what am i doing wrong:(

[Twe3k]

i came home today and another one of my tetra bit the dusk:(.. im doing daily water changes.. declor the tap.. keeping ammon below .25... now all i have left is 2 pelco and 1!!!!!!!! tetra... what should i do? This is almost my third week of cycling.. i feel bad for the 1 tetra.. i know hes lonely but im scared to put in more fish for him to school.. cause tank still cycling..

[cubby]

don't add fish. they will probly just die. sounds like the nitrite might be the culprit...... do you know the other parmas? am-nitrite-nitrate.....

i am surprised the plecos are still alive... aren't they usually pretty sensitive fish? and with a tank 3 weeks old, is there even algea for them to eat yet? i would like they are on borrowed time....

maybe take the plecos back... see about getting a few zebra danios, finish out the cycle and go from there... maybe?

[KingFisher]

I would just continue to cycle until it is done and slowly begin to restock. Normally I would recomend returning the fish and doing a fishless cycle, but I am aware of your situation from your previous threads.

[rookie]

what type of dechloranatior are you using. check to see if yours locks up free ammonia if not get something that does. that is just my opinion but im sure more knowlegeable people will help you out. list all your paramitors it might be the nitrite killing them

[cubby]

I would just continue to cycle until it is done and slowly begin to restock. Normally I would recomend returning the fish and doing a fishless cycle, but I am aware of your situation prom previous threads.

ah, didn't realise returning the plecos would be an issue.

good luck! lord knows i'm hoping for you! i have been at teh mercy of my own creation for a few weeks now! :(

[Twe3k]

im guessing the little guy isnt going to make it? The plecos are really active.. they look good.. im doing the test right now.. will update with result in a few

[Twe3k]

ammonia.. 0.25 after water change.. ..
nitrite.. .005

should i check for nitrates? there shouldnt be anything right? not until the above are zeroes?

[jackson17]

Are you using liquid test? I've never seen a test that shows .005, only .05.

[Wild Turkey]

ammonia.. 0.25 after water change.. ..
nitrite.. .005

should i check for nitrates? there shouldnt be anything right? not until the above are zeroes?

Nitrate production will begin as soon as you see decreases in nitrites


Since your tank is cycling, sensitive fishes are going to kick the bucket. .25 ammonia is almost nothing, but just the stress of a very small amount of ammonia can make problems worse and ultimately contribute to the death of the fish.

Just keep doing what you are doing, dont add anymore fish

[Northernguy]

Nitrate production will begin as soon as you see decreases in nitrites


Since your tank is cycling, sensitive fishes are going to kick the bucket. .25 ammonia is almost nothing, but just the stress of a very small amount of ammonia can make problems worse and ultimately contribute to the death of the fish.

Just keep doing what you are doing, dont add anymore fish

I agree! Your plecos will give you all the ammonia you need.

[Crispy]

Give those plecos some veggies because in a newly established tank, there is virtually nothing for them to eat. I recommend skinned zucchini, cucumber, or any type of melon. Put it in at night when it's "lights-out" and remove leftovers in the morn. Your plecos will surely appreciate it.

[cubby]

Give those plecos some veggies because in a newly established tank, there is virtually nothing for them to eat. I recommend skinned zucchini, cucumber, or any type of melon. Put it in at night when it's "lights-out" and remove leftovers in the morn. Your plecos will surely appreciate it.


i starved a pleco to death when i was younger and didn't know any better. poor guy. i STILL feel bad about that, 13 years later.

[Twe3k]

Are you using liquid test? I've never seen a test that shows .005, only .05.


yes my mistake, 0.05 is the reading, and i am using liquid test.. i feel bad for the tetra.. all aone.. he used to have friends... i feel soo guilty:*

[Twe3k]

Give those plecos some veggies because in a newly established tank, there is virtually nothing for them to eat. I recommend skinned zucchini, cucumber, or any type of melon. Put it in at night when it's "lights-out" and remove leftovers in the morn. Your plecos will surely appreciate it.


how big of a chunk do i normally put in?

[Crispy]

how big of a chunk do i normally put in?

Start small and see how much of it they eat... sometimes takes a few times for them to realize it's food. My 14" common pleco eats a half of a cucumber (6-7" piece) in a few hours. I'd cut an inch thick piece and try that.

[Cristoff]

Just a peeled cucumber sliced in half lengthwise then cut in half again should do fine. let him eat up, then pull the uneaten portion the next morning (is what I do)

I have also heard that Plecos are sensitive, but to be honest I'm just not seeing evidence of it. I could probably drop a hairdryer in my tank and my pleco would look at me like "hey that tickles"!:shappy:

He has been in almost every kind of tank situation imaginable, and come out bigger and stronger than ever. If he gets any tougher, I'm going to have to learn how to ride him...

[Twe3k]

Start small and see how much of it they eat... sometimes takes a few times for them to realize it's food. My 14" common pleco eats a half of a cucumber (6-7" piece) in a few hours. I'd cut an inch thick piece and try that.

thanks of the advice:)

[Crispy]

I have also heard that Plecos are sensitive, but to be honest I'm just not seeing evidence of it. I could probably drop a hairdryer in my tank and my pleco would look at me like "hey that tickles"!:shappy:

He has been in almost every kind of tank situation imaginable, and come out bigger and stronger than ever. If he gets any tougher, I'm going to have to learn how to ride him...

Same here, my pleco has been through everything and yet still thrives... I think they're very hardy once they hit 5-6"...

[Twe3k]

my plecs seem to be doing okay, they are active, they eat their food when i feed them.. i just thought i stayed on top of my water changes and parimeter enough that my tetras was gonna make it thru the cycle:(

[Cristoff]

Twe3k, I know it's a bummer to lose a few, but I'd love to see ANYONE on this or any other forum that hasn't suffered some loss due to inexperience or bad advice.

The important thing is that you CARE what happens to the fish, and that you are doing everything in your power to learn and do things right. Because of that, you WILL succeed!thumbs2:

[Twe3k]

thanks Cristoff for those encouraging words.. this mistake will never happen agian:)