"HELP..." Threads. Here are some guidelines for posting:

Status
Not open for further replies.

kzimmerman

Piranha
MFK Member
Mar 18, 2009
876
203
76
delmar md
Help Us So We Can Help You!!!

Many people have posted urgent help questions in this section. Most of the time, they need help immediately, but do not include the information that is necessary to really help the aquarist. So, here are some guidelines to assist in forming such a post:

1. Tank size. We need to know this to tell if you're overstocked. It would also help to state what kind of tank it is,(ie; 20 long, 20 high, 20 extra high, ect).

2. Type and size of fish and all tankmates. That way we can tell if there are population density issues, or aggression problems. Especially important is if any new additions have been introduced to the tank.

3. How long the tank has been established. New tanks are prone to suffering from "new tank syndrome" with fluctuating ammonia, nitrite, and sometimes pH levels.

4. Results of testing. we need to know exact ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH at the least. Of those, ammonia is the most toxic, nitrite is the second, nitrate is not that toxic, and pH only matters if your trying to breed, or keeping delicate fish, such as discus. If you can, a GH and KH test will help immensely in determining your waters buffering level, so if there are pH issues, the only way we can really help is by knowing these levels.

5. Decor of tank. What?! Why would we need to know this? It's because there are several common tank decorations that can have an effect on water chemistry. Bogwood, and driftwoods, may tend to discolor the tank water, and can lower pH. Shells, coral, and some stones (ie; marble, holey rock/limestone) can raise the KH, thereby raising pH.

6. Any other specific parts of tank. This includes filtration, plants (real or artificial), any other additives added to tank, and most importantly, feeding schedule, types of foods, amount, and frequency/amount of water changes.

Everyone here at MFK is here to help each other. And, if everyone starts adding more specific information to their pleas for help, the process will be accelerated greatly, and you'll get the assistance in a more concise manner.
 

BPags52

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Feb 22, 2009
892
0
0
Tallahassee, FL
+1

Seems to be alot of "need urgent help" threads lately, with little to no information other than a vague description of what their illness/problem looks like.
 

swede

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Mar 26, 2009
2,515
5
0
ןɟ 'opuɐןɹo ɹɐǝu
I would like to suggest we add to the list :

most recent additions of species to the tank. sometimes the problem is the new fish, the way they were acclimated, dumping the water from the lfs into the tank. many problems can arise from simply adding new fish
 

gomezladdams

Polypterus
MFK Member
Sep 8, 2005
5,768
6
92
gilboa,ny
Excellent post!Until a person posts all that info its kind of silly to even try to guess what the problem is.You gotta help us to help you!
 

IKeepPacu

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Jan 2, 2008
1,327
7
38
40
Long Island, New York
i know theres alot as it is, but there should be one added titles "help us to help you" with all the info the OP wrote, this way it might help a few people do what would be needed for us to help them out.
 

gtclipse01

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jun 7, 2009
93
0
6
Centreville, VA
I think that a picture of the given problem can also help immensely in certain cases.. especially in those with less experienced hobbyists who don't know the difference between a 20G and a 30G, etc.. I doubt it should be required, but it's definitely useful to those trying to help.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
zoomed.com
hikariusa.com
aqaimports.com
Store