What is killing my fish?

S

smibula

AC Members
Jan 16, 2008
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I need help figuring out what could be killing my fish. I have a 10 gallon tank. Just spent about 10 weeks of fishless cycling. Finally got levels right 2 days ago. Did a 70% water change and added 3 tetras and 3 danios yesterday afternoon, adding 3 cups of water to their bags over about 20 minutes and then put fish only in the tank. I got them from a reputable local fish store. This morning, 1 tetra and 1 danio were dead. The tetra was wrapped around the intake tube for the filter, the danio was floating on top.

I tested the water this morning: Ammonia - 0, Nitrites - 0, Nitrates 15 (that's what my well water reads out of the tap). PH is 6.6 (which is what the fish store keeps their tanks at). Temp has been 78 degrees. In the tank I have 1 plastic plant, one small decoration, a 6 inch water bubbler wand, heater and filter (side mounted).

We lost 2 beta's at Christmastime. I thought it was due to the fact that we keep our thermostat low at night (58 degrees) and that they couldn't handle the cold. From what I've heard, the cold probably wasn't the problem. Then I set up the 10 gallon tank and started out with some glofish (doing a fishy cycling). I lost 2 after about 2 days - fish store said ammonia level was a bit high (could not have been more than .5 or 1) and I should lower the PH. I added the PH down and I think I added it too fast and lost the remaining 3 fish (1 in less than about 4 hours after adding it to the tank).

Now, with good levels on all fronts I'm still losing fish and I don't know what else to check for. We are on well water. Had the water tested for us and found nothing outside of normal limits, but I don't know if there is something that could be killing the fish that wouldn't show up on the test.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

SMB
 
do not add any of that stuff to raise or lower your ph it will make it very unstable.remember a .1 difference in ph can kill a fish.now for the fish you added did you add them all at once?you said you tested the water and there was nitrates which would make me believe its cycled but you say thats the same as your tap.how did you cycle your tank?
 
Yes, tank is cycled. I did not add any PH up or down this time. Tap water was at 6.6.

Another tetra is starting to look bad. I can't figure this out and I'm so frustrated.
 
****, just lost another tetra. I'm guessing there is something in the water. Is there anything else I can test for?
 
Swimming with their head up, then righting themselves again. Lost another danio. The last two are swimming, but seem to be trying to stay in one place.
 
Probably a stupid thing to ask, but did you net them out of the LFS store's baggie? Or did you dump the whole content of the baggie in the tank?
(this was our millionth stupid mistake after we just started...)
 
don't be too hard on yourself. sometimes we do everything right and just end up with weak/ill fish from the store.
 
I netted them out and threw the LFS water away. I'm down to 2 fish out of 6. I doubt that the fish are the problem - it's a good store. I took the bubbler wand out thinking it might have been too much current. If I have fish in the morning I'll be surprised. Can anyone think of anything else to test in the water?

Thanks.
 
GH aka hardness. Fish have much more trouble adapting to hardness differences that to pH change.

Also if you have new copper pipes or a new water heater that coupld be an issue. Also- do you have a water softener for the house?
 
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