I just purchased a new 36 gallon freshwater tank last week.
I set it up step by step- cleaned the gravel & decorations (only with water), added water treatment, installed filter and heater and let it run for 24 hours.
I took a sample of the water to the store for test, they told me everything is fine and purchased 8 small fish. After 2 hours they all died.
I took them back to the store with a sample of the water and again they told me that everything is fine but suggested to add salt for fresh water tank and bacteria treatment.
this time I only purchased 2 bala shark.
I add the salt and bacteria treatment and waited 2 hours and added the shark , after 5 hours they died.
Last night I emptied the tank washed everything change the filter and added water treatment-bacteria treatment & salt.

can anyone give me any suggestions?

Hi!

Welcome to the hobby. First of all, you need to learn about the nitrogen cycle. Your tank is not cycled, and although i dont think that would attribute to the fish dying so quickly, it would still kill them eventually. Secondly, buy yourself an API master test kit. Don't trust the lfs to test your water, do it yourself. It's a worth while investment. you should also test the amount of ammonia and nitrate that exists in the tap water. What are you using to condition the water for the fish? I can personally reccomend a product called Prime, as will many others here.

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"Being ignorant is not so much a Shame, as being unwilling to learn".-- Benjamin Franklin

Good job with initally cleanig all the matrrials b4 puttin them in the tank. Allow the tank to run with for at least 2 weeks to establish good bacteria and fully cycle b4 adding fish. What type of fish did u initially add? Do research in the types of fish u get, which ones ate good for beginners which go good together n what has special needs and such. THen adding fish don't add more than 5 fish at a time n then wait a week or so for the water parameters to steady b4 adding more fish.

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35 gallon tank
4 ryukin goldfish (4 - 5 inches)

5.5 Gallon Planted tank
1 halfmoon betta
2 ADFs

It is a little curious they died so quickly. How did you acclimate the fish? Just dropping them in is stressful on them as well. I normally place the bag in the tank so the water in the bag can slowly change to the temperature of the water in the tank. then I will open the bag and begin adding water from the tank to the bag, a little at a time, to allow the fish to acclimate to the different Ph of the water in the tank. I normally take about an hour to do this.

Cycling the tank is very imortant. Do a little research and start out with "hardy" fish. For a 39 gallon tank I wouldnt start with any more than three. I am currently cycling a tank with platys. They seem to be doing ok so far.

To stabilized the tank (entire nitrogen cycle)will need at least 4 to 6 weeks only then you could put your fishes, I recommended to plant the tank also use fish less cycle at new to the freshwater aquarium forum. It will help you a lot.

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55 Gals. Plants Anubias,Amazon Swords and more. Tetras: 6 Sarpaes.4 Red Eyes,5 Black Skirts,4 Giant Danios,2 Lemons, 2 Emerald Cory,4 German Blue.
10 gals. tank : Plants, Full of Guppies; 20 Gals. Tank planted Full of Guppies: 1 gal tank filled with Guppies

1. Do not visit that fish store AGAIN... If they sold you two bala sharks for that tank they did you and the fish a dis-service. They grow up to a foot!
2. Find a mom & pop fish store for your livestock source or join a local fish club. (I'll bet ya there is one avail).. From the LFS or LFC, you should be able to snag some seeded filter media or substrate.
3. Prime.....definately.
4. 3 or so fish at a time. Definately.
5. API master test kit... Def.
6. 4-6 weeks cycling?.. I'll debate against that all day long. Given the proper seeding, you can have your tank ready day two. (I've done it with Discus)..

Good luck and keep us posted. Bill in Va.

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12 Tanks, 900 gallons. Discus/Angels/Malawi/Lake Victorias. Just added a 135 & 2 - 29's..

Should be noted, simply running a tank empty for a few weeks is NOT cycling it. There needs to be a source of ammonia before the tank will begin cycling. And yes, William is correct if you have seeded material it will speed the process up. I was simply assuming that as this was a new tank, that he did not have access to any.

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"Being ignorant is not so much a Shame, as being unwilling to learn".-- Benjamin Franklin