New fish, new fish tank

mtilton

I'm a beginner fish keeper. I bought a ten gallon tank about three days ago. I have the filter (of course), the air pump with an air stone, thermometer, and a submersible heater. I put TetraAqua AquaSafe in the water to take care of the chlorine/chloramine. According to instructions, 1 teaspoon for every 10 gallons of water.

I bought two new fish today and one of them is already staying at the bottom of the tank. I know a little bit about nitrogen cycling but not that much. Please tell me how I can save it!

I don't even know what kind they are. This was before I released them into the tank. I floated it in the water for about 10-15 minutes. Please identify! Do one or both of them need a heater? Thank you.

Attached Images

fish.jpg (95.2 KB, 64 views)

froglady

These look like platties.

whitedevil

they need heaters around 78 degrees

froglady

whitedevil is right have to have heat 78 degrees.

mtilton

Does anybody know how long it takes for the Start Right or AquaSafe to de-chlorinate the water. Can it be used immediately? I want to try to do a significant water change. If I replaced about 50% of the water, would that help? Or could it be the "new tank" syndrome? Help!

jeaninel

The AquaSafe will work immediately.

Have you read up on the nitrogen cycle? Here's a link for you to read. The Aquarium Nitrogen Cycle

Since your tank is not cycled yet and you have fish in the tank you will need to keep an eye on ammonia and nitrite levels and do water changes when readings get above .25ppm. Ammonia and nitrites are lethal to fish so these need to be kept in check for your fish to survive. Or you can return the fish and try a fishless cycle (explained in the link above). You should purchase a water test kit that will test for ammonia, nitrites, nitrates and Ph such as this one Aquarium Water Testing: Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Freshwater Master Test Kit

Your tank is cycled once your ammonia and nitrites readings stay at 0 and you have some reading for nitrates. This cycle usually takes anywhere from 2-6 weeks or so. Don't add anymore fish until the cycle is complete and your tank is stable. Good luck and don't be afraid to ask lots of questions. We are here to help!

Twistersmom

If the fish have only been in there one day, I do not think there would be a harmful amount of ammonia yet. My guess would be they are still adjusting to their new home.
I am glad you have been reading up on the cycle. The best thing you can do, since you are cycling with fish, would be to buy an API water test kit.
This will help you monitor ammonia and nitrite levels. Doing a fish cycle, you want to try to keep both ammonia and nitites under .25 ppm through water changes.
Buy a 5 gal bucket to mix the declorinater and tap water. Just swirl it around a bit and it will be ready to use. Try to match tap water tempt. to the tank water.
Hope this helps some. Anymore questions, just ask.

HaHa, Jeaninel beat me to it!

Byron

The upper (orange) fish is a Platy, the lower is a male Swordtail. Both are livebearers. Your other questions have been answered by previous posts. I will add to the cycling info.

You should immediately add "Cycle" or a similar product to your tank. Cycle is a biological preparation that quickstarts the bacteria that are essential to detoxify the ammonia and the nitrite. If you read the links earlier posted you will understand this. "Cycle" or any similar product adds bacteria immediately, which in my experience eases the stress of new tank syndrome on fish in a tank that is cycling (a 2-8 week process). Ammonia and nitrite are very lethal to fish.

Also test your water for pH. That will have some importance later on.

Burninator

I thought for the most part people in this forum were against these products because all you were adding was dead matter or basically an ammonia source. Dont take this as fact but i thought the general consus was that these products have the opportunity to do more bad then good to your tank.

princesuhaib

They are platties, temp needs to be 78 F . What you should do is try buying a piece of driftwood, that will help you stabilize the water parameters in your tank.