Not doing very well

999 Views 9 Replies 5 Participants Last post by Darkblade48, Nov 24, 2010

Rude Boy

Discussion Starter · Nov 23, 2010

I just started a fish tank up and I was basically yelled at by the guy at the pet store because I was doing everything wrong. I got my tank running and I was told to leave it running for about a week, after the week I got a couple fish, just two red minor tetras, and now my water is cloudy and the fish are half laying on the gravel. What can I do to save them? I do not think they have very long to live and my nephew would be heart broken if his fish died. :icon_eek:

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OverStocked

· #2 · Nov 23, 2010

Water changes. Please read about the nitrogen cycle and cycling a tank. I am at work, but will try to post some good links later if you don't get info before I get a chance.

Do a 50% water change using dechlorinator right away. Ammonia damage usually doesn't reverse, though.

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Rude Boy

Discussion Starter · #3 · Nov 23, 2010

I just did the water change, when do I do another? I have water conditioner, do I need to get dechlorinator too?

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Darkblade48

· #4 · Nov 23, 2010

You will likely have to do them on a daily basis (about 25-30%). Water conditioner usually dechlorinates, however some brands also take care of chloramines, while others do not. What brand do you have?

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Rude Boy

Discussion Starter · #5 · Nov 23, 2010

The guy at the petstore gave me a little bottle that says topfin for free when I brought my water in to get tested.

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PinoyBoy

· #6 · Nov 24, 2010

Top fin makes alot of products. Which product is it?

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Rude Boy

Discussion Starter · #7 · Nov 24, 2010

Oh it says its topfin water conditioner

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F22

· #8 · Nov 24, 2010

go get a bottle of tetra safe start and add it to the tank, it will really speed up the cycling process and is fool proof. before you add it do a major water change, i would say about 75%

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Rude Boy

Discussion Starter · #9 · Nov 24, 2010

I got it from a friend, he didn't have it set up or anything and he didn't want it anymore. The filter says Aqueon and I bought another cartridge for next time. I have to get a new light the one in there was burned out. The top has an incandescent light fixture, I wish it was florescent

but it was free and I don't have a lot of money to spend.

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Darkblade48

· #10 · Nov 24, 2010

Rude Boy said:
The top has an incandescent light fixture, I wish it was florescent but it was free and I don't have a lot of money to spend.

If it is the typical canopy that I am thinking of, that uses the normal incandescent bulbs, you can likely find compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs that will screw into the same socket.

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