New tank problems

[merlin8]

I have recently bought a elite 21ltr starter kit with 2 veiltail goldfish. I have been dogged with problems since the beginning (6 weeks ago). I have never had clear water & the fish have had both fungal and bacterial infections. I am meticulous about my water changes and tank cleaning. I ordered a tetra testing kit but it arrived without the colour cards in it so I couldnt do the tests. The tank comes with and elite stingray 21 filter. Is the filter rubbish? Please help me.

[Chickieepooh2u]

Ok thats about 5 gallons. First those fish need to go. They need about 20-30 gallons a fish. Did you cycle it before you added fish? How often do you do water changes?

[merlin8]

I cycled the tank as per the instructions (10 days). I did a 10% water change every 2 days for the first three weeks (as per the instructions). Now I do a 20% every 5 days or so. I am still medicating with antibiotics at this stage. Seems to be working though - the saddleback on the small fish is reducing and the dorsal fin on the large one is erect again. The fish seem to be coming through it. You have confirmed what I thought though I need a bigger tank - 20 or 30 gallons PER FISH does seem a bit ecxessive though. I didnt think the veiltails got that big.

[wataugachicken]

they do get big, but more importantly they produce a lot of waste which can make water quality in a too-small or overstocked tank get bad very quickly.

[Star_Rider]

I cycled the tank as per the instructions (10 days). I did a 10% water change every 2 days for the first three weeks (as per the instructions). Now I do a 20% every 5 days or so. I am still medicating with antibiotics at this stage. Seems to be working though - the saddleback on the small fish is reducing and the dorsal fin on the large one is erect again. The fish seem to be coming through it. You have confirmed what I thought though I need a bigger tank - 20 or 30 gallons PER FISH does seem a bit ecxessive though. I didnt think the veiltails got that big.


yes a bigger tank..with angels 10 gallons per fish ..tho you should consider a 30gallon for 2 angels.

the big problem with small tanks..they are a small sytem and subject to changed quickly.

I would recommend more water changes with those angels in the small tank. 20 % is fine but you may want to step it up to every 3 days till you get a larger tank. you may want to invest in a test kit to test the water. you should get ammonia, nitrite and nitrate tests.

[merlin8]

What a great site. Thankyou all so much for the advice so far. Letter to santa changed already. Big Fish tank please.

Just got the colour charts sent through by tetra. Values are as follows

pH - 7.5
N02 - 0.3
Gh - 0-1
Kh - 0-1
CO2 - 1

Do these look ok? :look: (I dont really know what a veiltail goldfish likes)

Dont mind frequent water changing and all that. I like getting in about the fish tank. They dont seem stressed by it either. I have had so many problems they are used to me in and out. I have to say I am pretty determined to get these little guys through this and they are responding.