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Aquarium Troubles- New Tank

3K views 22 replies 10 participants last post by  karerolynn 
#1 ·
Hi to all,

I am a total newbie. Never had a fish for a pet in my life.

On Thursday, March 13, we set up a 10 gallon Top-Fin aquarium kit. Followed all the instructions. The water is clear except, at the surface where the water appears to be gray with tiny, tiny black particles floating in it. I have been searching on the internet to see what it is, however, I haven't found the answer. We will be receiving 6 male guppies on Monday. They will be my children's first pets and I want to make sure that the little guppies home is set-up right. What should I do? I have no idea.

Thanks in advance
 
#3 ·
Well, fishkeeping is more than just reading instructions.
Hold off on any fish for two weeks at the LEAST, giving time for bacteria to colonize in your water, stabilizing your water parameters.
Speaking of water parameters- yes, Bus is right.
You will need to get your hands on a liquid test kit to test for pH, ammonia, nitrite & nitrate levels.
DO NOT buy Test Strips.
Yes, these ARE easier and faster, however they are inaccurate and could lead to a big mistake.
These are useless.

Make sure with any fish you purchase you search for there size, behavior, etc online before you get them, as many Pet Stores are limited in which fish will fit what tank.

Any more questions?
Keep asking.
It's what FishForum is her for.
 
#4 ·
It sounds like something wasn't washed good enough before filling it with water. What kind of substrate are you using? It could be from your gravel.

Do a search on "cycling a freshwater aquarium". It's something every tank must go through to be able to support healthy fish.
 
#6 ·
Thanks so much to everyone. I have definitely found the right forum.

I will purchase a liquid test kit. I'm using topfin aquarium gravel purchased from Petsmart.

Herefishy mentioned the "floaties" are gravel too light to stay down. What are the "floaties"?

Should I dump everything out and start over?


You all just don't know how glad I am to have found this forum...talkin' bout a life saver...Whew!!!
 
#9 ·
The floaties are noting to worry about. You can scoop them out with a net. It's just floating gravel.

Air pumps are not required. Your tank will get oxygen through the surface agitation from your filter. I use them as decorations really and some of my fish like to swim in the bubbles.

They won't hurt, if you like the look use one. If you do, use a filter and a check valve on the airline. You can usually find an airline kit that includes everything you need. Tubing, connectors, check valve, filter and clips.
 
#11 ·
Great!! I checked the "floaties" this evening and there are less of them, the water at the surface is looking clearer.

I tested the water and the levels are:
pH: 7.6
Ammonia: 0.25
Nitrite: 0
nitrate: 0


The back of lid has cutouts for the filter and heater. I'm concerned about the guppies jumping out...what's type of material do you suggest that I use to cover the cutouts?

Thanks
 
#14 ·
Good luck with the new fish. Remember not to add to many at a time, and you'll need to test your water parameters at least once daily after adding the fish if your tank isn't already cycled. Once your ammonia starts to climb it'll be time for a water change.

Remember to add dechlorinated water at roughly the same temperature as the water in your tank to prevent shocking the fish. :)
 
#16 ·
You might want to read this http://www.fishforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=3738 It will explain what people are talking about regarding a cycle. You are at the first day of a fishy cycle if you stock the tank today. If you keep a close eye on the tank chemistry and change lots of water quite often, the fish will do fine. When I started in the hobby, nobody knew any better and we all did fishy cycles. Now, with better information, it is seldom done any more but you can keep your fish healthy if you are willing to do the work involved with that kind of cycling. best of luck and I hope you and the children can enjoy the new pets.
 
#18 ·
Guppies are pretty tough also. They lived through all my beginner mistakes. Keep in mine that they will have babies every 28 days so even if you start with one female...you can have many in a short time period. No one told me that in the beginning...I just thought they were pretty however they quickly took over my 29g tank! If they are gasping at the top, do a water change 20-30%. This will bring the ammonia down. Depending on how many fish you receive, you might have to do water changes everyday till it levels out. Test the water, watch the fish and enjoy them. That's what it's all about!!
 
#19 ·
I hope our little guppies make it through this. I changed the water twice yesterday. The first time 10% and then about 25%. Each time I've changed the water they have really perked up. I will continue checking the ammonia levels and all other levels daily and doing water changes daily. I was thinking about doing water changes every other day....but...I see for now that it must be daily.

Fishforum.com is a lifesaver...Thanks :)
 
#20 ·
I've (accidentally) cycled tanks with guppy fry before, and even they have made it. They're pretty hardy fish who should do fine as long as you don't neglect the tank. One tip, if you keep doing so many water changes, your cycle will take a loooong time. Perhaps you may want to do slightly less.
 
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