neoyyf
Fish Fanatic
Sorry i havent read all the replies in detail but I have been in your situation so would like to add my thoughts.
An API mater test kit or similar (liquid drops in a clear test tube) is a must because you need to know how bad the ammonia and nitrite levels are and also when to stop worrying. If Pets At Home dont have it, try buying it online. Or if you can go in daily, they should test your water for free (or any petshop that sells fish) but call to ask first.
A bacterial starter can work but the cheaper bottles often dont work for ammonia. In my experience, they have only worked for removing nitrite for me (or providing bacteria that removes nitrite). The bottles do tell you not to change the water for a few days but without being able to test how much ammonia and nitrite you have, you cant tell if the bottle is working or if you have added enough.
What is the ph of your water? If it is under 7, there is evidence to suggest ammonia cannot exist well in an acidic state and therefore converts to ammonium which is a lot less toxic to fish. You can safely change the ph slightly by adding half a cattapa/indian almond leaf or similar like alder cones. If you cant source that, then dried oak leaves can work. Never use Ph altering chemicals from a bottle. Just be careful you dont add too much as it can change the ph dratically in a short amount of time. It will turn your water slightly brown and will slowly leach more of the brown stuff over time (tannins). Dont try to do this without a ph tester and dont go under 6.
If you cant source these natural products then you must do water changes. Test the water twice a day if you can. Your tank is small, so just do 100% water change if you get any ammonia or nitrite readings.
Now nitrite is quite toxic to fish and ph will not change it so this is where the biological starter will come in handy. You will probably need to use the entire bottle in one go. No point in saving it. Once open, it does not keep. If it doesnt work, then keep doing 100% water changes.
100% changes will stress your fish, but it is the lesser of two evils. Water changes dont always kill fish but ammonia and nitrite definitely do. Replaced water should match closely in tempertature to the water in the tank and of course be dechlorinated.
Make sure there is agitation to the surface of the water by means of the filter outflow or an air bubbler. Whilst the fish is exposed to ammonia and nitrate, its gills will be comprimised (it may be able to breathe air but i dont know if it comes up for air whilst asleep?) and also help the bacteria grow faster
An API mater test kit or similar (liquid drops in a clear test tube) is a must because you need to know how bad the ammonia and nitrite levels are and also when to stop worrying. If Pets At Home dont have it, try buying it online. Or if you can go in daily, they should test your water for free (or any petshop that sells fish) but call to ask first.
A bacterial starter can work but the cheaper bottles often dont work for ammonia. In my experience, they have only worked for removing nitrite for me (or providing bacteria that removes nitrite). The bottles do tell you not to change the water for a few days but without being able to test how much ammonia and nitrite you have, you cant tell if the bottle is working or if you have added enough.
What is the ph of your water? If it is under 7, there is evidence to suggest ammonia cannot exist well in an acidic state and therefore converts to ammonium which is a lot less toxic to fish. You can safely change the ph slightly by adding half a cattapa/indian almond leaf or similar like alder cones. If you cant source that, then dried oak leaves can work. Never use Ph altering chemicals from a bottle. Just be careful you dont add too much as it can change the ph dratically in a short amount of time. It will turn your water slightly brown and will slowly leach more of the brown stuff over time (tannins). Dont try to do this without a ph tester and dont go under 6.
If you cant source these natural products then you must do water changes. Test the water twice a day if you can. Your tank is small, so just do 100% water change if you get any ammonia or nitrite readings.
Now nitrite is quite toxic to fish and ph will not change it so this is where the biological starter will come in handy. You will probably need to use the entire bottle in one go. No point in saving it. Once open, it does not keep. If it doesnt work, then keep doing 100% water changes.
100% changes will stress your fish, but it is the lesser of two evils. Water changes dont always kill fish but ammonia and nitrite definitely do. Replaced water should match closely in tempertature to the water in the tank and of course be dechlorinated.
Make sure there is agitation to the surface of the water by means of the filter outflow or an air bubbler. Whilst the fish is exposed to ammonia and nitrate, its gills will be comprimised (it may be able to breathe air but i dont know if it comes up for air whilst asleep?) and also help the bacteria grow faster
