More newbie questions, sure enough.

[sacrificetheory]

I set up a 10 gallon a few months ago and though it was doing wonderfully. All my fish were eating like pigs, and everything was fine.
Well, about a week ago I guess something in my water got too high and my fish started dropping like flies regardless of the water changes I did and everything.
Everything I have is from Wal-Mart. I live in the middle of nowhere and that's the only resource for aquarium supplies I have.
Now, I want to just start over and I need some advice on what to do.
I've been reading up on cycling, but I'm pretty sure I can't get ahold of any pure ammonia.
The filter I have is just the basic Aqua-Tech 5-15. Will this be fine or should I order something better online?
I only have the basic gravel at the moment, but I'm going to try and get some Flourite from here. Any good sites with the cheapest prices?
I have a heater, but I could use a new one. The one I have is pretty old and I don't even know if it works. So what's the best on those?
Also, I got some of those live plant bulbs they have. They're Aponogeton and Nymphaea. Are those any good?
And as far as the different additives and chemicals go, what should I pick up? I already have some Stress Coat, Ick Clear, Parasite Clear, and Fungus tablets from Jungle. Also some Clear Water from the same company.
Price isn't a huge issue, but the cheaper the better on everything.
Platy's are my favorite fish and I'd love to have a tank full. :D
Thanks so much in advance.

[cellodaisy]

I'm a newb myself, but I'm pretty sure people will want to know these things:

- water parameters (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH)
- water temperature --- you say you don't know if the heater is working. Do you not have a thermometer in the tank?
- stocking --- what kinds and quantities of flora and fauna
- water change schedule and what you use to treat the water before you put it in

[Temeraire]

Another good question, is it set up? :)

[sacrificetheory]

Well, I don't have a test kit just yet but I plan on getting one tomorrow.
My temp stays at around 72-76. I haven't tried the heater, it's pretty ancient. I figured the water temp was high enough for some goldfish since they live all through the winter in the pond next door. :P
As far as Flora and Fauna goes, I just have the bulbs mentioned. The Lilies and Aponogeton. Fish, I just have 3 goldies left. 1 fantail, 1 black moore, and a oranda.
I usually do a 35-50 percent water change a week.

[cellodaisy]

How large are your goldfish? I've never kept goldfish, but my understanding is that they need a lot more water than other kinds of fish. They would have to be pretty small for 3 to be comfortable in a 10g tank.

Are you dechlorinating the water before you add it?

[sacrificetheory]

Yeah, I put some stress coat in before I put it back into the tank.
They are pretty small.
Maybe 1.5 to 2.5 inches.

[cellodaisy]

Like I said I don't keep goldfish, so I would defer to the opinion of someone more knowledgeable, but I'm pretty sure you're going to have to get a bigger tank for those fish---if not now, then later when they have grown. If you aren't able/willing to do that, you might need to think about re-homing some of them. Aside from that, get a test kit and (if you aren't familiar with tank cycling) read this: http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84598. I hope your remaining fish hang in there!

[cellodaisy]

Note: you really do need nitrite and nitrate tests, especially when starting a new tank, and they don't always come in the master kits. You might have to buy them separately. I made the mistake of not having them and not being completely clear about how cycling works, and it cost the lives of about a dozen fish. I am still torn up about that. Don't let it happen to you!

[sacrificetheory]

I just plan on starting over. I have a friend with a big tank that would love to have my fish, so I'm going to let her have them.
What do you recommend for testing?
I think the only kinds of tests we have locally is the pH and the 5 in 1, but I haven't really looked at that one.
Thank you so very much for your help!!
Also, do you think it might be the plants throwing everything off?
I never had a problem until I put those bulbs in.
-scratches chin-
I figured they could only help instead of hurt, but I don't know.

[cellodaisy]

Good call with the fish. I'm sure they'll be happier in a bigger tank.

I think you really need to have ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH tests. It would also be good to have gH/KH, which I don't currently have and am going to order soon. It will help figure out what's going on if you have pH problems. Make sure they are all liquid tests. Dip strip tests tend to be less accurate.

I'm in the same boat as you---no good local stores. Thank goodness for the intertubes! drsfostersmith.com is a very reputable site with good selection. So far I have found slightly better prices at bigalsonline.com, and they're currently having a 10% off everything sale.

I doubt the plants are the problem unless they are dead and rotting. In general, plants help your tank by taking up nitrate and giving off oxygen. Once you get into plants, though, you have to think about your lighting. If your tank is low-light, that's fine---there are lots of low-light plants---you just need to be aware of getting the right kinds so they actually grow and do all those wonderful things for your tank instead of just sitting there.

Read that post I linked to and make sure you really fully understand cycling, then get set up and cycle your tank before getting any fish. This could take a few weeks to a month, so be patient. If you use bottled ammonia to start the cycle, make sure it has no additives (like scents or "surfactants"). It's hard to find without addititves, but if you can't find any you're probably better off using fish food or a raw shrimp to get your cycle started. I have no experience with either. My main tank started out with just a turtle, which produces plenty of ammonia and is relatively insensitive to water quality. So my turtle cycled my tank and I had no idea what was going on.

If you absolutely can't stand having an empty tank and you want to do fish-in cycling, get ONE small hardy fish and watch your ammonia and nitrite levels live a hawk. Do water changes every day if you have to.

DISCLAIMER: I'm a total newb. Everything I know about fish I learned here on AC, but I may have gotten something wrong so PLEASE do your own research as well!

[sacrificetheory]

Okay, I will. Thank you so very very very much. You have no idea.
Hopefully everything gets sorted out. Blah. So stressful.
I just did another 50% water change.
Hopefully they have a nice test kit at the pet store.
Slim pickins' around here. :p