212]

if the fish look like they have grains of salt on them, then that is ich.

test strips are inaccurate. buy a liquid test kit, namley the Master Test kit by API.

water changes should be done every week.

[sspitfire]

Read the various articles on "cycling", since you only "ran" the tank 5 days before you added fish, it definitely did not cycle.

[Marinemom]

In order to cycle the tank needs to go through the nitrogen cycle which can take anywhere from 4-6 weeks on average. Letting the tank run for five days with out doing anything else is just letting the tank run for five days to stabilize the water conditions such as temperature and PH and to make sure the equipment on the tank is operating correctly. To get the nitrogen cycle going you have to add a source of ammonia which you did by adding the fish. Their waste will produce the ammonia needed to cycle the tank. However it is better to cycle the tank without fish but since you have the fish already then you will have to do what you can to keep the fish safe and happy during this process which means a lot of water changes for you and your fish. Generally you will see 2-3 weeks of ammonia and then it will drop to 0 followed by 2-3 weeks of nitrites which will also drop to 0 and then you will start to see the presence of nitrates which means that the tank is cycled at that time. Ideally you want to keep the ammonia and the nitrites at 0 consistently and the nitrates should be under 20 or it is unsafe for the fish. During the cycling process you will need to keep the ammonia and or the nitrite at .25 or less to keep the fish safe. If the tests read more then .25 at any given time then you will need to do a water change. Sometimes you will need to do more then one water change a day to keep the levels where they should be. Forget the strips. They are wildly inaccurate and give false readings. Get a liquid test kit. They are the best. You are going to need it in order to know where your readings are at all times with this tank. I would recommend Aquarium Pharmeceuticals Master Freshwater Test Kit. It is the best one on the market for freshwater setups. Just follow the directions and you will be fine.

Good luck with it and keep us posted.

Marinemom

[emmadavis102]

your tank should be cycled by now though shouldnt it? dont worry about the ick it could happen to anyone. and the cures the sell in fish shops are usually realli affective since its such a common disease