I don't have a lot of trouble keeping fish, once they have acclimated. Basically, if my fish last the first 3 days, they all live a long, healthy life. I only loose fish in the acclimation process.
I have found the following works equally as well:
-Floating the fish until water is equal temp, dump bag into net, catch fish, no acclimation to water parmeters
-Floating the fish until water is equal temp, adding 1/2 tank water to bag, dump bag into net, catch fish, very little acclimation to water parameters over time
-Drip acclimating fish for 1-2 hours, netting them, put into tank
-Drip acclimating fish for long periods of time, like 6 hours, with a heater once I get enough water, an air stone, etc.
-Switching to the same RO water as the store I buy fish from for month before I add fish (this had slightly better results) but is harder for me these days as I don't have room for the jugs since I moved to a smaller place.
I also have done each combination of the above doing:
-No change in CO2, ferts, etc
-Turn CO2 off for a day before
-Do large water change, off gas as much CO2 remaining with an air stone or HOB filter added
-Not add any ferts, do large water change, off gas as much CO2 remaining with an air stone or HOB filter added
Basically, I feel I have tried everything. I feel like am I am fish serial killer. I love fish in my tank but because of all this, my tanks have been very understocked and I would like to change this.
I did have a quarantine tank I used way back and that seemed to help. I could do a small one, maybe 2-5 gallons, but it is challenging in my small one bedroom. What I likely cannot do, is keep it setup and cycled for any real period of time.
Just really looking for a way to keep fish in my tank, again, I am feeling "unethical" about the situation, I don't take this lightly. The only reason I have tried so may ways over the years was trying to find something that works, not because I am just trying things for the sake of it.
If I get fish from a hobbyist, and not a store, I don't seem to have much issue. However, even when I go to the stores in my area known for the healthiest fish, I still have this issue.
Could the fact I have a lowered car, with stiff suspension be the culprit? Because I have tried every way to do this, I also don't want to rule out a totally different potential issue. I try to keep the bag in a dark place with some cushion under the bag but my car is going to bounce, especially with these terrible Oakland potholes.
I have found the following works equally as well:
-Floating the fish until water is equal temp, dump bag into net, catch fish, no acclimation to water parmeters
-Floating the fish until water is equal temp, adding 1/2 tank water to bag, dump bag into net, catch fish, very little acclimation to water parameters over time
-Drip acclimating fish for 1-2 hours, netting them, put into tank
-Drip acclimating fish for long periods of time, like 6 hours, with a heater once I get enough water, an air stone, etc.
-Switching to the same RO water as the store I buy fish from for month before I add fish (this had slightly better results) but is harder for me these days as I don't have room for the jugs since I moved to a smaller place.
I also have done each combination of the above doing:
-No change in CO2, ferts, etc
-Turn CO2 off for a day before
-Do large water change, off gas as much CO2 remaining with an air stone or HOB filter added
-Not add any ferts, do large water change, off gas as much CO2 remaining with an air stone or HOB filter added
Basically, I feel I have tried everything. I feel like am I am fish serial killer. I love fish in my tank but because of all this, my tanks have been very understocked and I would like to change this.
I did have a quarantine tank I used way back and that seemed to help. I could do a small one, maybe 2-5 gallons, but it is challenging in my small one bedroom. What I likely cannot do, is keep it setup and cycled for any real period of time.
Just really looking for a way to keep fish in my tank, again, I am feeling "unethical" about the situation, I don't take this lightly. The only reason I have tried so may ways over the years was trying to find something that works, not because I am just trying things for the sake of it.
If I get fish from a hobbyist, and not a store, I don't seem to have much issue. However, even when I go to the stores in my area known for the healthiest fish, I still have this issue.
Could the fact I have a lowered car, with stiff suspension be the culprit? Because I have tried every way to do this, I also don't want to rule out a totally different potential issue. I try to keep the bag in a dark place with some cushion under the bag but my car is going to bounce, especially with these terrible Oakland potholes.