Ok... newbie

M

marleys_mom

Registered Member
Apr 18, 2008
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43
South Carolina
Hi all,

I have tried on two separate occasions to start a small tank. I first tried the goldfish thing, they died within 5 days of a white, cotton-like fungus.

I told the guy in the pet store what had happened and he recommended Melafix for the fungus and suggested that I try again... So again I bought a goldfish, (didn't want to risk killing more than 1 this time), and again it was dead within 5 days... same white cotton-like fungus despite the treatment the guy told me to use.

I'm not sure if it could've been the water quality of where I lived at the time, and I haven't tried again since I've been here in SC, but I really want to do it right this time.

I only have a small 10 gal tank, so I know I can't get anything large or too dirty (so goldfish were probably not the best choice, but I had always heard about how hearty they are and that they will live through anything, even goldfish bowls). What kind of fish would you suggest for such a small tank (and know that my husband won't let me invest in a bigger tank until I can prove I can keep something alive for more than a week). :shakehead:

Thanks in advance for the help.
~Amanda
 
Hi Amanda... sounds like it is poor water quality or the fish you bought we're infected before you even got them home. Does the tank have any filtration? The best thing to do, is to set up the tank with the right amount of water conditioners in, and leave it running for a couple of days. If the water turns cloudy, it is poor water conditions. I had a 20 gallon tank that i left running for 10 days before putting fish in! If the water does turn cloudy, do a third water change, that sholud help! Also though, the smaller the tank, the harder to keep the water conditions stable!!! But try this, and see how it goes!

Good Luck

MJ x
 
Read the sticky on cycling a tank (at the top of the Newbie Forum) before getting any fish. Running the tank for a few days with just water does not start the cycle or make the tank safe for fish.
 
soobie said:
Read the sticky on cycling a tank (at the top of the Newbie Forum) before getting any fish. Running the tank for a few days with just water does not start the cycle or make the tank safe for fish.
Click to expand...

Your right, it dosent, but it does tell you if the water quality is bad in your area... some tap water is high in nitrates... that could be the source of the problem. but then again, it might not....
 
Some things to try:

- Wash your tank thoroughly, to make sure all traces of the fungus are gone.
- Make sure you're using a dechlorinator, or are at least letting the water sit for awhile.
- Make sure you give the goldfish ample time to acclimatize to the water by placing the bag from the petstore in the water.
- Choose another pet store.
 
Also, what water treatment are you using to dechlorinate? I reccomend prime, or aqua clear. Hang in there, you've found the perfect place to find good solid advise.
 
Please start with a fishless cycle. It has 2 advantages over getting the fish early on. The first advantage is that your fish won't ever see untrated water. The second is that it will give you time and practice using the chemical tests so that when you get your fish you can have some confidence in what you are doing. Its a hump we all need to get over and its better if the fish don't have to live through it.
 
I suggest fishless cycling (sure there's a sticky somewhere). For fish, I would recommend a Betta. Beautiful fish, and if in a heated and filtered 10 gallon tank, they will thrive :)
 
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