Post by Allaquatica on Jan 30, 2007 4:57:52 GMT -5
Unfortunatly this is a lot of people first experience of keeping fish. In the aquarium hobby it is known as 'New tank Syndrome'
They buy a new tank, set it up. Carefully wait the requred 'one day' advised by most petshops and then fill it up with fish. A few days later disaster strikes and fish start gasping at the surface or worse, showing signs of disease and dying!
Why does this happen?
A tank is an enclosed space, fish like other creatures poo and pee. Unfortunatly this stays in the water that they are living in. After a short time it builds up as the chemicle AMMONIA which is very toxic to fish. When there is some in the water it can poison the fish and make it ill or die. The smaller the bowl, or the more fish there are in the tank and the quicker toxic AMMONIA will build up.
How do I keep my fish alive then?
Fortunatley There are things you can do to help your fish. If you have fish in your tank. Then the best thing to do is cut feeding to a tiny amount once a day, this reduces the waste a fish makes and therefor the ammonia produced. The second thing you can do is a 25% waterchange with dechlorinated water to reduce the toxins in the tank. keep up these changes every few day for the next month or every time fish look distressed. Dont worry I wont need to be done forever! Avoid using medications or ammonia removers at this time as your tank will become safe as it matures.
How come other peoples fish dont die?
These toxins are only present during the first 6 weeks or so of starting your tank. This is because a special BENEFICIAL BACTERIA grows in the rocks, filter, and ornaments of your tank. This special bacteria transforms the toxic AMMONIA first into a chemicle called NITRITE then another beneficial bacteria grows and turns this chemicle into non-toxic NITRATE which you remove with fortnightly 25% water-changes. Care must be taken to preserve this bacteria that essentially keeps fish alive. this can be done by only doing small waterchanges with DECHLORINATED water (chlorine kills this bacteria) and never overcleaning the gravel or filter where the bacteria live. Also be aware that fish medications contain antibacterials and may kill beneficial bacteria, therefor it is always best to treat away from your main tank. This process is called CYCLING a tank. there are many in-depth articles on the process in the 'starting a tank' section of the forum.
They buy a new tank, set it up. Carefully wait the requred 'one day' advised by most petshops and then fill it up with fish. A few days later disaster strikes and fish start gasping at the surface or worse, showing signs of disease and dying!
Why does this happen?
A tank is an enclosed space, fish like other creatures poo and pee. Unfortunatly this stays in the water that they are living in. After a short time it builds up as the chemicle AMMONIA which is very toxic to fish. When there is some in the water it can poison the fish and make it ill or die. The smaller the bowl, or the more fish there are in the tank and the quicker toxic AMMONIA will build up.
How do I keep my fish alive then?
Fortunatley There are things you can do to help your fish. If you have fish in your tank. Then the best thing to do is cut feeding to a tiny amount once a day, this reduces the waste a fish makes and therefor the ammonia produced. The second thing you can do is a 25% waterchange with dechlorinated water to reduce the toxins in the tank. keep up these changes every few day for the next month or every time fish look distressed. Dont worry I wont need to be done forever! Avoid using medications or ammonia removers at this time as your tank will become safe as it matures.
How come other peoples fish dont die?
These toxins are only present during the first 6 weeks or so of starting your tank. This is because a special BENEFICIAL BACTERIA grows in the rocks, filter, and ornaments of your tank. This special bacteria transforms the toxic AMMONIA first into a chemicle called NITRITE then another beneficial bacteria grows and turns this chemicle into non-toxic NITRATE which you remove with fortnightly 25% water-changes. Care must be taken to preserve this bacteria that essentially keeps fish alive. this can be done by only doing small waterchanges with DECHLORINATED water (chlorine kills this bacteria) and never overcleaning the gravel or filter where the bacteria live. Also be aware that fish medications contain antibacterials and may kill beneficial bacteria, therefor it is always best to treat away from your main tank. This process is called CYCLING a tank. there are many in-depth articles on the process in the 'starting a tank' section of the forum.
