Another RTC Question:(

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Dylan Sanders

Dylan Sanders

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Aug 23, 2018
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So I've had my RTC since 25th of last month.. so not that long. I did a lot of research and tried feeding him every 12 hours with 2 very small pieces of tilapia. He was eating perfectly fine until Friday the 31st. He started to vomit any food i fed him. Since then he hasn't ate at all. I've done a water change, ph levels are 7.2, i have plenty of places for him to hide. Im just not sure what else i can do to ensure his well being. *ADDITIONAL INFO* First was placed in a 10 gallon for 2-3 days then transferred him into a 55 gallon. (Ate perfectly fine in both) He still is about 2-3 inches. Thank you again if you read this:)
 
taksan said:
How long has the tank been set up , what filtration is on it and what % water changes and frequency are you doing?
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Tank was setup and running 2 days before I put him in. I have a 40 gallon and 20 gallon filter/pump on it ( tank only filled up to 40 gallons) He’s only been in there for about a week and did a 40% water change two days ago. He is still refusing food.. I bought carnivore sinking pellets and still nothing.
 
taksan said:
Ummm the tank in not cycled. I’d be doing 50% water changes a day with properly treated water. What are your results for Ammonia, Nitrites and Nitrates?
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I just did a 50% water change but everyday you think? I just went to petsmart to get it tested and i cant recall the results but i know i had a little Ammonia and Nitrates. They refered me to buy "Prime" it detoxifies The three you mentioned. He hasn't ate in over a weak.. I really don't want him to die on me. I've seen some videos of people force feeding them? Do you think i should try that tomorrow if he still refuses?
 
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No do not force feed ...food is the problem not the solution...are you treating the water you are changing with Prime? Continue DAILY water changes ( with Prime) and get your own test kits. You should NEVER put fish into a newly set up tank it takes weeks for a tank to be ready for ANY fish and even longer for a fish like a RTC. It seems like really don’t have the ability to look after this fish. What EXACT filter do you have on the tank and what is the turnover? and what are the tank dimensions If it’s a 55 ... put 55 in it why have you only got 40 in it? Do you have air stones in the water? Your in a bit of trouble here these fish are not easy to keep and within a year you will need a 300 gal tank and 1000 within 2 years.
 
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taksan said:
No do not force feed ...food is the problem not the solution...are you treating the water you are changing with Prime? Continue DAILY water changes ( with Prime) and get your own test kits. You should NEVER put fish into a newly set up tank it takes weeks for a tank to be ready for ANY fish and even longer for a fish like a RTC. It seems like really don’t have the ability to look after this fish. What EXACT filter do you have on the tank and what is the turnover? and what are the tank dimensions If it’s a 55 ... put 55 in it why have you only got 40 in it? Do you have air stones in the water? Your in a bit of trouble here these fish are not easy to keep and within a year you will need a 300 gal tank and 1000 within 2 years.
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yes i am treating the water with prime. I have a TOP FIN Silent stream power filter 40 gallons with 200 gallons/hour.. Also a 20 gallons filter TOP FIN not sure the turnover (reason why only filled to 40 gallons). I do have air stones. I know what i was walking into knowing these animals grow fast and large. I know i messed up on the cycled tank i will admit but I will do anything i can to secure his future. I am currently building a pong in my backyard and a above ground pond for inside my office. Thank you.
 
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Ok first of all you need to keep up the daily water changes and fill up the tank. Those filters are really not going to cut it for a RTC but you can simply make a top filter and fill it with seachem Matrix or similar out of a plastic planter box like this.
After a few weeks your tank should be cycled and you can feed normally (once a day... shrimp, ‘tis Pia, pellets) etc
The main thing is getting over this uncycled tank ... this is why the fish isn’t eating and is probably feeling quite sick.
 
taksan said:
Ok first of all you need to keep up the daily water changes and fill up the tank. Those filters are really not going to cut it for a RTC but you can simply make a top filter and fill it with seachem Matrix or similar out of a plastic planter box like this.
After a few weeks your tank should be cycled and you can feed normally (once a day... shrimp, ‘tis Pia, pellets) etc
The main thing is getting over this uncycled tank ... this is why the fish isn’t eating and is probably feeling quite sick.
Click to expand...
Thank you for that video! Do you happen to know how long a fish can go without eating? Also i know the uncycled tank and all but the RTC was eating perfectly fine for about a week before he started acting sick. He was only eating very small strips of store bought tilapia fillets.
 
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