HELP! new hobby to me, i think im doing everythign wrong? - Page 4

Marthy · 11-24-2006, 10:12 PM

I have read the sticky in the past, which unfortunately, seems to have disappeared for now....I thought water changes only prolonged the cycling, so no, I haven't done that. I'm not sure how to feed the beneficial bacteria that you mention at this point - I thought the ammonia was supposed to do that. I'm several weeks in, not willing to sacrifice anymore fish - my tank is quite lovely to look at, but very empty.

Tommy Gun · 11-24-2006, 10:29 PM

Marthy,

I suggest that you start a new thread about this topic since this one is getting so long that it is hard to follow. There are many people who can help you out with your questions and I would love to help you myself.

I understand the frustrations behind cycling a tank and at times, it seems as if nothing is happening or not happening fast enough. There are quite a few 'tricks of the trade' to consider and I feel that you can get better input and information if you started your own thread. A good place to start would be to go over your current situation quickly and then ask some of your particular questions as well as your more vauge questions.

For now, I would agree with you, you dont need to spend any more time or money on buying fish to cycle your tank. The fishless cycling 'sticky' can be found using this link:

http://www.fishtankforums.com/5-fres...cycle-how.html

You can bookmark it or add it to your favorites (if using Internet Explorer) so that you can always refer back to it.

Keep your chin up and know that we are all here to help you out!

Marthy · 11-25-2006, 06:51 AM

Thanks Tommy. I see the stickies now - guess i was looking in the wrong forum. It's been 3 weeks since ammonia spiked - guess I will just be patient and give it another week before starting a new thread. Hopefully 4 weeks will be the magic number for me. Thanks again!

lioness462 · 12-06-2006, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewbieSarah

Hi There

4 weeks ago, myhusband bought me a 10G fish tank for my birthday... I was so excited to start with! Until I came into problems....!! I bought live plants and conditioned water like it is recommended, and waiting 48 hours before buying fish. I started out with 4 Danio's (which were recommended but apparently are not good for small tanks.... but i later returned them after getting the tetras as they were agressive)

about a week later (after the danios) i introduced 5 tetras.. (but returned the danios within the same 24hours) and replaced the danio's with 3 Guppies. Everything seemed like it was going well... until the tetras became diseased.... all dying. So I went and got my water tested.... of course amonia levels are high as well as nitrates.. because of being a new tank... they basically said 'dont be suprised if they dont all die".. they suggested MelaFix to treat the guppies.. and then all 5 tetras died within 3 days... then i had a case of ick i had to treat

Sooooo..... i left the 3 guppies to do their thing, then 1 of the females died... she had red sores on her tail and.... was obviously sick. so..... I went and bought 1 more female guppy (with knowing the rule 2 girls to one male) and a cory catfish. The next day i found the male guppy dead.

Things were normal for a few days...... and then yesterday Fin rot is back, the fat yellow female guppy is now sick, it's tummy deflated and red gills.. the new female has fin rot.. the catfish is doing okay.
I have done plenty of water changes/treating with 'cycle'.. i did a water change today, and there seems to be a film of something on the surface of the water.... I don't know what I'm doing wrong... and i'm ready to give up...

any suggestions or help??
Sarah

i'm a fish oner too.i have a betta,6 baby siclids,2 baby chines alagy eaters,1 glass fish,2 rosie baras,and 2 dalmation mollys.at first my fish were dyeing to...but now i am fine.all my fish needed was 2 things.1.the pink kissing giromie out and more love and care.