So Many Problems So Little Time!?

Question

I'm a semi Newbie I have had my Betta since July and I'm having lots of problems . Well first I learned the hard way that you NEVER trust a LFS employee I have Had tons of problems cause of it. First I got my Betta I got black gravel it turned my tank really gray cloudy even though I spent a long time trying to get all the dust out if it. Then I got a Bigger tank because everyone said my tank was too small I had a 3 gallon now I have a 5 gallon. Now this is where my real problem started. I got my tank set up I got rid of the black gravel I got Betta stones the small marble like stones. the first night my tank was crystal clear next morning I woke up not so crystal clear but clear after a couple of weeks I figured my tank had gone through it's cycle cause Petco told me that after 2 or 3 weeks it should be balanced I went in to get a snail they told me my nitrates were up really High and that I was at the end of my cycle but because my nitrates were up so high that I was going to kill my fish so they to me to buy easy balance and it has Nitraban in it and it is just suppose to even out my tank completely well I went home followed the directions next morning it turned like a yellowish colored cloudy water read online that cloudy yellow water is a sign of decomposing waste so I figured that was what the stuff was suppose to do so I had to get the yellow out of the water so I did a 50% water change and then it was pretty clear again waited 2 weeks went back to Petco to get my water tested again they told me my nitrates were still up just not as bad and it was because I didn't take out my filter I said oops went home took out the filter nitrates went all the way down BUT then I went back a couple weeks later and I they told me my nitrites were up so apparently (this is what they told me) that my fish tank started it's cycle over why you my ask I have NO idea I didn't change filter media I did a 10% water change that's it so I figured it had to be the easy balance or something! well now I'm So over it did a 60% water change put spring water in my tank cause they told me my water was too soft out of my tap I was using tap water with aqua safe to make sure it took the chlorine out. well I after I did that I haven't touched it cause I'm afraid cause its clear but I have another problem issoh my fish has a little white dot on his side but it's not a lump and its not sprinkles like salt or sugar so I don't think it's ick so if any one can Help me with anyone this I know it's a lot Sorry For that! Thank you Have a great Day!

Answer 1

Well, a 3 isn't terrible, it's on the small side and a bit more difficult to safely heat and care for, but a 5 is even better (bigger is better in the fishie world!).

~As for the tank cycle starting over, this can happen when a harsh med is used and the bacteria is wipped out, or chlorine, soap or other harsh disinfectant comes in contact, or a filter is completly changed. You say you changed the filter but not the media. This confuses me as the media should be changed, not the filter. You can keep some of the white mesh and float it i the tank for a bit when you change the media, or even place it in with the new filter in order to help transfer some of the bacteria. However, the entire surface of the tank (inside) is covered in beneficial bacteria as well, so there should have been some remaining.

~How much/often and what do you feed him? Nitrates are usually due to over feeding, especially with yellow water (the nitraban is yellow, but should quicklly disperse, not tint the water). I don't know what you use but I can say that flakes are very messy and not recomended, freeze dired foods and frozen foods (rehyrate f-dried first) are cleaner, as are pellets. Try cutting back on feeding too, perhaps every other day, once a day.

~For general maintenance it's recommended to do a 25-30 percent change (gravel vac) once a week, and a filter media change about once a month. How bad is your water? Fish these days are generally very tolerant to varying water types, and if it's not drastically bad they should be fine. Mine is very hard, but my fish have had no issues. You should be fine with your tap water and a good water conditioner.

~Bottled is not generally recomended as it's had many vitamins and minerals removed, ones that are nesscesary for a healthy fish (like calcium).

~As for the white spot, is it mushy? Cottony? Flaky? Mushy or cottony could be a fungus, flaky could be a slime coat illness.

~Since his tank is having water quality issues, I'd recommend a 30-50 percent water change (over 50 can stress/shock him), try upping his temp to around 82-84 (induces a slight fever, nt to mention makes him feel better, it can help kill bacteria, virises and parasites on his surface and in the tank) and add a little freshwater aquarium salt (can also help kill bacteria, parasites and viruses on his surface and the tanks, and will help prevent secondary infections and balance electrolytes).

Best of Luck!

Answer 2

Next time please number your questions or at least indent.



1. Find a new pet store if possible, or when you go, don't speak with the employees.



2. I use black gravel in one of my tanks. New aquariums are commonly cloudy, you may have blamed your gravel for what was really a bacterial bloom. It's normal and to be expected that an aquarium will be cloudy after initial set up.



3. The cycle usually takes 4-6 weeks. First ammonia will go up, and then decrease as nitrites rise and then fall to become nitrates. At the end, ammonia and nitrites should be at zero, and nitrates preferably under 20ppm. I suggest you get your own test kit to monitor your water quality. Liquid tests are more accurate and I recommend them over the strip tests.



4. What sort of maintenance schedule do you have? You should be vacuuming the gravel and removing 25% of the water weekly or you will see high nitrates.

Removing the filter cartridge so early wasn't necessary and it took away all the bacteria that had accumulated so you did essentially uncycle your tank.



5. All this up and down has probably stressed your betta. That white area could be a bacterial infection. Posting a picture here, or looking up common fish afflictions online for pictures to compare may help you determine what it is.

Answer 3

you need some sort of gravel in the tank to hold your bios a tank does go through a cycle and if you took the gravel out that could be what sent your nitrates back up. the main things needed to keep a tank going is water conditioner and your filter, the gravel and fish can take care of the bios or if you want to cycle it quick try a bio boost. As far as the water changes about 20% a week should do fine( i do mine every saturday) filter media only need change about ever couple months. You should keep your filter running as much as possible. Here's a rundown of what you may need to know....



http://en.microcosmaquariumexplorer.com/wiki/Keeping_Your_Freshwater_Fish_Healthy

Answer 4

you have to do a 25% water change every week.... to remove nitrates. So, it makes sense they're high every three weeks, you aren't doing water changes. Don't get another animal for that tank. You're killing the one you have.

And black gravel didn't make the water dirty, your lack of cleaning the tank did. It's called a bacteria bloom.

Answer 5

Wow. Okay. The white salt like things on the side of your fishes body could infact be ich. Are they flat against the skin? Or sort of sticking out? Lumps? Ok. To help you. I would prscribe some anti-ich medication. Take either a picture of the fishes spots or take in the fish to your local pet store. They will be able to better diagnois it than i can over the internet. I hope it isnt....it could also be frost. Is there white around the mouth..frost is flat against skin. If it is just heat up the water and it should go away. But be carful if it is frost it weakens your fishes immune and your betta can get another desiese. I hope i helped...alittle.

Answer 6

in the starting up i'd have a tendency to trust the others, yet after some theory i'm afraid you'll ignore to eliminate the plug after your nighttime out, and Hattie will explode in her sleep. Or roll over and positioned out a window at the same time as it 'pops' i imagine ordinary techniques to approach that is with a tube inserted in her rear and run to the hollow of a balloon. Hattie can position the balloon in bra and that is going to act as a custom 'ask your self Bra'. once you observe her getting slightly chestier you may excuse yourselves and relieve the stress earlier returning to the table. the certainly caution i'd have is to make effective there is not any open flames round once you relieve the stress. we would hate to lose you and Hattie through a freakish twist of destiny.