Pink Oranda
Sep 16 2003, 05:58 AM
I have a 5 gallon tank that I am starting off with... Eventually I want set up a nice 60 gallon tank that someone let me have... But I figured first I must master the small tank. Anyways, I currently had 2 small Orandas in the tank, they both contracted ich. I tried to treat it, but They eventually died. (very heart breaking!!!) This was this morning. My local fish guy, told me they got the ich because I filled the tank, added water conditioner, and then added the fish. (I never let it cycle I did not know this!!! ) Now the walls inside my tank are covered with the white dots. Does this mean I have to empty everything out of the tank now? or can i just let it cycle untill the ammonia and nitrates go down? Will some one please help!
Fishyfan
Sep 16 2003, 07:10 AM
It's such a shame that your fish died because ich is suaully very easy to cure.
I suspect it was caused by overstocking and poor water quality, plus the cycling didn't help.
It is generally recommended that each goldfish have at least 10 gallons of water, so your 5 gallon tank isn't even big enough for 1 fish let alone 2! Because of this your water quality would have quickly gone haywire causing severe stress to the fish which brought on the ich outbreak.
If you want to start fish keeping again you will need to buy yourself an appropriately sized tank, a very efficient filter system, a gravel vacuum and test kits for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. Set the tnka up and let it settle for a few days then add just 1 fish. Then your cycle will begin. You will need ot test your water paramters every day and when the ammonia and nirites start to spike you will need to perform daily water changes of 30% to dilute the toxicity and stop it poisoning your fish. The whole process can take naything up to 2 months and the tank is only cycled when your ammonia and nitrite levels are at 0 and your nitrates are above 0 (but prefereably below 20). Once it's cycled you cna then add another fish if the tank is big enough but you will need to test your water agaim daily until the bio-bugs adjust to the new waste load.
Once you tank is established a 30% water change weekly with a gravel vac will be sufficient to keep your water quality good as long as your tank isn't overstocked.