How to Avoid New Tank Syndrome

New tank syndrome is the term used to describe what happens when you first start up a fish tank. The most people do when setting up their tanks is to make sure the water is decholorinated and at the right temperature, then the make the mistake of dumping fishes into the tank.

It seems innocent enough, but leaving the tank like this for a week, or more, is creating problems behind the scenes. The fishes are doing what natural to them; they are pee and pooping. Unfortunately that breaks down into ammonia, and ammonia is poisonous to fish. It inhibits their breathing and slowly they start to suffocate. Before long all your new fishes are dead.

Here are a few simple tips on how to avoid that.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Set up your tank as you normally would. However start off with only one or two hardy fish. The suggestion is to have no more than 2 total inches of fish for every ten gallons of water

2. Feed your fish VERY lightly. Any excess food will cause additional waste your tank cannot handle. It suggested feeding once a day. If there is food on the side of the tank and plants then cut back on the amount you are feeding them.

3. After a few weeks, your tank will become cloudy and milky looking. Leave it alone it’s only temporary.

4. Make sure to change 25 percent of the water three times a week for about six to eight weeks. This helps to reduce the levels of ammonia.

5. If you find that the level of ammonia is too high and your fishes are in danger, try using a good water conditioner when you replace the water and make sure it is the right temperature to avoid shocking your fish.

6. After six to eight weeks, make sure there are no nitrites or ammonia present in the water. Then you can slowly begin to add more fish.

7. Add one or two every week until you reach the desired population. This allows the bacteria to adjust to the new population every time before adding more.

8. Finally with each new fish, monitor the nitrites and ammonia to be sure they don't come up. If they do, make a 25 percent water change and check them again.

Tips & Warnings

• The safe maximum population for any size tank is one inch of adult fish for every gallon of water in the tank.
• A 25 percent water change every week to two weeks is essential for the health of your fish.

[vladtheglad]

on 12/11/2008 Limit the number of sea shells in your fresh water aquarium because they release salt which becomes very harmful in other than small quantities.

[TeacherKelly]

on 11/17/2008 Thanks for the heads up - I recently set up a new aquarium and I was not aware of this potential problem.

By the way, do you know if it is safe to put sea shells in your fresh water aquarium if they have been thoroughly cleaned! -Kelly