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.
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.