Fish as Pet in Classroom

Updated on September 09, 2014
S.F. asks from West Palm Beach, FL
8 answers

Talk to me about fresh water fish tanks. I have one in my class and used tap watwr to fill it. Well 4/5 fish are dead and I think last one is gonna die too. I bought the chemical stuff for the water and had it in there for nearly a week before the fish came. Non aggressive fish. Would bottled water be better? I think they hate me. Lol

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So What Happened?

It's a 10 gallon tank. I had the water conditioner and fish were in tank for two weeks. I did ask questions. And while oh was on higher side I was told the fish would be fine and that I could keep adjusting oh with fish in tank. Tank was not near any windows. Has a new filter. Fish were from pet supermarket.

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M.B.

answers from Austin on

What happened is what is commonly called "new tank syndrome".

Basically, when the fish poo, it builds up in the water until it poisons them. (The fish waste is eventually converted to ammonia.)

It is difficult to get a small tank set up to cycle, especially if you don't know that much about fish and water chemistry.

The drops you put into the water at first remove the chlorine from the water, making it safe for them.

If you want to try having fish in a classroom tank again, you need to remove about 10% of the water every week and replace it with freshly dechlorinated water. That will help keep the fish healthier.

Also, it depends on what kind of fish you have...... even though you see a BUNCH of fish in a smallish tank at the pet store, you really can't have very many fish in a tank...... and those tiny little goldfish you see? They can grow up to 20" in good conditions. (The goldfish in my water garden in my back yard are about 10" long..... and there are only about 6 in an 800 gallon pond.)

Anyway, here is an article that talks about setting up a new tank properly..... and explains the nitrogen cycle that is happening in a fish tank.

http://www.wikihow.com/Avoid-%27New-Tank%27-Syndrome

3 moms found this helpful

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L.H.

answers from Abilene on

Just wanted you to know when I walk by the fish in the pet store they all swim to the back of the tank until I pass by. I am positive I hold the record for the most fish funerals in a two week time frame. I gave up and they're still scared.

Hope you get it figured out! You sound like a great teacher. Bless you as you touch the lives of others in your care.

;)
L.

7 moms found this helpful

V.S.

answers from Reading on

I'd hate you too if you killed all my friends! Think temperature. Are they on a windowsill where they might be getting direct sun? Are you over feeding them?

3 moms found this helpful
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O.O.

answers from Los Angeles on

But water conditioner, condition water ahead of time in jugs.
If you're putting several fish into a small tank, you ARE sending them to their death! Lol even goldfish. Trust me on that O.. A 2 gal bowl or tank will only support O. fish.

2 moms found this helpful

S.T.

answers from Washington DC on

it can be really hard to get a new tank established. you're doing the right thing by setting up your tank in advance of getting the fish, but it may well be that your tap water is too full of chemicals. distilled water would be better.
remember that a 'fresh' tank doesn't have any of the water to which the new fish are acclimated, so the first few fish are at the most risk. once you've managed to keep them going for a while you just change the water out a little at a time so the shock risk is far less.
set your tank up again, and after a week or two take the water in to your fish store for testing. if they okay it, buy just a couple of fish to be your coal mine canaries. if they make it, you can add a few more, but of course don't over-stock your tank.
i kept a beautiful aquarium for years in our apartment, and then at our first little house. i thought i had it in the bag. but since we moved here, with our terrific well water, i haven't been able to keep a tank going, not even with purchased distilled water. i finally gave up, i couldn't keep watching them die!
khairete
S.

1 mom found this helpful
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G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

The water out of the tap is pumped full of chemicals and is not good for the fish. I don't know that I would do bottled water but I would look at the many variables that go into that tank such as temperature, quality of water, food, and more.

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M.S.

answers from Seattle on

Where did you get the fish? I assume you got that a pet store or a store that specializes in jet fish, yes? Did they give you any advice on how t care for the fish? If not, before buying any more fish, do some research about cringe for fish before gutting anymore.

It's possible the tap water killed the fish. Who knows what the ph balance or other chemical balance was in that water, but I'm not sure bottled water is any better. It's also possible you need to clean the tank more often too.

Do your research, and ask questions before you buy next time! :)

V.B.

answers from Jacksonville on

Does the tank have an filter with air pump?

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