Oh my, another new tank thread... fish acting funny

[bassboi]

Hey guys!

been a while since I been here... but i was so amazed by the knowledge of you guys that I came back once I got my aquarium back.

Ok, to get things started, I have a 10g set up... which I did about 2 days ago. I let it the filter run for the first 24 hours to maybe filter out any debris in the tank that got in there while setting it up.

I then went and picked up 2 small tiger barbs to allow it to start the cycle. Although, this is where I'm worried.

Both tiger barbs are in each a corner, on the bottom, kind of shaking and swimming in place.

I tested the water, the nitrates and nitrites are safe, the water is kind of hard, the alkalinity (KH) is a bit high, and i would say the PH is kind of high too.

I'm kind of thinking that the reason they're doing this is because of the water....

Any other ideas?!

Thanks!

[smoochxoxo]

what are your ammonia readings? I don't think you would have anything much after just 2 days. Also did you de chlorinate the water? I don't know much about barbs so not sure of their behavior but that doesn't sound to normal? Maybe they are just hiding from being in a new place?
If this is a new tank I wouldn't worry about Nitrates yet...that will be the end result of your cycle. BUT you do want to make sure you know what your Ammonia is every day so they don't get stressed by toxic levels.
gl

[fins_n_fur]

Did you acclimate the fish at all? If so, how? And how long where they in a bag from store to tank?

[sandy_n]

If you're going to cycle with fish you need to get out asap and get a test kit for ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. It measures ph levels too but for now you're only interested in those three. The one most of us use is the API Master Test Kit. Everyday you'll have to test your water to check ammonia levels and once those start rising you'll want to start checking your nitrite and then nitrate levels. You'll also be doing water changes frequently to help keep that ammonia level from getting too high.
I don't mean to presume anything because I noticed you've been here before, but I would suggest going to the beginners corner and reading all the stickies on cycling a new tank. Also, if you look to the left of the page under Menu you'll see Free Aquarium Ebook. You can download that and read up on things that may have changed.
Good luck and keep asking questions.

[GreenTerrorNYC]

Well since the tank is newly set up, make sure you conditioned the water with a product like Stress Coat (or whatever), and make sure you dont over feed them as extra food will cause a spike in ammonia, dont change the filter medium until the cycle completes, and monitor your ammonia levels if there is a spike do water changes till the level is safe.

But your fish are bugged out from being in a new place, and the water they are in is different then their previous environment, they should warm up to the tank in a couple of days. You will start to see them test the borders of the tank, they are measuring their boundaries. Totally normal.

Good luck with the cycle, i am still going through this, kind of a pain in the ass and you feel bad for the fish, my advice is dont feed them too much, lil bit every other day, they will be able to survive.

[Wild Turkey]

If you're going to cycle with fish you need to get out asap and get a test kit for ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. It measures ph levels too but for now you're only interested in those three. The one most of us use is the API Master Test Kit. Everyday you'll have to test your water to check ammonia levels and once those start rising you'll want to start checking your nitrite and then nitrate levels. You'll also be doing water changes frequently to help keep that ammonia level from getting too high.
I don't mean to presume anything because I noticed you've been here before, but I would suggest going to the beginners corner and reading all the stickies on cycling a new tank. Also, if you look to the left of the page under Menu you'll see Free Aquarium Ebook. You can download that and read up on things that may have changed.
Good luck and keep asking questions.

Couldnt have said it better myself, without an ammonia reading we cant really tell you whats up, but thats most likley whats going on if you were careful about introducing your fish to the tank.

[bassboi]

I'm sorry guys, the ammonia level is.... according to my jungle labs test kit, 'Ideal'.

on the bottle it says 0ppm as being ideal...

I'm going to do a partial water change with some soft water...

[Wild Turkey]

I'm sorry guys, the ammonia level is.... according to my jungle labs test kit, 'Ideal'.

on the bottle it says 0ppm as being ideal...

I'm going to do a partial water change with some soft water...

Honestly, That may do more harm than good. I would leave the ph as it is for a while until the fish gets used to its surroundings even if i was going to mess around with the hardness/ph. Which i also dont recommend

[bassboi]

alrighty then... thanks for all the info guys

I think they may need some hiding spots as the aquarium is just rocks, heater, and pump... one of the little buggers is hiding behind the thermometer right now

although, they do tend to stay on the bottom of the tank

[Nick_Pavlovski]

Get some live plants in there, and see if the LFS will let you bring some of the tankwater home too.

[smaug]

hello there.First and foremost your tank is not cycled by a long shot,the fishes behavior has nothing to do with the hardness of your water.Next,tigers need at least 6 to do well in a tank ,any less then that and you will have nonstop harassment.Tigers do not need hiding spaces and are normally found swimming the center of the tank.Back to your water.In a short period of a few days of having fish in it you will not see any readings for a little while longer,especially with only 2 little barbs.The good news ,tigers are fairly hardy and will do ok with a fishy cycle if you do your job and check your water every day with a quality test kit [not dip strips].Your ammo will pop first then your nitrite and then nitrates ,you will have all 3 for a little while till the nitrifying bacteria convert all the ammo to trites then finally to trates,after about a week and a half of you doing your job of water changes and testing to head off any ammo spikes the cycle will be in full swing and everything will be peachy.Oh yeah,one more thing,do not mess with the ph at ALL while trying to cycle a tank,if your ph is under 7.7 or so,don't mess with it at all ,period.

[bassboi]

thanks for the very informative post... now i see what really happens in an aquarium ecosystem...

oh and by the way, you're right. the bigger barb has been harassing the other since i turned off the light...

they got more active when the light was off, too

thanks to all who replied

[smoochxoxo]

:19: I am glad you have the information you needed. Keep us posted as to how things go. I have never had a tiger barb but they sure look like cool little fish! GL
Hugs

[bassboi]

everything is going fine... i went ahead and got 2 more small tiger barbs and now they don't harass eachother...

although, the colors on them seem to be fading... i'll try and get a picture

[smaug]

Tigers coloration fades and darkens with there mood.More vivid the more excited.

[Lady Hobbs]

If you're going to cycle with fish, I'd have used danio's or feeder goldfish. Fish that go thru a cycle seldom make it without ending up with ick or fin rot or secondary disease due to the high stress it puts on them.

[bassboi]

Well its been about a week and so far, so good.

I was able to go to my girlfriend's house and get some junk(bacteria n crap) from the filter there, and bring it back here to this filter.

I just took the floss out the filter and let some of the water drain in a ziploc bag and then dumped it in the filter over here. I noticed the ammonia levels kind of dropped, and are non-existant now.

I also added some amazon swords.. mainly because I've wanted plants for a while now...

a couple pics for you to enjoy... nothing fantastic.

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[sandy_n]

Hey they're looking good so far! Nice pics.

[Nick_Pavlovski]

It's well on it's way - great!

[bassboi]

Thanks guys! The feedback is appreciated :)