Cursed Tank? But seriously, HELP.
- Thread starter metaluna7
- Start date
So if the nitrates are too high the liquid nitrate test won't show any color change at all? They used strips to test at the pet store too. It does seem that the new strips I brought home are working. They show 40ppm before I do the water change and just trace amounts immediately after. I am not sure how the nitrates could possibly be "off the charts" high when the fish haven't been in the tank for even a week.
Check your water source, but if they drop after a water change, that's not likely. If there's a lot of uneaten food, or if there's a serious build up of waste in the substrate--but that's unlikely in a new tank.
All tests kits are effective in a certain range. If the water being tested is far outside that range, either above or below, the test results won't be accurate. That said, the liquid kit should show results of 40 ppm, since that is within range. Have you ever used it and not shaken it really well? That can result in a problem, since the ratio of chemicals in the bottle will be off.
All tests kits are effective in a certain range. If the water being tested is far outside that range, either above or below, the test results won't be accurate. That said, the liquid kit should show results of 40 ppm, since that is within range. Have you ever used it and not shaken it really well? That can result in a problem, since the ratio of chemicals in the bottle will be off.
I have always shaken it before using it, it's a habit.
The kit definitely worked before we moved and we did have a super hot summer so it's possible the temp got too high. I honestly can't remember if the kit sat in the garage for a time. Plus it's not just the nitrates that aren't showing up. I've been testing for ammonia and nitrites with the same kit and they haven't picked up traces of anything either. Seems like a weird coincidence.
Glad to hear you have one healthy fish left. I think you need to adjust your feeding practices, most likely you need to feed less, and possibly change food. Like I said my guppies love Fluval Bug Bites tropical for small fish, I used to get bloat all the time from flakes, Guppies eat like pigs.
I don't think your tank was cursed. From every thing you said, I personally believe that the fish were shocked going from a low nitrate system to a high nitrate system.
If this guppy last a few weeks you know you are good to go. Track you parameters before your water changes and find a good water change schedule. The goal is to have 0 ammonia, 0 Nitrite, and stable nitrates. I try and keep my nitrates between 10-20 The more you feed the more you need to change water. I use an app called aquarium notes to track my parameters.
As always quarantine new fish, it is very important. I really like aquarium coops quarantine method.
Good luck
I don't think your tank was cursed. From every thing you said, I personally believe that the fish were shocked going from a low nitrate system to a high nitrate system.
If this guppy last a few weeks you know you are good to go. Track you parameters before your water changes and find a good water change schedule. The goal is to have 0 ammonia, 0 Nitrite, and stable nitrates. I try and keep my nitrates between 10-20 The more you feed the more you need to change water. I use an app called aquarium notes to track my parameters.
As always quarantine new fish, it is very important. I really like aquarium coops quarantine method.
Good luck
So today, after I came home from work I thought for sure the last guppy was dead. He was hanging out up by the filter, the corner of the tank, completely vertical, head up and tail down.
Took the lid off the tank and he shot off like a bullet, swimming fine, but he keeps heading back to that corner by the filter, where he will slowly drift to the vertical position.
He doesn't look bloated at all, there is no more stringy poop hanging. I haven't fed anything today. The new food (Fluval Bug Bites) just arrived but I figured I'd hold off on those for a while too.
I was also paranoid about the paper test strips so I bought a new API liquid tests for both nitrates and ammonia. BOTH tests show no trace of either! The paper strips show nitrates in the 20ppm range now. It's so freaking odd. I guess I'll just play it by ear and see what happens. I really can't explain the wide discrepancies across the different tests.
I did buy everything I need to follow the Aquarium Coop's quarantine method going forward. Since I just have the one guppy in the tank should I go ahead and treat the tank with those meds?
Took the lid off the tank and he shot off like a bullet, swimming fine, but he keeps heading back to that corner by the filter, where he will slowly drift to the vertical position.
He doesn't look bloated at all, there is no more stringy poop hanging. I haven't fed anything today. The new food (Fluval Bug Bites) just arrived but I figured I'd hold off on those for a while too.
I was also paranoid about the paper test strips so I bought a new API liquid tests for both nitrates and ammonia. BOTH tests show no trace of either! The paper strips show nitrates in the 20ppm range now. It's so freaking odd. I guess I'll just play it by ear and see what happens. I really can't explain the wide discrepancies across the different tests.
I did buy everything I need to follow the Aquarium Coop's quarantine method going forward. Since I just have the one guppy in the tank should I go ahead and treat the tank with those meds?
Dang man. That is not a good sign. At this point I am completely confused.
The erythromycin may kill off the beneficial bacteria so I would not use that on the tank, I only use it in the hospital / quarantine set up. The other meds shouldn't hurt anything. But you are really just throwing stuff at the wall.
Sorry I couldn't help, I feel bad.
The liquid nitrate test needs to be shaking very well for used, it has solids in solution. Shake hard for 30 seconds before use, then shake in the test tube for 30 seconds after combined, and wait 5 min for results.
What temperature are you keeping the tank at? What is your PH?
I just had fungus eat half of the head of one of my Corydoras. I keep a very clean environment, no explanation. Sometimes this hobby is tough.
I just had fungus eat half of the head of one of my Corydoras. I keep a very clean environment, no explanation. Sometimes this hobby is tough.
