From disaster to hope
Ok...I filled up my tank, added my pink fish, and watched them die within two hours. After failing to exchange them I finally discovered that fish are a lot harder than I originally thought. At the pet store I was told that I have to buy their special water with bacteria and let it sit in my cute little tank for ONE WHOLE MONTH!!! I would have been fine with this if I had known it from the start. Why are new fish owners so misinformed??? While I sit and stare at my tank, bubbling sadly in an empty sort of way, I decided to become educated on fish keeping. My first job is to find out if I'm preparing the water right. My tank is only 2.5 gallons, its a little desktop aquarium. It contains an under gravel filter, two fake seaweed things, a rock, and mermaid I named Ariel. I have the air pump/filter on to help cycle the "special" water. Am I doing everything ok??? Any tips are gladly appreciated so I don't murder more fish!