New to this, am I doing it right?

[fish_are_friends]

As I see it we are at a stalemate. But, I feel sorry for the fish...so I would like to offer an olive branch the original poster..

A ten gallon is just too small, and aquarium salt does not a brackish tank make..

But we can help you keep them alive until you can upgrade to a better situation or re-home them.

No need for bio class- The Nitrogen Cycle. Fish produce ammonia. With out a cycled tank the ammonia is not converted into less toxic nitrates and nitrites...See, like a circle..ammonia to nitrites to nitrates..

Ideally you would have a liquid test kit to help you monitor the levels..You want 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites and <10 nitrates...

What "does" the cycle: Bacteria! Bacteria live in your filter media..so you should not change it. Yes, the filter makers want you to buy new ones every week..but really they should simply be cleaned lightly and changed rarely.

Until you have a cycled aquarium, you should change the water a few times a week. Asked your friend for used (wet) filter media to start the cycle in your tank. Then buy a proper test kit so you can monitor your levels.

Remember that fish keeping is a science, not a hobby like knitting. You have to learn to do it right. I know you mentioned a 10-13 year old gold fish, but gold fish can live substantially longer than that.

Everyone must start from the beginning. Some people start out thinking they know everything and end up killing fish, please do not be one of those people. Remember this is a science. It takes skill to do it right. You must learn those skills.

I know you think your friend knows what she is doing, but plain and simple she/he does not. Fish keeping is full of people who "think" they know what they are doing...but no one who knows what they are doing would advise you to change your filters every other week Because doing so takes away your bacteria and will kill fish...

Now, what else do you not understand or need help with. Ask and we shall help.

This was very helpful. My friend did not tell me to change the filters she didn't really say anything about them. I just thought I was supposed to. I am trying to do this right with what I am allowed to have.

 

[fish_are_friends]

Even if it is too late for the GSPs...we can always educate before the next fish is bought. (I am in a good mood today)

Hopefully the OP will listen to us and maybe be able to keep the GSPs alive until he/she can upgrade..

That is all I am asking. I have tried to tell everyone that I will upgrade as soon as I can. I just wanna keep them alive until I can do so.

 

[purplecandle]

Ok, at least you can try But, I have to be honest with you..in a ten gallon 3 GSPs will probably not make it..puffers have a high mortality rate already...so this is going to be like ice skating up hill..

First increase your water changes to at least daily or every other day...do not worry you bacteria is not in the water (well minute amounts, but not enough to notice)

Do you have any cash to buy liquid test kits...

Can you get some used filter media? Or buy some live bacteria...Dr. tims or Seachem's stability?

 

[fish_are_friends]

I am going to buy a new test kit, but I don't know which one to buy.

And as for the used filter media, I don't even know where to look for that.

 

[CCUsharknerd]

Just so the lot of you know I exist outside of the OP...

Simmer down kids.
When I say I make 1000 gal of SW a week, I mean I make 1000 gal of SW a week. I repeat, I work at an aquarium. We make our own seawater. Get over it.
I don't make a habit out of joining up with websites. Normally, I come, I read, I carry on, I go home. You don't have to be a member to read the posts here. I joined and I posted because this was, and still is, getting entirely out of hand. Regardless of your experience level (or lack thereof), none of you has any right to be ranting about impulse buys and telling the OP that she's going to die. It's childish and I won't stand for it.
Now, when one or the other of you can link me to something that WASN'T written by you, perhaps I'll be more inclined to believe. Until then, I agree with Purplecandle in that the only constructive thing to do here is be helpful to the OP.

 

[purplecandle]

I am going to buy a new test kit, but I don't know which one to buy.

And as for the used filter media, I don't even know where to look for that.

One of the best and easiest to find is the API Liquid Master test kit. I have seen Walmarts carry this, but rarely...usually you have to go to a pet store

http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.c...03csegb&ref=3312&subref=AA&CAWELAID=529145032

And while you are at the pet store..ask for some of their used filter media (DO NOT, let them talk you into a cycling product..because most of them Do Not work...they are just there to get your $$$) If you happen to find Seachem's stability get it, I have had success with it before (Call around to pet stores to see what they have and to see if they will give you some free used media)

 

[fish_are_friends]

Thank you I will do so right now.

 

[Pufferpunk]

Again PC, I am pretty sure after 2 months, that tank has all the nitrificating bacteria it can grow. That isn't the problem. The problem is the bioload. There never will be enough room in that tank to support enough bacteria for that.

As far as public aquariums--I had to correct the ID & care of many of the puffers they were keeping at the Shedd, here in Chicago.

 

[purplecandle]

CCUsharknerd -

I just want to say I understand your points...

But, I want to add...these are the experts on puffers. A year ago I was in the same boat as the OP. I had a GSP in a 20 gallon with goldfish LOL!!! I call those my dummy days! Anyways, I still have that GSP, along with others as I am a puffer addict and I owe it all to many of the same people who have posted in this thread.

Their credentials are spotless and most of what is known in the pufferfish keeping world has been written by them along with other PHDs, puffer addicts and veterinarians.

So argue with because you think they were rude or because you do not like them or whatever you like, but do not argue with their expertise because it is darn near flawless.

 

[CCUsharknerd]

I've never been to the Shedd. Our three puffers are fat and happy, though...that's one of them on my profile.

Glad to see you've managed to be nice again. People respond well to that.