Ammonia Off The Charts/help

[HNY1111]

When it rains it pours. (See my post in emergencies)
So, I had an ammonia spike in my main tank last night as well. I immediately did a 50% water change and used Ammolock. My ammonia was 8.0+ last night but ph, nitrates, nitrites, etc were normal. Ph was 7.6 others 0. NOW, ammonia is 8.0+ , Nitrates are 5, Nitrites are .50 and Ph is 7.2
So my question is, did the Ammolock cause the spikes in the Nitrates/Trites, since what it does is break down the ammonia to a non-toxic form so it can be consumed? AND what should I do? Another water change today? Argh!!!

 

[attibones]

Do as close of a 100% water change as you can. 8.0 + is far above lethal level. Doing only fifty percent would get you closer to 4.0, but if your ammonia is actually higher than 8.0, the levels could be higher. 
 
Do as many water changes as it takes to get the ammonia down to .25 or less. 
 
You'll need to figure out why you're going through a cycle. Did you fishless cycle your aquarium? How many fish have you got? What size tank?
 
The ammolock will convert the ammonia into ammonium which will still show up on the ammonia reading. It doesn't not go into nitrite or nitrate without bacteria present.

 

[HNY1111]

I did a 6 week fish less cycle before staring this tank. It has been going great for 2 months now. I have a 29 gallon tank with 1 blue dwarf gourami, 4 albino Cory catfish, 2 gold panda mollies, 1 silver molly, 1 red velvet male swordtail and 1 half moon make betta, 3 hi fins and 2 male fancy guppies. Also some snails which stowed away on some driftwood I bought.
I treated my tank with Bactersheild due to my swordtail dealing with fungus. He is now quarantined in another tank.

 

[attibones]

I wonder if the medicine depleted your bacterial colony. Start doing daily water changes. Treat it as if you're doing a fish-in cycle. Sounds like what is happening to you. Heart breaking, really, after all that work.
 
(Also, I'm sure you've heard that guppies and bettas don't typically work well together. Just keep an eye out.)

 

[Fishmanic]

the Bacteriashield may have killed off the good bacteria in your filter.  So unfortunately you are now going to have to do a fish-in cycle and do large water changes whenever necessary to keep ammonia below .25 ppm and to keep nitrites low too.

 

[HNY1111]

Yikes. That totally sucks.
Stupid question, but what does a fish-in cycle involve?
Also, I had the guppies first and the betta was one of those unexpected purchases. I have never seen one like him and felt sorry for him. He is doing ok so far. I have been watching him like a hawk.

 

[coolie]

Just curious, does it not say anything on the Bactersheild about the filter bacteria and the effect on it?

 

[attibones]

A fish-in cycle involves careful watch of the water parameters. Every time you get a reading of more than .25 of ammonia or nitrite, you do a water change. It'll take weeks, but you'll have to do it that way until all the parameters read 0, 0, 0-40. 

 

[HNY1111]

Ah. Ok. I thought as much. Just did an 80% water change. Fingers crossed.
Thanks for all the advice!

 

[b3cca]

Don't stress I did a fish in cycle no problems at all. Yes it's a lot of monitoring testing and a lot of large partial water changes but i actually learnt a lot doing it that way and having to constantly research and read up on what was happening.
Large partial water changes won't harm a thing so don't be afraid to do as many as soon as you see any NH3 or NO2 on your tests
Just google and search on here for fish in cycle and get reading

 
Your wording "main tank" implies that you have others  ? if this is the case then simply take some cycled media from your other tanks to put into this one which will help.
 
If you are using a NH3 and NH4+ combined test kit then your actual free ammonia is no where near 8 ppm.
Using that ammo lock can give high false readings, as already said the 8 ppm will be combined NH3 and NH4+ and not just free ammonia.
That being said you still need large PWCs as soon as your test kit shows any ammount
 
You can use this  calculator to work it out if it interests you http/www.hamzasreef.com/Contents/Calculators/FreeAmmonia.php

 

[PrincessKiara]

I did a fish-in cycle back when I was a n00b and didn't know any better. I was keeping two Neon Tetras and a pregnant Guppy in a 2.78L wall hanging bubble (bad me) and had just bought a new 28g that very day. One of my Neons had stopped eating and was suddenly found floating on his side. I knew a bit about cycling, but not much and in desperation I took the floating fish and put him in the 28g. Immediately his color returned and he started swimming around. He looked so stunning...just a little blur of blue and red in a huge sea of white (my Greek ruins) and green (a couple semi-aquatic plants). And I did only one 50% w/c a week, did not check parameters...He lived for a year after that. Guess I was just lucky! Kids, don't try this at home
But since you already have the ammonia problem, I'd do a LOT of w/c's. And, by the way, I honestly believe what pulled my little Flaquito through was a bunch of hornwort I added around that time. It grew like crazy. Algae slowed its growth and the hornwort ended up filling the whole tank...not the neatest look but it sure did the trick!
Best of luck! Hugs and kisses to your little swordtail

I hope he comes through OK!

 

[star4]

Another option is if you have any one local, or even your LFS that would give/sell you some mature media.