Ok, so I gave in

Oops!

I went to a new lfs (that I hadn't been to before) and they have such a beautiful range of fish in there. I got talking to the guy there, and told him of my current fishless cycling tank of 17L, intended for a male fighter in the next few weeks. I ended up coming out with 2 more plants (had 5 already) and a pair of platties (not sure which type, they are black on the top, and yellow underneath)

They're currently resting on the top of the water and acclimatizing. I also bought a master test kit (API Freshwater Master Test Kit) there, and to be completely honest, I'm quite excited about this minature chemistry set, takes me back to year 7 chemistry :D

Just done some tests.

My pH is 7.6 - which is at the end of the scale, so I did the
high range pH - and that came out as a very faint red, so around 8.1?
Ammonia is 1.5ppm
Nitrite is really hot pink coloured, so? 5.0ppm plus? o.o
Nitrate is a blood red, so, around 80ppm?

Will the platties be ok with this?

Lexxi x

i wouldnt put them in that, do you have a different tank that is cycled you can keep them in? those kind of levels are more than likely going to kill the platties. if not i would take them beck to the store and wait till the tank is done cycling. sorry to give you bad news, but you are showing the nitrite so your cycle is at least going, not sure why you have ammonia though. maybe someone else will have an answer for that!

currently have them in water that was in their bag, and being heated from a very cool aga top. Don't know what to do over night o.o was told by him that it'd be ok, also, its 7pm here on a sunday, so shop is shut *is angry at herself for being impatient >>*

checking what the levels of the water that they were in:
Ammonia: 0.5ppm
Nitrite: 0ppm
Nitrate: 100ppm

hmm

Ok, just done another chem check on my tank, after a full water change. Levels seem acceptable, not great, but ok, 0.25ppm Ammonia, 0.5ish ppm Nitrite and 30ppm Nitrate.

Just waiting for water to get back up to 26C before i try to acclimitise them again current temp of tank is 15C

you are going to have to do daily water changes of at least 50% if you do put in the fish and keep a very close eye on the water stats!! oh and dont worry you are not the only one who has gotten impatient! im amazed that my first fish ever made it, before i knew about cycling i put 3 goldfish in a 20g tank. they all were over a year old when i rehomed them. then i learned about the cycling and im sure my fish are much happier now! we all make mistakes! at least you are trying to fix it!!

Everything seems good, heater is on 27C, had them acclimatise to the water over an hour and slowly released them. Fed them, and the ate straight away and were alert, so glad the hours of being in a bag hasn't affected them too badly. Just done some water stats and everything is within acceptable levels, will continue to do 50% water changes every day. Poor lil tykes, hopefully they'll be ok, seem ok now, but I know that they can have a sudden change. Don't want to name them yet in case I jinx it

*strokes tank lovingly*

The ammonia and nitrIte are going to creep back up. Its gonna need big water changes every day now, and possibly increase the time it takes to cycle the filter. This is because the water needs changing to help the fish, but that takes the ammonia away from the filter which it needs to cycle.

I dont know who said that two Platties would be ok with a male betta in a 17L tank, but its not the best idea:(

Oh! My local lfs, well, its a Water Garden Centre, with a really great tropical section. Guy there said he'd be ok with them, hmmm, will have to delay getting a betta then, until I get my community tank so they can move in there, or something else. Wasn't the best move was it? *tries to be patient*

Just checked on them and they seem to be doing ok, nice and active and eating, will do a 50% water change daily and tests. All tests seem good too, not great, but acceptable, (0.25ppm Ammonia, 0.25ppm Nitrite, 30ppm Nitrate) and water temp is very slowly creeping up to 26C, 25C atm.

Best words of advice: NEVER listen to what the LFS people say

Platies need to be kept at least 2 females to 1 male other wise the female will be constantly hassled. They also need much more room that 17l, that advice he gave was awful

Eep, I feel so bad having done this to those fishies

He said I should just get two as the cycle was new, and eugh *sad*

What would be the best course of action?

TBH I would take them back unfortunately. They won't be able to live in that size tank with a betta. They really need a tank of about 10gals min as they are really active.

It's not your fault, trust me when I say we've all had something similar happen to us

Hmm, what if I just use it as a tank for themselves and get another platy to even out the advances from the male?

As I say, they need about 10gals minimum for tank size, 17litres will make them really unhappy

Aww nuts Not even as a temp home? Looking for larger tank possibilities at the mo, guessing it won't matter to the filter if I move everything, including water, etc into a larger tank?

... *feels really silly* I know it happens to us all, but I was being really good, only went in for a test kit. Stupid sales guy >>

It's easy to get sucked in when they tell us "it's fine". They should all be slapped for the bad advice they give out. I guess as a temp home it'd be ok, but you'd have to keep up with regular water changes (2-3 times per week) because the waste produced will mean your water levels will go nuts during cycling. Not sure if the filter will really be able to cope with 3 platies, they do poop a fair bit!

I'm going to ring the lfs and see about taking them back, very annoyed at them, gonna stick to my usual lfs as they've given me nothing but good advice. Just not fair on the poor little fishies Levels are staying the same, but I don't think they'd change much over night, they seem to be doing ok.

I take it you dont have another fish tank? or any kind of filter media ? is this your first tank? how annoying that the shop guy gave you bad advice ruins the fun a bit! but be patient and you'll have fishie's in no time! gives you time to think about what you really want

Yeh, it's my first tank Originally just for a male betta, but he said they'd be fine with two platties, should've known betta..haha Took them back today and got a credit note, hopefully the 100% water change hasn't affected the cycle too much. Ammonia was pretty low 0-0.25ppm and Nitrite was higher than yesterday, so hopefully!

Plans for a 100L tank, so get some platties then.

sorry this happened to you, lfs's are ussually just in it for the sale. the more fish that die on you the more money they make from you buying new fish. its sad but at least they took them back for you. you will be able to get some fishies before you know it! it is an addicting hobby to have, trust me. i started with a 20g now i have 5 tanks! from a 2g to a 70g. and im always on the lookout for more!