Newbie...

[Zack T]

Hello, I just got a 5 gallon tank with some neon tetra's. i have had them for almost a week and they seem to be doing really well. I have 4 of them in there and plan on not putting anymore in. I have been searching the interent to get some information and bought myself a ph test kit. i read that neon's like it around 6. well, i tested and i keep getting around 7 for the tank. i put in the chemicals to lower the ph but it still sticks around 7. i have added the chemicals twice so far with the fish in the tank. is that ok? I know i need to do a water change, but I am worried. I filled the tank up with tap water. Is that ok? Can I put more tap water in when I do the water change? I also bought some Ammonia, Chloramine Eliminator and put some of that in. Plus I got some Clear Water drops also. Are those bad to put in while the fish are in there. I just could use alot of information and help. I really don't want to kill these fish. Thanks for your time, I am sure this has been discussed a billion times

Zack

 

[pisces22]

Hey Hey,

I have neons too theyre adorable-they also like to school, so i would reccomend keeping at least 6-i think if u kept up on tank maintenance ud be able to have 6 in a 5 gallon as they arent much stress on the bioload-this would al;so make the tetras happier. Dont worry about pH too much, a stable one is better then one that is in the exact "suitable" range. Do not add anymore ph adjusters as they can meddle with ur natural pH and cause huge fluctuations(dangerous). I found this out just in time-unfourtunately i already bought the stupid bottle!oh well. A pH of around 7 is fine. Did u dechlorinate the tap water before putting it in? I wouldnt add too many chemicals because neons are VERY sensitive fish (delicate). Did u cycle your tank beforehand? If not you should probably take the neons back as they will probably die during a cycle- u can always get more or buy them back after cycling. Yes u definetely should do a water change, a)to get rid of the chemical additives and b)as weekly maintenance. Also, you dont really need any chemical additives besides dechlorinator (or medication if you need it).

But hey im just a newbie too, and ur doing much better then me by asking questions right away

 

[Swimfins]

You just got perfect advice. I'm a newbie too. You'll learn alot here. Goodluck Your ph is ok.

 

[Zack T]

ok, what exactly is cycling the tank?? thank you for informing me about all that information. i won't stress to much now about the ph. how do i dechlorinate the tap water? do i have to go buy some drops or something like that? and when i do dechlorinate the water, do i just do it to the new tap water and let it sit? or will it dechlorinate instantly and i can dump the water in? should i try and pull the fish out before i dump the new water in? thanks again for the info. i want to keep these fish alive

 

[ZeeSparrow]

Hi Zack,

There's a "sticky" on cycling (check the top of this freshwater newbie forum, it's the very first one) that will explain that for you better than I ever could.

Does the ammonia chloramine eliminator product that you have also remove chlorine? If so, then I think that's all you need to use to dechlorinate the tap water. When I do water changes, I put the appropriate amount of dechlorinator in a gallon jug, fill it with tap water and then slowly pour the water in the tank (my neons always move to the other side of the tank).

I'm new to this fishkeeping hobby, too. Good luck with your new tank!

 

[amosf]

Yep. don't worry about the pH. It sounds not to bad anyway. Our poor tetra have to live in much higher pH where we live now - over 8 - and when they are gone we'll be moving to cichlids by the looks. A stale pH is better than a fluctuating one, so using a pH down type chemical can be bad for the fish.

Biggest problem you will have will be ammonia and nitrites, so you'll need to change 25% of the water every day or two so the toxins don't get too high for the fish. Once the tank matures in a month or so the bacteria will take over and eat the ammonia and nitrite and you won't have to change water so often. Maybe every week or two...

The ammonia remover helps to keep the fish happy, but it may also slow down the growth of good bacteria you need to mature the tank. Get yourself a test kit for ammonia and nitrite (and maybe nitrAte) so you can keep track of the toxins.