5 gallon problem

Question
QUESTION: hi there,

i just bought a fish tank 5 gallon, for my daughter and i to enjoy. after a couple days of letting the water sit i added a black moor goldfish, and 2 black/orange/white ones (sorry, i cannot recall the names), as well as 2 dwarf frogs that i had in a small fishbowl for months.

anyway, although happy at first, the frogs very very rarely move now, and although the fish seem okay, the water/tank smells very ammonia-like.

should i donate my fish to my friend who owns a much larger (55gallon) tank and pick some better suited?

what would you suggest for my 5 gallon? should i put my frogs back in their bowl?

thanks
zach

ANSWER: I would put the frogs back in the bowl at least for now. The 5 gallon needs to complete a nitrogen cycle. The goldfish will probably be fine until this happens because they really aren't a "particuliar" fish. How often do you clean the 5 gallon? Does it have a filter on it? What are you using for substrate? The smaller the tank, the more often it needs to be cleaned and the harder it is to keep the levels where they should be. You may find it needs to be cleaned every day or every other day? You can get chemicals at any pet supply store to lower the ammonia levels. Do you test the water? It's really only necessary to go to these extremes if you want to be able to put the frogs back in the 5 gallon. If not give it a good cleaning every couple days and the goldfish should be fine :)

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi again,

after asking my question i did some reading of previous questions and moved the frogs back into thier other home, they've perked right up and seem to be back to normal now.
I also  did a 50% water change in the 5gallon.

i'm going to the pet store today to get ammonia testing and lowering equipment. As the fish seem slightly 'distressed' (fins close to body, somewhat erratic swimming). although immediatly after the water change they seemed very rejuvinated.

i do have a powered filter on that came with the aquarium. I have yet to clean the tank, but i've only had it for about 3 days now. do you think its necassary? there doesn't seem to be any excess food or waste on the gravel on the floor.

thanks again,
zach

Answer
Clamped fins is a fairly conclusive symptom of poor water quality. I would change about 25% of the water daily now that you've done the big change. Until the tank has cycled, you're going to have water quality issues so it's really important until that happens to stay on top of the cleaning. Sometimes, it's the water itself that's bad. Get a glass of it and test it for quality. Let the same glass sit and test it again in 24 hours. If it test better after 24 hours you could let the water sit before cleaning to evaporate the unwanted chemicals from it. If it turns out to be the water it will still have to be treated, but you might not have to clean as often, although still regularly :)