Help...sad..frustrated...confused..they all died..

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C

chrisredfield003

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Mar 27, 2012
41
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0
SAN ANTONIO
My 3 sunset platy died
my 3 mickey mouse platy died
my 3 black fin platy died
my 3 black molly died...
Pleco fish died
2 fiddler crabs died....

I figured each time it was just bad luck...Now I'm thinking I'm missing some fundamentals...
I don't have tools to check water content what do i need?The water looks so dirty after many water changes and my fish keep dying..The water has little bits of waste and stuff i tried to change the water but It always looks so gross.The few fish i Bought add up to around thirty dollars worth of platy and random fish pleco and other random cheap starter fish...but they all died...

1.Is it ok to use no substrate?Im using aquarium rocks small bits..So i can vac the tank easier?

2.What kind of ph test do I buy what kind of ph do regular platy need?

how do i test for ammonia and nitrates?My last platy and dragon fish are ok..my albino frog is ok...I think My dragon fish is gonna die now also...

3. I guess im getting new filters and I'm gonna try to run 2 20 gallon filters at once in the same 10 gallon tank..

any more tips can someone answer these questions??
U can text or call me and help or help here just pm me..I'm planning on getting the correct tools and start again with micke mouse platy or balloon platy...PLEASE HELP.. I'm so discouraged and my girlfriend is starting to try to talk me out of my new hobby.
 
Dont get discouraged, everyone learns some where. How long has your tank been setup? Remember it takes roughly 6 weeks for a tank to cycle, during that time your fish are at risk, do yourself a favor, google the nitrogen cycle, or how to cycle aquarium, it might explain yout loses. As for substrate, you dont have to have any, i have just enough so the bottom of my tank is covered, makes it super easy to clean. As for running more than 1 filter, do it. i run a canister filter and a hang on filter, canister gets more off the bottom, hang on gets more mid level and top. Now testing your water is pretty simple, most pet stores that sell fish will test your water for you, i always like to have a test kit to do it myself. You can get a liquid test kit, it tests everything, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, GH, PH, and something else im totally forgetting, but you get the point. The easiest way would be to buy the test strips, they arnt as accurate, but they will do the trick, they also test all of those things usually, you simply dip it in the water stir it around and pull it out, read it in 30 seconds. Also DO NOT get a pleco right away, its better to get an established tank so there is algae in the tank, i havnt had any luck feeding them the algae waffers so thats just my general reccomendation in there for you. Hope this helps you out a little.
 
aclockworkorange said:
If she's talking you out of it now, imagine when you have 1000 gallons worth of tanks in your two bedroom house... Maybe I'm projecting. ;)


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Maybe a little bit of projecting,i love saying dont worry babe this is my last upgrade.

To op dont let this situation get you down we were all new at one time. Also part of the problem could be your tank needs to be stocked more wisely
 
Yeah, don't stay discouraged. I killed lots of fish, I had no good advisors. but you have the internet and this forum!
Go to the setup and filtration section of MFK and read the sticky notes at the top about caring for your water.
Keep in mind, small tanks have less margin for error. I started with a 10G too. so learn about filtration. filter manufacturers over-rate the gallons that filters really manage. Very very important about regular water changes. Small tanks go downhill faster. That's way more important than ph.
If you buy test strip kits, One kit does everything except ammonia. Real important, there is a separate, single strip test for that.
Don't add any fish until you understand about getting your water safe, and have done that!
You've been over feeding (your water being so dirty). most people start out like that, so don't feel bad.

DON'T trust the store employees about choosing fish. ask people here, and stock it slower. Especially bcuz you have live bearers. When you keep them healthy they'll start multiplying, and that's half the fun of starting a first small tank.

When it's time to get a couple more fish, include GF in choices. but AFTER you get help here so they survive better.
Girls usually get more interested in seeing the tiny babies appear and grow, so maybe you can get another tank for her to do that!
IF your last platy is a female, she might be pregnant already.
 
My buddy kept killing things in his tank, took us a while to figure out why. Are you a smoker? Nicotine on your fingers can kill things in a 10g.
 
petspoiler said:
Girls usually get more interested in seeing the tiny babies appear and grow...
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I don't agree with that! Lol. My favorite thing about my livebearers fry is that I get to feed them to my big fish ;)

OP, don't get discouraged. It's a great hobby and the people on here will be glad to help you, as long as you're willing to take our advice.


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BCherdingthefish said:
I don't agree with that! Lol. My favorite thing about my livebearers fry is that I get to feed them to my big fish ;)
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He is talking about his gf who is NOT into fish. totally different from an advanced keeper. My point was- raising livebearers can often be the first hook in developing an interest.
Plus if she likes it, he can give her the 10G to raise fry and upgrade his tank.

"Strateegery", as GWBush would say!
 
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