test kit $$$

[Marxman187]

ok i went to the lfs today to look at test kits and they want almost 60$ for all the a/ni/na i wish i could but i can not afford them right now.a couple days ago i had them test some water for me and they said it was healthy but my fish have still been having problems and seem to be a little happier every time i do a wc.when they tested my water they only used one of the color test strips they wouldnt do a free liquid drop test.just another thing to add is the i happened to smell the bucket i use for wc and even after rinsing it it was so strong with something it made my nose burn. coulod this be amonia? what i mainlyu want to know is if my levels where high could io get away with doing a 50% water change every other day or so to lower it?or what do you recoomend to someone who is curently unemployed and can not afford a kit?

[msjinkzd]

sometimes if you print out an online price, petsmart will price match.

[Coler]

ze test keet she eez worth eet

[SanguineApple]

Coler, you just gave me the serious giggles.

[Marxman187]

im glad you guys are having fun dont you know there are fish at risk here!

[SanguineApple]

Whoops. Scolded.

Okay, if your nose is burning it does sound like ammonia. You do really need the test kit, but if you really can't afford it right now then water changes are your best bet. Do you have water conditioner?

[Marxman187]

well youll have to excuse my ignorance on certain fish subject im kinda new at all this but im doing my best to give these fish a good life so hard im stressing my self out to the point im about to have a heart attack.im using aquasafe drops for nuetralizing chlorine is that what you meant?

[Star_Rider]

is the bucket you use for water changes dedicated only for water changes?

any smell you have as a result of the water in the tank will smell the same in the tank.(you should be able to smell it when you open up the tank for maintenance)

[grannylvsfish]

I only paid 23.00 at walmart.com it has everything in it .

[ZSandmann]

I would recommend you use Prime or Stress Coat personally. And save for that test kit, they are $30 at PetSmart with a price match.

How old is this tank? As in, how long has it been set up? How long have fish been in it? Did you cycle the tank before you added fish?

[Marxman187]

Whoops. Scolded.

Okay, if your nose is burning it does sound like ammonia. You do really need the test kit, but if you really can't afford it right now then water changes are your best bet. Do you have water conditioner?



so do you think ill affectively be able to lower this with water changes alone? **** i nkow my lfs has got to be full of it because ive narrowed it down to either lack of oxygen or water condition

[The Zigman]

If you can smell ammonia, your levels must be toxic. definately do some major water changes. Also you could at least pick up some test strips or something for now to get an idea where your water params are, the strips are fairly cheap. Online the API freshwater master test kit is about half the price as it is at petsmarts store, print the page (from petsmart.com) and the store will have to match it. or just buy an ammonia test kit.

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2754002&cp=&sr=1&origkw=test+kit&kw=test+kit&parentPage=search&keepsr=1

[Marxman187]

is the bucket you use for water changes dedicated only for water changes?

any smell you have as a result of the water in the tank will smell the same in the tank.(you should be able to smell it when you open up the tank for maintenance)


yes it is only for water changes and i can barely get a hint of the same smell of the tank but not bearly as strong and doesnt urn of course of the tank

[Marxman187]

I would recommend you use Prime or Stress Coat personally. And save for that test kit, they are $30 at PetSmart with a price match.

How old is this tank? As in, how long has it been set up? How long have fish been in it? Did you cycle the tank before you added fish?



the tank has been set up about 2 years but lets just say the previous owner wasnt very caring.4 fish in there pleco,gaurami,and two danios have been in there 2 years the new additions wher the oscar and jd (about a month ago) which will be in their own tank soon.im so far only having problems with weird behavior in the gaurami and jd. the gaurami basically only for a day and the jd preety much ongoing but sometimes much worse than others. im trying to upload a quick video of one of his little flashing/twitching episodes but they get much worse than i was able to capture. everytime i do a wc they seem a little more active for several hours..... lack of oxygen? or signs of amonia?

[Marxman187]

If you can smell ammonia, your levels must be toxic. definately do some major water changes. Also you could at least pick up some test strips or something for now to get an idea where your water params are, the strips are fairly cheap. Online the API freshwater master test kit is about half the price as it is at petsmarts store, print the page (from petsmart.com) and the store will have to match it. or just buy an ammonia test kit.

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2754002&cp=&sr=1&origkw=test+kit&kw=test+kit&parentPage=search&keepsr=1



well im beggining to question either the smarts of my lfs or the ability of the color test strips because im preety confident that its the water. but buying only the amonia test kit isnt a bad idea becaue ni and na arent as lethal right?

[Marxman187]

If you can smell ammonia, your levels must be toxic. definately do some major water changes. Also you could at least pick up some test strips or something for now to get an idea where your water params are, the strips are fairly cheap. Online the API freshwater master test kit is about half the price as it is at petsmarts store, print the page (from petsmart.com) and the store will have to match it. or just buy an ammonia test kit.

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2754002&cp=&sr=1&origkw=test+kit&kw=test+kit&parentPage=search&keepsr=1



well im beggining to question either the smarts of my lfs or the ability of the color test strips because im preety confident that its the water. but buying only the amonia test kit isnt a bad idea becaue ni and na arent as lethal right?

[ZSandmann]

Alright a few more questions.

What size is the tank?
How often did you change the water before this began to happen?
What filter do you have, and do you have anything else such as a bubbler or airstone?

I think you may be overstocked or the new fish brought some kind of infection into the tank.

[Marxman187]

Alright a few more questions.

What size is the tank?
How often did you change the water before this began to happen?
What filter do you have, and do you have anything else such as a bubbler or airstone?

I think you may be overstocked or the new fish brought some kind of infection into the tank.



29 gallon,about 50 % once a week a soon as i got the new fish but like i said the owner before was very ignorant and said ... (you might want to sit down for this) about three times a year! nope no bubbler but im starting to think i should get one because im trying to find out the problem and oxygen seems likely to me.

[Mgamer20o0]

becaue ni and na arent as lethal right?

ammonia and nitrites are lethal.

[Marxman187]

ammonia and nitrites are lethal.


o

[krytan]

Your oscar and jd are probably to big of a bio load for a tank that small.

[The Zigman]

I suggested the Ammonia kit since we suspected ammonia in the tank.

[Marxman187]

well they are still babys and i understand i shouldnt have them in ther i plan on getting them their own tank in a month or so but until then what do you suggest just alot of water changes? how often what %?anything else i can do that wont cost a fortune?

[krytan]

How big are the oscar and jd.

I would also suggest daily water changes until the oscar and jd can be moved to a bigger tank.

[krytan]

Iv'e just noticed you have a pleco in your tank as well. Most pleco's will grow to big for 29g and have a high bio load.

As i mentioned before i think large daily water changes are going to be needed

[Marxman187]

Iv'e just noticed you have a pleco in your tank as well. Most pleco's will grow to big for 29g and have a high bio load.

As i mentioned before i think large daily water changes are going to be needed

ok so far you have had some of the best answers ive gotten today thanks. the jd and oscar are about2 1/2-3 inches and the pleco is already way to big about 11 inches i already tried to give him to the lfs but i cant get him out he ripped my net and just ran around the tank splashing and scaring all the other fish to death.i found out the hard way that he actually has some kind of defense mechanism when i thought i got bit turns out he has some kind of barbs so i dont know what to do about him.i have no problem doing water changes daily but do you think so often will be stressful?how much should i do each day?how much time do you think this will buy me to get a new tank?

[Marxman187]

ok i finally uploaded a short clip of my jd unusually behavior but it has been worse like twitchin in mid swim rubbing agaist everything and swimming diferently but no signs of ick or color difference not sure if this is amonia or early signof parasites or disease but check it out for yourself and let me know what you think

http://www.vidiLife.com/video_play_1139868_jtr.htm?tc=1091955


if you have trouble viewing this please let me know
sorry about the quality it was taken on my phone

[krytan]

I would do between 30 - 50% water changes. It will be stressfull for the fish but not as much as high ammonia levels.

[Coler]

ze test keet she eez worth eet

I'll stand over what I said. the test kit is worth the money.

without you're guessing.

[jpappy789]

I agree with what krytan said. Keep doing the wc's and invest in a liquid test kit. :)

[Coler]

ze test keet she eez worth eet

I stand over that. buy the test kit. without it you're guessing. or smelling your water.

[dudley]

I cannot view the video without a password.

Ok, you have a 29G tank. What are you using for a filter? What media do you have in it? How often do you clean the filter?

[wataugachicken]

at the very least ask for the EXACT numbers when you have the LFS test your water. don't let them just say it's good or bad. if they won't give you the actual numbers for the test result, stop going there.

as far as the pleco - no, you definitely can't use a net. try a small plastic bucket or a clean pillowcase.

[galen]

well, marx, on ebay test kits usually go for pretty cheap. also, ive used the tetra laborette kit for years and it is by far the best ive used. i have tried the aquarium pharmaceuticals, the red sea, and a few others, but only the tetra one really was easy, cheap, and very accurate. the red sea one was pretty nice though too.

here's a link to the red sea kit on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/RED-SEA-FRESH-LAB-DELUXE-TEST-KIT-FRESH-WATER-TANKS_W0QQitemZ200202393686QQihZ010QQcategoryZ2075 6QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

here's the tetra test kt:
http://www.petsolutions.com/Deluxe-Tetra-Test-Kit+I46716629+C46.aspx

[Marxman187]

at the very least ask for the EXACT numbers when you have the LFS test your water. don't let them just say it's good or bad. if they won't give you the actual numbers for the test result, stop going there.

as far as the pleco - no, you definitely can't use a net. try a small plastic bucket or a clean pillowcase.


thats the problem the kit she used was color coded no nubers and i just picked up the only thing i can afford at walmart i now have a test strip kit for amonia and one for ph level and nitrate i know they are not as good as liquid tests but they should be better than nothing for now right? i paid for both test what they want for 1 liquid test so.....?



i tried using a pitcher on him but he wont let me get any where near him and his so big im scared hell hurt one of my other fish running he already put a little cut on his tail from last time

[Marxman187]

I cannot view the video without a password.

Ok, you have a 29G tank. What are you using for a filter? What media do you have in it? How often do you clean the filter?



im not sure it will work anyway ive been trying to put it into a better format from my phone but the password should be swordfish

the filter was bran new 3 weeks ago how often should i change it?i think my filter is a 30-60 but im not sure its watever comes with the walmart 29 gallon setup sorry i cant give more details its a preety ****y hob

[Beowulff83]

new filter means new cycle

what brand of filter is in it and what type of media? never wash/rinse filter media in tap water always use tank water or you will kill bacteria

[wataugachicken]

well youll have to excuse my ignorance on certain fish subject im kinda new at all this but im doing my best to give these fish a good life so hard im stressing my self out to the point im about to have a heart attack.im using aquasafe drops for nuetralizing chlorine is that what you meant?

i think the best thing for you and the fish at this point would be to find them a new home. take a few days to see if you really want to have fishkeeping as a hobby, and then start again slooowly. take enough time to do research on the fish you like, how to cycle the tank and keep it safe, build up your budget for things you need like test kits, proper heaters, medications, chemicals, hospital tank, etc. before you try again. that way you can be prepared the next time you buy some fish. this is supposed to be overall a fun, relaxing, and enjoyable hobby, not a horrible stressful mess.

[soonerfan121]

The best way to get the pleco out is to use that torn net to chase him into your pitcher that will help reduce the bio load. Twenty five to thirty percent water changes daily and monitor temp to keep even. The big pleco though needs a new home now.

[ZSandmann]

The new filter was what I was afraid of. I don't think you have the proper bacterial colony for those fish. Here's an idea to catch the pleco. Place the picture in the tank overnight and place a blanched cucumber slice in it. Pretty much certain the pleco will go right in.

[Marxman187]

The new filter was what I was afraid of. I don't think you have the proper bacterial colony for those fish. Here's an idea to catch the pleco. Place the picture in the tank overnight and place a blanched cucumber slice in it. Pretty much certain the pleco will go right in.





aahhhh see thats the kind of answer i was looking for. i have chased the thing around the tank several times and all it does is stress me and the other fish out. i will be sure to try this thanks

[lucy42083]

i think the best thing for you and the fish at this point would be to find them a new home. take a few days to see if you really want to have fishkeeping as a hobby, and then start again slooowly. take enough time to do research on the fish you like, how to cycle the tank and keep it safe, build up your budget for things you need like test kits, proper heaters, medications, chemicals, hospital tank, etc. before you try again. that way you can be prepared the next time you buy some fish. this is supposed to be overall a fun, relaxing, and enjoyable hobby, not a horrible stressful mess.
:iagree:

You haven't said exactly what filter etc. you are running but said it was a 'kit' from Walmart and s****y, so I can pretty much guarantee that you do not have enough filtration for the JD and Oscar even WITHOUT the pleco, which just makes the bioload in that tank insane. Combined with the fact that your tank is not cycled....not good. And I know you said you 'plan' to upgrade to a bigger tank for the JD and Oscar within a few months, but, especially considering that you right now can't afford a liquid test kit (which run about $20-$30 here), I would not keep those fish to put in a tank that you may or may not get -- large setups are EXPENSIVE (much more so than a 29G walmart kit and a test kit...) and who knows what may happen between now and then with your money situation. And if something happens and it turns out you can't afford a whole new setup, then your fish will definitely die. If you care about their health and comfort, I would try to rehome all the fish and start over, after doing a ton of research, as watauga said above.

[Marxman187]

:iagree:

You haven't said exactly what filter etc. you are running but said it was a 'kit' from Walmart and s****y, so I can pretty much guarantee that you do not have enough filtration for the JD and Oscar even WITHOUT the pleco, which just makes the bioload in that tank insane. Combined with the fact that your tank is not cycled....not good. And I know you said you 'plan' to upgrade to a bigger tank for the JD and Oscar within a few months, but, especially considering that you right now can't afford a liquid test kit (which run about $20-$30 here), I would not keep those fish to put in a tank that you may or may not get -- large setups are EXPENSIVE (much more so than a 29G walmart kit and a test kit...) and who knows what may happen between now and then with your money situation. And if something happens and it turns out you can't afford a whole new setup, then your fish will definitely die. If you care about their health and comfort, I would try to rehome all the fish and start over, after doing a ton of research, as watauga said above.



i finally got a test kit and everything was fine except my amonia was a tad to high but suprisingly not at a lethal level yet.for the past three days i have done a 50% wc every day so by now i think the water is safe and i plan on doing 50% water changes 3 times a week until i get a bigger tank. i just got approved for my surgery so i should be back to work in no time but i just cant see myself giving away my fish i love so much unless i thought they where really unhappy or dying.

[krytan]

Keep up the water changes, You'll need a 100g+ tank soon though as oscars grow really quickly and are very messy.

[wataugachicken]

how bad does it have to be before you start thinking they might be unhappy and unhealthy in that tiny, underfiltered, overstocked tank? your "love" for the fish is blinding you to the true situation. sometimes loving your pet means finding it a safe and healthy home, even if that home is not with you. it's nothing to feel bad about.

[Marxman187]

Keep up the water changes, You'll need a 100g+ tank soon though as oscars grow really quickly and are very messy.


you dont think a 55 galloon would house the jd and oacar alone for a year or so?cuz thats what i was planning on getting but you think 100 is really min?

[krytan]

yes 100g is the min for them

[lucy42083]

Yeah 100G would be the minimum if you kept both the oscar and the JD. If you just kept one OR the other, I'd still say absolute minimum of 75G. I know it's tough to give up pets once you've become attached, but it's in their best interest. A 29G could be a great, peaceful and healthy community tank with the right fish in it.

[Coler]

i finally got a test kit and everything was fine except my amonia was a tad to high but suprisingly not at a lethal level yet.


the only safe reading is 0

[duke33]

you dont think a 55 galloon would house the jd and oacar alone for a year or so?cuz thats what i was planning on getting but you think 100 is really min?Not enough room. To many water changes can end in disaster also. Sounds like you don't have the money to keep these guys. Find a good home for them and start fresh. You need to cycle a tank (you'll just have to read up on that). After, slowly add fish. Look around the pet stores. DO your homework! Fish are more demanding than cats or dogs, At times. Good luck with your new hobby, listen to these guys, they know what they are talking about. Good fishkeeping. Duke.