Expert help pls. My tank is a fish killer?

[vipstatus]

Okay... Well here it goes.... I had 5 baby flowerhorns separated in a 55gal for at least a couple of weeks. .. . all was well.. I did 30% water change weekly and all I used was PH 8.2, a little aquarium salt and Jungle Start Right... A couple of days ago I changed more than 50% of water and one of my babies died... :*( the rest of the babies seem like they were weak and going to die!

So I take them all out and moved them to my 75gal which I had my bigger flowerhorn which I luckily sold that day... so I had more space now... I did weekly water changes on that tank same as my 55gal.. and they are doing much better.

I then drained all the water out of the 55gal, refilled it, put PH 8.2, set temp to 82 F. , Jungle Start Right, and turned on the airstone. Am I missing anything? Anything essential? Nitrate level?...- never tested Nitrate level.. Anything?

ok, back to topic.. after the set up, I then put one of the babies into the 55gal by itself... "I'm soo sorry baby".. =( ... It looked well and alive in its new setting... HOWEVER when I woke up this morning I found it laying on its side!!!! I then went in with my hand and touched it, "it moved!" and went back to its side. . . . I automatically took it to my 75 gal and held it for 20 minutes and it slowly started to breathe... OMG!

WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH MY FREAKEN 55GAL? Is it the water? tank? chemicals? HELP ME SOMEBODY.. SOMEBODY SMART .. SOMEBODY PLEASEEEEE ... =*(

 

[seaofdreams]

Was the tank fully cycled before you added the fish? What were your ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels?

 

[vipstatus]

whats fully cycled? idk my levels yet... Im going to the store to get me those tests today

 

[seaofdreams]

This possibly could have been the reason for you problems, haha.

 

[vipstatus]

but i have new fresh water, so i dont think its ammonia, NO2, or NO3

 

[seaofdreams]

There is so much more to fishkeeping than having fresh water. I could explain it but it has already been explained awesomely by many members of this forum, just use the search bar to look up all you can on tank cycling.

 

[vipstatus]

what do you mean by fully cycled?

 

[vipstatus]

OK, i will search, thanks for helping me out. . . your hot

 

[mikeinnj]

to sum it up a tank that already has beneficial bacteria to take care of your ammonia and nitrite levels, your ammonia levels are probably up in the 55.

 

[siebertn]

you might wanne go and buy one of those test "things" to test your water that might explain alot.