Some more questions

[Jeff]

Some may recall I posted last week, bought a 20 gallon tank and dont know
jack (Except what Ive learned so far and mostly from here). Have some more
questions.

I got the Ph and acidity levels in the tank to normal for tropical fish.
Purchased all three filters for the Aquaclear pump. Treated the water and
had let it set for 5 days making sure the ph and such were normal. According
to my test strips, everything was/is good to go. But I have a few more
questions (ANd will probably have more in the future). TIA to anyone who
answers, here they are.

a. EVen though the test strips showed everything good to go for 5 days, the
water is still cloudy. I read somewhere that the Bio-Max filter would clear
this up and it could take up to 6 weeks. So, is this true? Could I have a
cloudy tank for 6 weeks or more? Is it really a bio problem causing the
cloudiness, normally?

b. I went to Petsmart and talked to the girl at the fish section. When I
told her I wanted a couple of fish to basically test my tank she asked me
what kind of tank I wanted and rattled off about 8 different types of tank.
I decided on a Community Tank although she did mention a different tank for
color with only one type of fish (That came in 3 or 4 different colors). I
did get two fish, two Red Mollies, they are both males. My question here is,
what type of fish should I add to this "Community" tank that are colorful,
easy to take care of (She pointed out some are very hard to keep alive) and
not agressive. This is only a 20 gallon tank.

c. I put the Mollies in the tank per instructions. Wondering if thier
actions are normal. When they went into the tank, they went straight to the
bottom and sat there for about a minute. They then started darting all over
the place. Now they keep going back and forth from top to bottom (One seems
to be feeding). Is this normal behavior? They havent keeled over and floated
to the top yet so I guess thats a good sign.

d. The aquaclear pump is pumping hard, but even though the water in the tank
is only an inch from the top, the water flow from the pump forces water down
to almost the bottom of the tank. When the fish swim into it they are
immediatly thrown around and all the way to the top of the tank. Seems to me
that this is almost like losing a 1/4 of the tank because of water movement.
Is this normal? Do the fish learn to avoid this or is there some adjustment
in order?

Thanks
J

[Fishman]

Jeff,

First, congratulations on your new tank. I hope that you will find this
hobby rewarding like the rest of us. Just remember that typically the most
difficult part is setting up a tank and getting it stabilized. Once you
have mastered this, the work portion of this hobby is over and it's all fun
from there on.

You had mentioned cloudy water. I would assume that the cloudiness is white
in color as opposed to green. White cloudy water is typical in new set ups
and is indicative of a bacterial bloom as your tank tries to complete that
all important nitrogen cycle. Green cloudy water is an algae bloom.

I would like to stress the importance of an ammonia, nitrite (not nitrate)
test kit during this time. When the tank cycles, the levels of ammonia and
nitrite can reach toxic levels for your fish. water changes will help, but
they do not alleviate the problem. Besides, you need to go through this,
and if you remove all the ammonia systematically, your tank will never
truely cycle.

I'm not familliar with livebearers (such as your Mollys) so I would like to
defer any suggestions about fish for your tank to those with more experience
with them.

It is typical for new fish to "run and hide" when first place in a tank.
They just went through a traumatic experience and they need to get use to
their new home. Turning the lights off during an introduction of any fish
will also help reduce the stress. Keep an eye on them just to make sure
that they're alive and well and they should come out and be "normal" within
a day or two.

I am curious to know how much water flow your aquaclear produces after your
description. I have used powerheads on a UGF and have not had any problems
when I calculate my total powerhead flow to be 6 times the tank volume. For
example, with your 20 gallon tank, I would use a total of 120 gph. This
level of flow gave me clear tanks without shoving the fish all over the
tank. Yes, there can be a strong current coming just out of the powerhead.
Some of my fish like to play in it, but I would like to stress NOT to aim
that current towards the glass or any other object. Using deflectors that
are attached directly to the current output is one way to distribute the
current and make it less aggressive.

Justin



"Jeff" > wrote in message
...
> Some may recall I posted last week, bought a 20 gallon tank and dont know
> jack (Except what Ive learned so far and mostly from here). Have some more
> questions.
>
> I got the Ph and acidity levels in the tank to normal for tropical fish.
> Purchased all three filters for the Aquaclear pump. Treated the water and
> had let it set for 5 days making sure the ph and such were normal.
According
> to my test strips, everything was/is good to go. But I have a few more
> questions (ANd will probably have more in the future). TIA to anyone who
> answers, here they are.
>
> a. EVen though the test strips showed everything good to go for 5 days,
the
> water is still cloudy. I read somewhere that the Bio-Max filter would
clear
> this up and it could take up to 6 weeks. So, is this true? Could I have a
> cloudy tank for 6 weeks or more? Is it really a bio problem causing the
> cloudiness, normally?
>
> b. I went to Petsmart and talked to the girl at the fish section. When I
> told her I wanted a couple of fish to basically test my tank she asked me
> what kind of tank I wanted and rattled off about 8 different types of
tank.
> I decided on a Community Tank although she did mention a different tank
for
> color with only one type of fish (That came in 3 or 4 different colors). I
> did get two fish, two Red Mollies, they are both males. My question here
is,
> what type of fish should I add to this "Community" tank that are colorful,
> easy to take care of (She pointed out some are very hard to keep alive)
and
> not agressive. This is only a 20 gallon tank.
>
> c. I put the Mollies in the tank per instructions. Wondering if thier
> actions are normal. When they went into the tank, they went straight to
the
> bottom and sat there for about a minute. They then started darting all
over
> the place. Now they keep going back and forth from top to bottom (One
seems
> to be feeding). Is this normal behavior? They havent keeled over and
floated
> to the top yet so I guess thats a good sign.
>
> d. The aquaclear pump is pumping hard, but even though the water in the
tank
> is only an inch from the top, the water flow from the pump forces water
down
> to almost the bottom of the tank. When the fish swim into it they are
> immediatly thrown around and all the way to the top of the tank. Seems to
me
> that this is almost like losing a 1/4 of the tank because of water
movement.
> Is this normal? Do the fish learn to avoid this or is there some
adjustment
> in order?
>
> Thanks
> J
>
>

[Jeff]

"Fishman" > wrote in message
news:78J0f.141$dl.127@trnddc08...
> Jeff,
>
> First, congratulations on your new tank. I hope that you will find this
> hobby rewarding like the rest of us. Just remember that typically the
most
> difficult part is setting up a tank and getting it stabilized. Once you
> have mastered this, the work portion of this hobby is over and it's all
fun
> from there on.
>
> You had mentioned cloudy water. I would assume that the cloudiness is
white
> in color as opposed to green. White cloudy water is typical in new set
ups
> and is indicative of a bacterial bloom as your tank tries to complete that
> all important nitrogen cycle. Green cloudy water is an algae bloom.
>
> I would like to stress the importance of an ammonia, nitrite (not nitrate)
> test kit during this time. When the tank cycles, the levels of ammonia
and
> nitrite can reach toxic levels for your fish. water changes will help,
but
> they do not alleviate the problem. Besides, you need to go through this,
> and if you remove all the ammonia systematically, your tank will never
> truely cycle.
>
> I'm not familliar with livebearers (such as your Mollys) so I would like
to
> defer any suggestions about fish for your tank to those with more
experience
> with them.
>
> It is typical for new fish to "run and hide" when first place in a tank.
> They just went through a traumatic experience and they need to get use to
> their new home. Turning the lights off during an introduction of any fish
> will also help reduce the stress. Keep an eye on them just to make sure
> that they're alive and well and they should come out and be "normal"
within
> a day or two.
>
> I am curious to know how much water flow your aquaclear produces after
your
> description. I have used powerheads on a UGF and have not had any
problems
> when I calculate my total powerhead flow to be 6 times the tank volume.
For
> example, with your 20 gallon tank, I would use a total of 120 gph. This
> level of flow gave me clear tanks without shoving the fish all over the
> tank. Yes, there can be a strong current coming just out of the
powerhead.
> Some of my fish like to play in it, but I would like to stress NOT to aim
> that current towards the glass or any other object. Using deflectors that
> are attached directly to the current output is one way to distribute the
> current and make it less aggressive.
>
> Justin
>
>
>
> "Jeff" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Some may recall I posted last week, bought a 20 gallon tank and dont
know
> > jack (Except what Ive learned so far and mostly from here). Have some
more
> > questions.
> >
> > I got the Ph and acidity levels in the tank to normal for tropical fish.
> > Purchased all three filters for the Aquaclear pump. Treated the water
and
> > had let it set for 5 days making sure the ph and such were normal.
> According
> > to my test strips, everything was/is good to go. But I have a few more
> > questions (ANd will probably have more in the future). TIA to anyone who
> > answers, here they are.
> >
> > a. EVen though the test strips showed everything good to go for 5 days,
> the
> > water is still cloudy. I read somewhere that the Bio-Max filter would
> clear
> > this up and it could take up to 6 weeks. So, is this true? Could I have
a
> > cloudy tank for 6 weeks or more? Is it really a bio problem causing the
> > cloudiness, normally?
> >
> > b. I went to Petsmart and talked to the girl at the fish section. When I
> > told her I wanted a couple of fish to basically test my tank she asked
me
> > what kind of tank I wanted and rattled off about 8 different types of
> tank.
> > I decided on a Community Tank although she did mention a different tank
> for
> > color with only one type of fish (That came in 3 or 4 different colors).
I
> > did get two fish, two Red Mollies, they are both males. My question here
> is,
> > what type of fish should I add to this "Community" tank that are
colorful,
> > easy to take care of (She pointed out some are very hard to keep alive)
> and
> > not agressive. This is only a 20 gallon tank.
> >
> > c. I put the Mollies in the tank per instructions. Wondering if thier
> > actions are normal. When they went into the tank, they went straight to
> the
> > bottom and sat there for about a minute. They then started darting all
> over
> > the place. Now they keep going back and forth from top to bottom (One
> seems
> > to be feeding). Is this normal behavior? They havent keeled over and
> floated
> > to the top yet so I guess thats a good sign.
> >
> > d. The aquaclear pump is pumping hard, but even though the water in the
> tank
> > is only an inch from the top, the water flow from the pump forces water
> down
> > to almost the bottom of the tank. When the fish swim into it they are
> > immediatly thrown around and all the way to the top of the tank. Seems
to
> me
> > that this is almost like losing a 1/4 of the tank because of water
> movement.
> > Is this normal? Do the fish learn to avoid this or is there some
> adjustment
> > in order?
> >

One of the Mollies just died, lasted about 6 hours, looked fine then just
keeled over and floated around.

[Fishman]

Sorry to hear that.
Check the other fish. Behaving normally? If so, still test the water!
Ammonia and Nitrite! Temp? pH?

If you have a dechlorinator such as Amquel or Prime, you might want to
consider a partial water change. This would reduce the concentration of any
toxic compounds in your tank and ease the stress on your remaining fish. If
you don't have a dechorinator as mentioned, doing a water change will reduce
the ammonia and nitrite, but you will also add chlorine and chloramine.
Both of which are also toxic. Some dechlorinators now also reduce ammonia
and nitrite as well as treat tap water for chlorine and chloramine. Just
adding some of this to the tank can also redue the stress from excessive
ammonia and nitrite.

Justin

"Jeff" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Fishman" > wrote in message
> news:78J0f.141$dl.127@trnddc08...
> > Jeff,
> >
> > First, congratulations on your new tank. I hope that you will find this
> > hobby rewarding like the rest of us. Just remember that typically the
> most
> > difficult part is setting up a tank and getting it stabilized. Once you
> > have mastered this, the work portion of this hobby is over and it's all
> fun
> > from there on.
> >
> > You had mentioned cloudy water. I would assume that the cloudiness is
> white
> > in color as opposed to green. White cloudy water is typical in new set
> ups
> > and is indicative of a bacterial bloom as your tank tries to complete
that
> > all important nitrogen cycle. Green cloudy water is an algae bloom.
> >
> > I would like to stress the importance of an ammonia, nitrite (not
nitrate)
> > test kit during this time. When the tank cycles, the levels of ammonia
> and
> > nitrite can reach toxic levels for your fish. water changes will help,
> but
> > they do not alleviate the problem. Besides, you need to go through
this,
> > and if you remove all the ammonia systematically, your tank will never
> > truely cycle.
> >
> > I'm not familliar with livebearers (such as your Mollys) so I would like
> to
> > defer any suggestions about fish for your tank to those with more
> experience
> > with them.
> >
> > It is typical for new fish to "run and hide" when first place in a tank.
> > They just went through a traumatic experience and they need to get use
to
> > their new home. Turning the lights off during an introduction of any
fish
> > will also help reduce the stress. Keep an eye on them just to make sure
> > that they're alive and well and they should come out and be "normal"
> within
> > a day or two.
> >
> > I am curious to know how much water flow your aquaclear produces after
> your
> > description. I have used powerheads on a UGF and have not had any
> problems
> > when I calculate my total powerhead flow to be 6 times the tank volume.
> For
> > example, with your 20 gallon tank, I would use a total of 120 gph. This
> > level of flow gave me clear tanks without shoving the fish all over the
> > tank. Yes, there can be a strong current coming just out of the
> powerhead.
> > Some of my fish like to play in it, but I would like to stress NOT to
aim
> > that current towards the glass or any other object. Using deflectors
that
> > are attached directly to the current output is one way to distribute the
> > current and make it less aggressive.
> >
> > Justin
> >
> >
> >
> > "Jeff" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > Some may recall I posted last week, bought a 20 gallon tank and dont
> know
> > > jack (Except what Ive learned so far and mostly from here). Have some
> more
> > > questions.
> > >
> > > I got the Ph and acidity levels in the tank to normal for tropical
fish.
> > > Purchased all three filters for the Aquaclear pump. Treated the water
> and
> > > had let it set for 5 days making sure the ph and such were normal.
> > According
> > > to my test strips, everything was/is good to go. But I have a few more
> > > questions (ANd will probably have more in the future). TIA to anyone
who
> > > answers, here they are.
> > >
> > > a. EVen though the test strips showed everything good to go for 5
days,
> > the
> > > water is still cloudy. I read somewhere that the Bio-Max filter would
> > clear
> > > this up and it could take up to 6 weeks. So, is this true? Could I
have
> a
> > > cloudy tank for 6 weeks or more? Is it really a bio problem causing
the
> > > cloudiness, normally?
> > >
> > > b. I went to Petsmart and talked to the girl at the fish section. When
I
> > > told her I wanted a couple of fish to basically test my tank she asked
> me
> > > what kind of tank I wanted and rattled off about 8 different types of
> > tank.
> > > I decided on a Community Tank although she did mention a different
tank
> > for
> > > color with only one type of fish (That came in 3 or 4 different
colors).
> I
> > > did get two fish, two Red Mollies, they are both males. My question
here
> > is,
> > > what type of fish should I add to this "Community" tank that are
> colorful,
> > > easy to take care of (She pointed out some are very hard to keep
alive)
> > and
> > > not agressive. This is only a 20 gallon tank.
> > >
> > > c. I put the Mollies in the tank per instructions. Wondering if thier
> > > actions are normal. When they went into the tank, they went straight
to
> > the
> > > bottom and sat there for about a minute. They then started darting all
> > over
> > > the place. Now they keep going back and forth from top to bottom (One
> > seems
> > > to be feeding). Is this normal behavior? They havent keeled over and
> > floated
> > > to the top yet so I guess thats a good sign.
> > >
> > > d. The aquaclear pump is pumping hard, but even though the water in
the
> > tank
> > > is only an inch from the top, the water flow from the pump forces
water
> > down
> > > to almost the bottom of the tank. When the fish swim into it they are
> > > immediatly thrown around and all the way to the top of the tank. Seems
> to
> > me
> > > that this is almost like losing a 1/4 of the tank because of water
> > movement.
> > > Is this normal? Do the fish learn to avoid this or is there some
> > adjustment
> > > in order?
> > >
>
> One of the Mollies just died, lasted about 6 hours, looked fine then just
> keeled over and floated around.
>
>

[Eric]

On Wed, 5 Oct 2005 00:14:02 -0500, Jeff wrote
(in article >):


> One of the Mollies just died, lasted about 6 hours, looked fine then just
> keeled over and floated around.
>


It may just be the case that you ran afoul of some week mollies. I wouldn't
buy mollies from one of the big chains (or really anywhere) without asking
whether anyone knew how long they'd been there. Unless it's been about ten or
more days, I wouldn't get them. I'd also make sure there's not a single fish
that is clamping its fins in the tank.

Fish at eye level tend to turn over the fastest. If the store has multiple
varieties of the same type of fish stacked on top of each other, you might
get healthier fish if you select form the bottom row.

If things don't work out with the mollies, there's always white clouds

-E

[Beano]

or fancy tail guppies. Guppies are good!

[Beano]

My first fish ever, were Mollies - they died in a week. Hope you have
better luck with them!

[Justice]

Jeff wrote:
> Some may recall I posted last week, bought a 20 gallon tank and dont know
> jack (Except what Ive learned so far and mostly from here). Have some more
> questions.
>
> I got the Ph and acidity levels in the tank to normal for tropical fish.
> Purchased all three filters for the Aquaclear pump. Treated the water and
> had let it set for 5 days making sure the ph and such were normal. According
> to my test strips, everything was/is good to go. But I have a few more
> questions (ANd will probably have more in the future). TIA to anyone who
> answers, here they are.
>
> a. EVen though the test strips showed everything good to go for 5 days, the
> water is still cloudy. I read somewhere that the Bio-Max filter would clear
> this up and it could take up to 6 weeks. So, is this true? Could I have a
> cloudy tank for 6 weeks or more? Is it really a bio problem causing the
> cloudiness, normally?
>
> b. I went to Petsmart and talked to the girl at the fish section. When I
> told her I wanted a couple of fish to basically test my tank she asked me
> what kind of tank I wanted and rattled off about 8 different types of tank.
> I decided on a Community Tank although she did mention a different tank for
> color with only one type of fish (That came in 3 or 4 different colors). I
> did get two fish, two Red Mollies, they are both males. My question here is,
> what type of fish should I add to this "Community" tank that are colorful,
> easy to take care of (She pointed out some are very hard to keep alive) and
> not agressive. This is only a 20 gallon tank.
>
> c. I put the Mollies in the tank per instructions. Wondering if thier
> actions are normal. When they went into the tank, they went straight to the
> bottom and sat there for about a minute. They then started darting all over
> the place. Now they keep going back and forth from top to bottom (One seems
> to be feeding). Is this normal behavior? They havent keeled over and floated
> to the top yet so I guess thats a good sign.
>
> d. The aquaclear pump is pumping hard, but even though the water in the tank
> is only an inch from the top, the water flow from the pump forces water down
> to almost the bottom of the tank. When the fish swim into it they are
> immediatly thrown around and all the way to the top of the tank. Seems to me
> that this is almost like losing a 1/4 of the tank because of water movement.
> Is this normal? Do the fish learn to avoid this or is there some adjustment
> in order?
>
> Thanks
> J
>
>
sorry to hear about your loss, I have also just begun this lovely and
"ADDICTIVE" hobby. Luckily I have not lost any yet. but I do have
problems. I fist overstocked my first tank, well not after i removed my
banded rainbow from that 10 gal with 6 other fish small guys but he went
crazy after I got my clown loaches to kill eat my snail population about
400 last count, anyway I got another 10 gal to separate him chasing
everything that moved in front of him. Thats not the only problem I did
this move during an ICH out brake those crazy loaches messing things up.
I now am researching and planing to build myself 2 new tanks on is what
some people would call crazy a computer with a fish tank inside. and
another 46LX20Wx24-30"H plywood/acrylic tank, if the two I have turn out
ok(newbie->Novice).
A nice small schooling fish to add to your community tank is the
glowlight tetra I have three cool little fish. everybody in my community
tank seem to like the although the 1 diano can be a bully he ether
schools with them or chases them, odd. and my 2 clown loaches seem to
keep an eye on them for danger. although I am worried about them. They
seem to hide almost all the time, haven't munched on a snail(I read it
was their favor et food, snails are trumpet snails). Although I read
they can be really shy, and can take a while to start to feel
cofertable. They also have ICH.
Long story shortened, New tank, 0 Dead, 2 Sick Tanks, 3 weeks into this
fish keeping(although my dad at one point was an avid fish keeper 14
tanks but that was a long time ago and I was just a kid). Good Luck.
Hopefully no more fish will pass over.

[NetMax]

midposted below..

"Jeff" > wrote in message
...
> Some may recall I posted last week, bought a 20 gallon tank and dont know
> jack (Except what Ive learned so far and mostly from here). Have some more
> questions.

Last week is a blur, so I'll just work off of this post ;~).

> I got the Ph and acidity levels in the tank to normal for tropical fish.
> Purchased all three filters for the Aquaclear pump. Treated the water and
> had let it set for 5 days making sure the ph and such were normal.
> According
> to my test strips, everything was/is good to go. But I have a few more
> questions (ANd will probably have more in the future). TIA to anyone who
> answers, here they are.

The pH is a measure of acidity, the lower the number under 7.0 (neutral),
the more acidic it is (and alkaline above 7.0). Every 1.0 change is a
factor of ten (ie: a pH of 8.2 is ten times more alkaline than 7.2).
Usually, whatever pH you get from your tap will be alright, so I wouldn't
worry too much about it for now, and just leave it be. Knowing the value
and whether the water is hard or soft is good to know as it can influence
which fish to buy. Makes it easier for you and them, in case your water
characteristics tend towards an extreme.

> a. EVen though the test strips showed everything good to go for 5 days,
> the
> water is still cloudy. I read somewhere that the Bio-Max filter would
> clear
> this up and it could take up to 6 weeks. So, is this true? Could I have a
> cloudy tank for 6 weeks or more? Is it really a bio problem causing the
> cloudiness, normally?

Ignore cloudy water (white or gray is a bacterial bloom) until the tank is
cycled. It does not bother the fish. Anything you add (fluculants,
clarifiers etc) will only mess up your chemistry, which is just starting to
stabilize (cycling). If it's really important to have clean water....
tough ;~). Water changes might help, but it will probably return.
Microfilter media might help, but it will probably return. Get the idea?
Let it balance itself, don't overfeed, do your gravel vacuuming and have
patience.

> b. I went to Petsmart and talked to the girl at the fish section. When I
> told her I wanted a couple of fish to basically test my tank she asked me
> what kind of tank I wanted and rattled off about 8 different types of
> tank.
> I decided on a Community Tank although she did mention a different tank
> for
> color with only one type of fish (That came in 3 or 4 different colors). I
> did get two fish, two Red Mollies, they are both males. My question here
> is,
> what type of fish should I add to this "Community" tank that are colorful,
> easy to take care of (She pointed out some are very hard to keep alive)
> and
> not agressive. This is only a 20 gallon tank.

I don't know what your cycling strategy is (with fish or fishless), but
assuming you haven't cycled and are adding fish, then Mollies would be a
good choice if you have neutral to hard water, neutral to high pH and were
adding a bit of salt. Mollies live along the coastline of North, Central
and South America at the mouths of rivers, so they tend to do less well in a
completely salt-less environment. Depending on breeding, Mollies can be
quite hardy (ie: from local breeders, clubs, neighbors) or very fragile
(high fish losses are not unusual with Asian imports). I have no experience
with Florida farm-bred Mollies.

> c. I put the Mollies in the tank per instructions. Wondering if thier
> actions are normal. When they went into the tank, they went straight to
> the
> bottom and sat there for about a minute. They then started darting all
> over
> the place. Now they keep going back and forth from top to bottom (One
> seems
> to be feeding). Is this normal behavior? They havent keeled over and
> floated
> to the top yet so I guess thats a good sign.

The first couple of days are not really indicative of anything. As long as
they are not doing anything particularly worrisome, such as gasping at the
surface, twirling, bouncing off things etc.

> d. The aquaclear pump is pumping hard, but even though the water in the
> tank
> is only an inch from the top, the water flow from the pump forces water
> down
> to almost the bottom of the tank. When the fish swim into it they are
> immediatly thrown around and all the way to the top of the tank. Seems to
> me
> that this is almost like losing a 1/4 of the tank because of water
> movement.
> Is this normal? Do the fish learn to avoid this or is there some
> adjustment
> in order?

You can raise the water level to minimize the effect. The fish do figure
this out eventually (and may still go through anyways). You can place
objects underneath to restrict the fish and break up the turbulence (rocks,
plants, ornaments etc). There are DIY ways to direct the water more
forwards, or to diffuse it, but I don't think that this is applicable for
you.

> Thanks
> J

Check out http://faq.thekrib.com/begin-cycling.html for some info on
cycling, and lots of other good info. Your focus will initially be on
keeping the ammonia level low, and then the nitrite level (which is helped
by salt, so Mollies will go along with that!).
--
www.NetMax.tk

[Elaine T]

Jeff wrote:

<snip>

> One of the Mollies just died, lasted about 6 hours, looked fine then just
> keeled over and floated around.

You said you adjusted the pH and acidity. What chemicals have you put
in your water, and how much? It is generally a bad idea to try and
adjust pH unless it is below 6.5 or above 8.0, or you have a VERY
specific reason for doing so.

Is it possible there are chloramines rather than chlorine in your tap
water? You have to use special dechlorinators to handle chloramines and
they can kill fish in a few hours like you saw.

Finally, I've heard some truly awful advice dispensed at PetSmart. You
might want to find a store that specializes in tropical fish instead.

--
Elaine T __
http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><
rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com