Argh.... lost one of my Serpae Tetras

**mrramsey** · 12-03-2012, 04:25 PM

Originally Posted by fishmommie

++ gorgeous

Tank you both!

OK I will do larger WC's - I am going to go buy a small pump so as to make replacing the water easier - taking it down that low makes it a real pain adding the water back in because the STS is so light.

I too am perplexed at the 0 nitrates. The question is what to do about it. Is there any other way to ensure that the params are correct?

I guess I could take a sample to petco and have them test it. They use the test strips. I guess I could get some of those as well - maybe I have a bad test kit??

**imma24** · 12-03-2012, 04:34 PM

I wouldn't take a water sample to Petco - test strips aren't worth the trip otherwise they would have been recommended to you.

The only advice is to religiously follow the instructions to use your liquid kit properly and make sure all your parameters are staying stable - maybe test once a week for a month to make sure everything is staying the same.

**mrramsey** · 12-03-2012, 04:46 PM

I have been logging weekly since the rescape on 11/11 and all of the tests have been 0,0,0 for ammonia, nitrites and nitrates.

**steeler1** · 12-03-2012, 04:47 PM

Originally Posted by andreahp

The only way you could have destroyed the BB is by tossing the media (and replacing it with new media) in your filter instead of just rinsing the old stuff in tank water - most of it lives in there - we all clean substrate and decorations sometimes but that probably wouldn't make you lose your cycle.

Perhaps this fish was being bullied by another fish?

Andrea makes a good point here. Don't forget Serpae are related to Piranha (characin familey) and take after their characteristic's more so than other tetras. The serpae seem to sense any weakness in a group member and will bully him so keep an eye on this.

**imma24** · 12-03-2012, 04:48 PM

And as you mentioned, you also had these results prior to the rescaping right? Considering you kept your media wet and in contact with your fish during that time, it's not like the BB had a chance to die off - so again, hopefully none of your other fish will show the same behavior and they will all remain in good health.

**mrramsey** · 12-03-2012, 05:02 PM

Originally Posted by steeler1

Andrea makes a good point here. Don't forget Serpae are related to Piranha (characin familey) and take after their characteristic's more so than other tetras. The serpae seem to sense any weakness in a group member and will bully him so keep an eye on this.

Interesting... I did not know this.

Originally Posted by andreahp

And as you mentioned, you also had these results prior to the rescaping right?

That is also correct. The readings have always been that way except for the initial cycle when I got the tank.

**steeler1** · 12-03-2012, 05:07 PM

By the way your tank looks realy good!!!

**fishmommie** · 12-03-2012, 05:09 PM

Just double checking. When you test for nitrates, you add 10 drops to the vial from bottle 1, cap and shake, then shake bottle 2 for a good 30 seconds before adding 10 drops, cap and shake for 60? wait 5 minutes for full results.
If you don't follow those steps to the letter, you won't get an accurate reading.

**mrramsey** · 12-03-2012, 05:15 PM

Originally Posted by fishmommie

Just double checking. When you test for nitrates, you add 10 drops to the vial from bottle 1, cap and shake, then shake bottle 2 for a good 30 seconds before adding 10 drops, cap and shake for 60? wait 5 minutes for full results.
If you don't follow those steps to the letter, you won't get an accurate reading.

Thanks Steeler!

@fishmommie - hmm I add 10 from #1 then 10 from #2 then shake for 60 and wait 5. I will retest it right now and see what the results are.