Couple quick newbie questions

R

Ryan32185

AC Members
May 9, 2006
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Well, I got my tank set up on Friday (10gal, Penguin 100, Heater, couple plants, big rock, gravel substrate) and I let it cycle a couple days and put my fish in on Monday. I have 5 Bleeding Heart tetra, male betta, and 3 loaches.

I don't have a test kit and am going out to get one soon. If my amonia, nitrate, nitrite levels are too high, what products do you recommend to take the levels down in addition to water changes?

Also, the tetras just seem to swim around the bottom of the tank near the back. They seem to be healthy but I am wondering if I should be concerned? The betta seems to hide alot and rest? in the rock that I have too. The loaches seem to be swimming around and are pretty active but the tetras are not and just seem to sit at the bottom.

I will check my levels and get back to you in a bit but before i go to the pet store I want to know what products are good to use if my levels are too high after testing.

Thanks for asnwering these stupid newb questions but I am slowly learning more about fish care.

-Ryan
 
O.K. Fifst of all, I take it that the tank is not cycled. By that I mean that there will be 2-4 weeks of ammonia in the tank and when that goes down it will be followed by 2-4 weeks of nitrites. when both are at 0 your tank is cycled. This means that the filter has caught up with the bio-load produced by the fish. In an un planted tank your nitrates will be at 0(nitrates=end product of cycle),and if you have a planted tank you will have some nitrates for the plants.However these need to remain low so it is safe for the fish.

It sounds like by the fish you have listed that there are too many fish to start the cycle and the filter will be overloaded causing ammonia in the tank which is toxic to your fish.With that many fish the levels will get too high too fast causing problems for the fish. I would recommend returning at least half of the fish and try to cycle the 10 gallon tank with 2 or 3 fish. If that is not possible, than you will need to do fairly large water changes probably every day to control the levels in your tank until it cycles out. When the tank is cycled than you may add 1 or 2 more fish and the tank will have to catch up again before adding more fish and so on and so on. Count on doing 30-40% water changes until this happens. Remember to add the fish slowly and you will do fine. Hope this helps

Hang in there!

Marinemom
 
Thanks alot! Unfortunatly, I came about this site and the tips for starting off right at too late of a time to do it properly and was ill prepared when I put my fish in (stupid newb mistake) I posted about what fish to get and which ones will be good together but I did not do enough research on cycling and how to start off properly, my mistake.

With that said, is there any way to control the amonia and levels and try to create at least a livable environment for my fish? I don't want to have to return the fish so is there anything I can do to make my mistake better on them?

-Ryan
 
Everyone makes mistakes. We all have. By the way, welcome to aquaria central. I'm sure that the people here will be able to help you through the cycling of your tank and any other questions you may have about this hobby. If you do not want to return any of the fish, than I strongly recommend frequent water changes mostly on a daily basis until your tank is cycled. This is the best way to keep the levels safe for the fish until this happens and they will have nice clean water to live in. The use of chemicals at this point is not recommended because it will slow your cycle down. Water changes and testing your water everyday will be the most benifit for you and your fish. Aquarium Pharmaceuticals makes a reliable freshwater testing kit. Be ready to do water changes at a moments notice if the levels get too high in your aquarium. This is the best way to ensure that you and your fish get through the cycle safely. If you have any more questions just post and I or someone else on this forum will try to help you. I hope this helps.

Hang in there!

Marinemom
 
There are products such as Ammo-lock that apparantly neutralize ammonia, but I believe they can lead to false water tests readings. Some people use aquarium/sea salt to help neutralize nitrites.

The best and safest route I can recommend is water testing, followed by water changes, as Marinemom suggested. Pouring more chemicals into your water can be an emergency tactic if necessary, but fresh dechlorinated water is the best remedy to toxic water IMHO.
 
Again, thanks for all the help and understanding. I went and got an Aquarium Pharmacuticals Amonia Test Kit and tested my amonia level, which is about 2.0 ppm. I got some Ammo-Lock too just in case I might need it but I think daily water changes might be the best way to go.

Any other suggestions? The help so far is much appreciated.
 
With that many fish in a 10g you may have to do 2x50% water changes a day to get a handle on the ammonia and nitrites.

I wouldn't recommend any additives at all.

If you can, take some of the fish back. Especially the loaches. Loaches -- or any other bottom feeder -- are not good to cycle a tank with. They are probably clowns and will get too big for that tank.

Roan
 
OK, I can do the water changes and I will see if that helps out. They are not clown loaches as a member of this forum recommended not getting them because they will get to big and I forgot the name of the kind I got.
 
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