Well Water!

[forgetmyname]

Hello. I live near the middle of nowhere in Washington, and where I'm at we have a private well. It is of great quality, human-health wise, certainly not polluted, but I recently started up a 20gal. Originally I had One Blue Gourami and One Bamboo Shrimp to just test the water after having it running a few days. After 48 hours without fatalities I bought more fish to prepare for cycling.. Total: 2 Blue Gouramis, 1 Kribensis, 1 Rainbow Shark, 1 Bamboo Shrimp. The gouramis seem to lazily float just above the gravel, and one of them isn't interested in food at all. The shark's having a blast, great dark color, and the Kribensis is the most curious fish I've ever had. I'm wondering if I should check the water conditions of the well, or just call it safe and monitor the tank cycle.

Anything else to watch out for would be much appreciated, as this is my first aquarium with the well water!

[RobbieG]

I would test the well water JIC - it is possible to have a really wacky PH that would stress your fish.

Shrimp are very sensitive to ammonia and you should wait till you have cycled and established the tank to put them in. You may want to take him back if you can.

Keep a sharp eye on your parameters with the fish in there & good luck!

[Lady Hobbs]

If you haven't cycled your tank prior to adding your fish, you will have to test for ammonia in a very short time. Gourami's don't do well in an uncycled tank and appear to be quite delicate and unable to take water conditions less than perfect.

I doubt anything is wrong with your water. Do you have any type of purifying system on it? Sometimes neighboring farms will use fertilizers and manure on their fields that can leech into the water vein but I doubt you have a problem. It takes awhile for some fish to feel at home. My gourami's were not huge swimmers. They pretty much hung out in the center of the tank just getting in everyone way. LOL

[kkyyllee]

i dont think its the water, ther jst getting used to the tank, just remmeber to test for amonia and do water changes

[MeganL3985]

I have well water also, I did a test on the regular tap water just in case. Turned out fine, but I would do the same if I were you. That way you know exactly what you have....and if your going to have to deal with anything extra.

[forgetmyname]

Hmm, sounds like I made the wrong fish choices for cycling :|
I am planning on doing just 10-20% water changes weekly to deal with the ammonia & following cycles, but would it be better just to return the gouramis and shrimp for the time being and replace them with a hardier fish? I'd feel bad putting them through the stress of going back to the store, but definitely would be worth it if necessary.

And I'll go to Petco and since I'm picking up the Ammonia/Nitrite test kit I'll see if there's one with everything to include the hardness and pH of the well water too.

& no, no purifier.. But there are farms in the area.. Hmm..

Thanks for your interest & input!