sick tetra????

Question
Hi again,
We'll it died last night. I believe it had neon tetra disease.
My tank is about 10 maybe 15 gallons, it has a heater, filter and it was running 3 days before i put fish in it. I used Aqua plus and Cycle (a capful of each) when i first started the tank and then i added the same amount again right before the fish went in.
I also have another question, If  i want to add more water without taking some out how do i go about doing that? Do i fill a bucket up with water and let it sit 24hrs then put the two chemicals in it and then pour it in?
thanks again
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Followup To
Question -
Hi,

I just got 5 neon tetra today for my new aquarium. They all seem to be doing fine except one is sitting in the corner breathing very fast, not eating and his red tail looks very pale. Is it sick? Can i do anything to help it?
Thanks
Answer -
Kristie,

This is not a lot of information as I don't know if you took all the right precautions before introducing fish.  I also don't know the ammonia levels of your tank and how long it was set up before introducing fish.  I'm going to assume you just set up your tank and added fish.  If so, you may lose all of them, but let's hope not.  You're going to need to buy an aerator and pump if you don't have one so that you can add oxygen to your water, which is what your tetra is needing and the others will do the same very soon.  Secondly make sure you feed no more than they can eat in thirty seconds, once a day.  Finally, add a product known as STRESSCOAT to your water to help them through the stress.  Finally, please buy one of the many great little books out there on setting up new aquariums and keeping tropical fish.  It will save you lots of grief and save lots of fish lives.  Good luck.

Michael J.  

Answer
Kristie,

If your fish had Neon Tetra disease then all of your neons may well have it.  Let's hope that wasn't the case.  Once again, most disease in tropicals is related to environmental conditions. In reality many experts recommend that you let your water sit for a month before adding fish.  Many of us don't use biological acelerators such as CYCLE, as experience is teaching the industry that there are many more fish deaths occurring over the long term.  Anyway, you shouldn't add water to your tank before 30 days after set up now or you will disrupt the cycle again.

When it comes time to add water, you don't need to let it sit if you are using Aqua Plus (I prefer STRESS COAT). It is a good idea to match the temperature, as adding water with a temp that is much different from your tank water will give your fish ICH, a parasite that kills. Remember to do regular partial water changes of about 25% every two weeks. Good luck.

Michael J.