Fish as Pet in Classroom

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

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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! :)

Does the tank have an filter with air pump?