im this close to throwing away this hobby.

[Sammysaddiction]

i really wish i could. but just try to visualize a tiger pint pointing face down, completely vertical, swimming in place.. or swimming from one spot to another, and then losing control, and doing backflips in the water to the top of the tank.. the orange on the fins are gone, and the stripes turn grey (not right now, as of right now only one barb is sitting vertical and having a hard time)

the water conditioner i thought might be it. i was using aquasafe WC, but i thought that might be makin the fish sick, so i switched to top fin WC. the measurements are REALLY small. they want me to use less than 5ml, so i just put a bit in there, i think if anything i overdose? (i hope atleast) it seems like the amount i put in there isnt enough..

Throw the TopFin in the trash. It sucks! I did some experimenting with it last year. I know $ is tight but it is worth it to spend the $7 and get something good like prime. If anything use the Aquasafe but avoid other cheap conditioners. You can not overdose on aquasafe (not that I'm aware of) to be sure use double the recommended amount. I think we just solved your problem hun. Unconditioned water will kill your fish faster than anything.

 

[allecb]

Throw the TopFin in the trash. It sucks! I did some experimenting with it last year. I know $ is tight but it is worth it to spend the $7 and get something good like prime. If anything use the Aquasafe but avoid other cheap conditioners. You can not overdose on aquasafe (not that I'm aware of) to be sure use double the recommended amount. I think we just solved your problem hun. Unconditioned water will kill your fish faster than anything.

i thought prime was for like cyling and locking ammonia? i never bought prime cause i didnt want it to screw with my test kits

 

[angyles]

Consistent water changes are necessary for every tank, no matter how pristine its conditions.

Consistent as far as every 1, 2 or even 3 weeks. Daily or every other day is not necessary in normal conditions. He's been doing super frequent water changes for some time now based on his previous issues. That can be frustrating when it's the only advice anyone can give you to rectify a problem.

 

[Sammysaddiction]

i thought prime was for like cyling and locking ammonia? i never bought prime cause i didnt want it to screw with my test kits

Prime is a water conditioner that also helps to neutralize ammonia, it is not an ammonia locker. IMO its the best water conditioner that money can buy. It lasts for a long time too because its so powerful you don't need a lot. It can also help with your nitrates (which you don't have to worry about according to your levels lol)

 

[Hebily]

Prime is water conditioner. It is IMO the best. It will not affect your tests. It may make it so that your fish will have less issues if you do have an ammonia or nitrIte spike.

 

[Sammysaddiction]

Consistent as far as every 1, 2 or even 3 weeks. Daily or every other day is not necessary in normal conditions. He's been doing super frequent water changes for some time now based on his previous issues. That can be frustrating when it's the only advice anyone can give you to rectify a problem.

Theres nothing wrong with lots of water changes (I've been known to do 4 or so a week lol) but in this case the water changes was making things worse because he wasn't using enough water conditioner. Which happens, I've done it twice. That's how I knew what the problem could possibly be.

 

[angyles]

Prime is a general water conditioner, in fact many of us here would say the BEST water conditioner. I would def. switch to that one if you can. IT's also much more economical than any of the others.

also, when I had tiger barbs many years ago, seems liek they often 'pointing face down, completely vertical, swimming in place' as part of their normal behavior. the tiger barb headstand! although the swimming eratically isn't.

 

[Sammysaddiction]

Prime is water conditioner. It is IMO the best. It will not affect your tests. It may make it so that your fish will have less issues if you do have an ammonia or nitrIte spike.

Opps I meant nitrite LOL

All about Prime: (copy & pasted from DFS)
* Tap water conditioner removes chlorine and chloramine * Detoxifies ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, and heavy metals * Safely condition water without a pH drop or overactivating protein skimmers

No other aquarium water conditioning product is required to make tap water safe. Prime removes chlorine and chloramine (even in high chloramine levels), and detoxifies ammonia and nitrite. Provides essential ions and stimulates natural slime coat. Prime also detoxifies any heavy metals found in the tap water at typical concentration levels. When used during cycling, Prime enhances nitrate removal and does not cause a pH drop or overactivate protein skimmers. Great for setting up new aquariums, or when adding or changing water, or to remove nitrate. Use 1 ml for each 10 gallons of water. For freshwater or saltwater use. 100 ml treats over 1,000 gallons; 250 ml treats over 2,500 gallons.

 

[Sammysaddiction]

Prime is a general water conditioner, in fact many of us here would say the BEST water conditioner. I would def. switch to that one if you can. IT's also much more economical than any of the others.

also, when I had tiger barbs many years ago, seems liek they often 'pointing face down, completely vertical, swimming in place' as part of their normal behavior. the tiger barb headstand! although the swimming eratically isn't.

Yup thats how mine sleep pointed down & stay like that for a few after I turn on the lights. It made me so nervous the first few weeks that I had them lol.

 

[allecb]

i know barbs always do that, but this i dont think is part of their normal beavior. its more of a "i dont wanna stand vertical, but i am cause i cant swim" thing lol

ill buy prime today and do a WC. how many gallons should i change?