Problems in setting up a new tank

[Francis Lee]

Hi everyone, 2 weeks ago, my sister bought a 2 feet tank, sand, air filter and plant to set up a new fish tank. She bought 20 fishes. On the same day, all fishes died and left only one. She changed the water, the following day, she bought another 20 fishes. Same thing happened again, 16 fishes died. I am just wondering what happened to her fish tank. Please help. Thanks

[ranmasatome]

Hi Francis..
Just wondering... did she put all the 20 fishes into the tank the day she set it up??

Then the next day bought another 20 amd dumped them in??

Also what kind of sand did she use? Did she wash the sand?

What kind of filtration does the tank have?? what is her filter media??

[|squee|]

The tank is a totally new and raw environment when it is first setup, of course the fish died.

She needs to read up on basic fishkeeping and tank setup information. Google has tons of these.

[yeoyl87]

From what you write, I think the main problem lies in the chlorine in the water. Do let the water stand for a night or two first before using. Water fresh from tap is very strong in chlorine, the fishes wouldn't be able to take it. Maybe you can try these steps.

1) Set up Over Head Filter and tank
2) Wash the sand and put into the tank.
3) Fill it up with water
4) let it run for a day or two first
5) Add in cheap cheap fish to test water first. Example cheap Aro feeds like Platies or Goldfish
6) After the test fish survive well in the water, then start to add in the fishes you want

For a start, add in some bio rings and active carbon before putting topping it up with a piece of filter wool in your OHF.


This is my opinion. There may be better ways.

[medicineman]

I would like to add this since she lives in Singapore, where water can come only from one source : the national potable tap water.

In Singapore they use not only chlorine, but add chloramine as well. Chloamine does not decompose that easily by letting the water sit for a day or two. Sometimes the chloramine concentration elevated to high level (ask the water supplier "why?") that it will certainly kill your fish (I've had that experience once in mid 1990's).

You need to get some chlorine and chloramine remover at your LFS and treat the water accordingly to the product instruction before using the water for your tank.

[Quixotic]

Sounds very much like new tank syndrome, rather than chlorine and chloramine issues. You probably need to allow more time for the tank to be fully cycled before adding any fishes.

Cycling is important in order for the beneficial bacterias (BB) to colonise in your tank. This is so that there is enough BB to convert ammonia and nitrite to the less lethal nitrate. Ammonia and nitrite are toxic to your faunas in low levels.

Here is some information on cycling,
http://freshaquarium.about.com/cs/bi...rogencycle.htm

Do read more, and do not introduce any more fishes until some things have been sorted out.

[lwm999]

Try not to change water for a while, and when the fishes are added to the tank later, put in a few at a time and don't feed them for a couple of days. This reduces the chance to have a sudden surge in ammonia. Initially try hardy fish like Zebra Danio to "test water".