First time visitor

[stemlof]

Hello everyone

I'm John and just started my first aquarium and have many problems. I bought my 20 gallon tank at ACE Hardware along with my fish. My water never got clear and my fish started to die. I bought ten at first with two crayfish and lost the little catfish first. Than another fish died and four days later, my two sharks. My grommy got attacked by two other fish and lost one eye and it's tail. Every time I go back to ACE I get different people with very different advice. I now want a 70 gallon tank but must figure out the 20 gallon problems first. Anyone with good advise that doesn't work at ACE would be appriciated.

stemlof

 

[Lupin]

:welcome: to AC!

What are your water parameters, first of all? Check out API liquid test kit and determine your ammonia, nitrites, nitrates and pH. When did you start your tank? Read rbishop's sticky thread on cycling. You'll really need to cycle the tank first before proceeding to get the fish. You have New Tank Syndrome at the moment. To explain this, you are adding too many fish in a tank that has not established itself yet. The ammonia and nitrites are on the rise and both are toxic to the fish. In the end, you will want zero on both.

Do you use dechlorinator? It is a must for tapwater especially if it has chlorine and chloramine which are both toxic to the fish as well.

Can you please give a list of all your fish? Your current and those that have died that is. We will be able to correct later on your mistakes. On another note, crayfish and fish do not mix. Crayfish are ambush predators and will kill the fish at a first chance.

Good luck and enjoy the hobby.

 

[Dangerdoll]

you buy a fish tank and fish from Ace Hardware? I think the problem is there for starters. Crayfish, catfish, sharks, I am guessing a gourami? They are all not suited with each other and too much for the tank, you should probably do your self some help with reading here to start with and then following up in the article section and searching "cycle":
http://aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=81388&highlight=cycle

 

[jm1212]

the links in my sig have some good stocking suggestions you amy want to look through after you finish cycling your tank.

 

[Caius]

you buy a fish tank and fish from Ace Hardware? I think the problem is there for starters. Crayfish, catfish, sharks, I am guessing a gourami? They are all not suited with each other and too much for the tank, you should probably do your self some help with reading here to start with and then following up in the article section and searching "cycle":
http://aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=81388&highlight=cycle

As with all stores, it depends who works there. My local Ace has a fish section and very informed staff. It does appear, however, that this poster was sold a poor selection of fish for an uncycled tank.

I agree with the above posts - first thing to do is read up on cycling.

 

[j_chicago]

WOW, they have to know about plumbing, electrical, paint, and now fish....

When ever someone at a chain, or even a little LFS, gives you advice, always take it with a grain of salt, atleast until you fact check it somewhere like here. Once you figure out if they actually know what they are talking about, then you can listen to them. Stores are there to make money, people here are not, we will most likely talk you out of buying something before we talk you into buying something, unless its another tank (multi-tank syndrome likes company, kinda makes us feel a little normal)

 

[j_chicago]

oh, and welcome to the AC