Tropical Fish Forums

[MichaelOverHere]

Hello, I'm Michael and I'm a Student from Northern Ireland, I am basically a complete beginner for fish keeping but have ventured in as a hobby.

Started off with 2 Goldfish in a small, filterless tank then, got given 3 fish and a pretty decent 49 litre tank (with filters, lights etc) then after they passed the tank has sat empty and depressing looking.

Was off school for a week and though I'm going to do something with that tank, so I cleaned it all out (flooded the bathroom doing so) went to the local fish store and got ornaments, plants, heater etc. and started on my way to building up a Tropical community tank.



After some fish-less cycling I went to the fish shop and they recommended starting off with some Guppies to start with the Ammonia -> nitric - nitrate stuff and all these fancy bacteria.

Started of with 5 male guppies, but now only have 3 (I think victim of bullying by the alpha male fish as they had nipped fins but got water all checked and other than a little bit of Ammonia developing it was fine)



So, thats my short fish history, please introduce yourselves

[diademhill]

Hi & welcome.

I don't think you did a fishless cycle and please find another shop if "they recommended starting off with some Guppies to start with the Ammonia -> nitric - nitrate stuff and all these fancy bacteria." If you did do a fishless cycle the ammonia/nitrite vbacteria would have been in place & if you hadn't thier quizzing and advice would have meant you didn't tell us you "After some fish-less cycling".

Your fish died because the tank wasn't ready Many shops would rather sell something than give good advice & make a sale later.

The only acceptable ammonia reading is zero.

For now be ready to do regular water changes and just add a dechlorinator. The cycle will take around 6 weeks with three guppies.

[MichaelOverHere]

Hmm yes after reading a very long post on fish less cycling it appears I've been mis-informed by the shop assistant on a number of things, unfortunately its the only fish shop (relatively) near me (still about 20 mile drive) which is why I've came on the web to this forum.