Ammonia Poisoning + Cloudy Water

[-Anna-]

Hi guys,

So about 6 weeks ago I went and got a 5 gallon tank for 2 females guppies. I've made sure to change at least 25% of the water weekly, not over feed them, and been adding a little Stress Zyme once a week, and other little things like changing the filter when required and watching the levels of nitrate, nitrite, the hardness, total chlorine, alkinity, and pH. So I thought I was doing pretty well at taking care of my guppies and that they were healthy. (I should also say 3 weeks ago one of my guppies gave birth and I have 5 little fry in the tank as well. I know that many should not be in a 5 gallon tank at once (cause 1 fish for each gallon), but I'm waiting til the fry get a bit bigger til I find them someplace else.)

But yesterday morning, I noticed one of my females had red around her gills and right before her tail. So I ran down to PetCo (and I know people say don't take their advice but there is this one man who works in the fish section who actually knows what he is talking about) and asked the guy what was going on. He said it was ammonia poisoning and told me I didn't need to resort to chemicals just yet, and that that should be a last resort, and he told me I need to change my water daily until the ammonia goes down quite a lot. And he also told me I needed some real gravel (I had been using some rocks because the guppies were able to hide in them), so I bought some blue gravel.

As soon as I got home, I changed about 75% of the water, added the blue gravel and the tank looked great. But when I woke up this morning, the tank water seemed cloudy. I did some research and it said I may not have washed the gravel off good enough, but I thought I did wash them enough. Is this cloudy water going to affect my fish and cause them to become more sick? And what can I do to get rid of the cloudy water? Also, how long should I continue changing the water for until the ammonia levels go down? So sorry I wrote so much, I just didn't want to leave any details out.

Thank you so much!

 

[BlueDragon]

The cloudy water will probably be from the gravel. I wouldn't worry about that too much, it seems no matter how well you clean gravel it still makes your water cloudy for a few days.

Although the redened gills could be ammonia poisoning the darkened spot in front of her tail would sugest she's also preggers and will soon be giving birth. Bearing in mind that female Guppies can store sperm and use it get preggers up to three times after the initial pregnancy then if your planning on savingthe fry then your going to need a ten gallon tank to put them in on their own so till they're a few months old. Otherwise you can just keep them in the main tank and they'll probably get eaten. With only the odd surviver making it to adulthood.

You'll need to get a liquid test kit to test your water with. API seems to be the most popular and I'm waiting for my first to be ordered. You can then test the ammonia levels as well as the other important ones like Nitrate, Nitrite and PH. Only then will you know if it is your ammonia that's the problem and you'll know when it's down to zero again.
You'll need to daily huge water changes till it does go down. Change most of the water and about six hours later test it with your kit. If the ammonia is still high then you'll need to do another huge water change then and there. And so on till it's fixed.

Did yo cycle your tank before you added your Guppies? If not then no doubt this is your problem. Have a read up on cycling on here and see if you went through with what it says. You should have done a full Fish-less cycle.

If you didn't cycle your tank then you need to do tat now. Only you'll now need to do a Fish-in cycle. So have a read up on that as well.

Don't keep changing your filter cartridge. I very nearly made this mistake just a short while ago till I was swiftly told otherwise! It will totaly knack up your bacteria colony and in effect will also cancel out your cycle. Basicaly meaning that every time you change your filter cartridge your starting a cycle all over again. And that's not good. And if you did cycle your tank before adding Fish then this would be my other guessed reason for your poorly Guppy girl.

Firstly, get a test kit and test your water. Once you've done that post the results on here and then peoples will be able to help you much easier. Also it would be good if you could post a clear photo of your poorly girl so we can see what the problem is.

Oh, and congrats on your fry : )

 

[-Anna-]

Good to know on the cloudiness of the water. I was really worried to be honest with you! I'm new to the whole taking care of fish and such.

As for the fish, the one that you suggested could be pregnant is indeed. She has the gravid spot and is getting bigger. As for getting another tank, I don't have much money to spend on getting another tank (I'm only 15 years old and am unemployed, so I'm currently relying on my allowance to get the items necessary) and will just see if any survive. I got lucky with the last batch because 5 of them survived while staying in the same tank with the two adult guppies.

The liquid test kit... I will get as soon as I can, and will search for the API kit as you mentioned. I will continue doing the daily water changes and test the water 6 hours later, as you have mentioned.

Sadly, I did not cycle the tank before I brought the guppies home. It was a last minute decision to purchase them and the tank and I did a huge error by not researching about the cycling first before adding the fish. But I will definitely research up on how to cycle the tank with the fish in the tank.

I have only changed the filter once since I have purchased it, I heard that with the tank I have to only change either the Filter pad or Foam pad (never both) or it will mess up the bacteria colony or something like that. Sorry if that didn't make much sense.

As soon as I am capible of getting the kit I will, and shall post my results here. When I get a chance I will get a pic of her.

I cannot thank you enough for all the help you've given me! You have been so helpful and I really do appreciate the help. And thank you

 

[Mauigirl]

Good to know on the cloudiness of the water. I was really worried to be honest with you! I'm new to the whole taking care of fish and such.

As for the fish, the one that you suggested could be pregnant is indeed. She has the gravid spot and is getting bigger. As for getting another tank, I don't have much money to spend on getting another tank (I'm only 15 years old and am unemployed, so I'm currently relying on my allowance to get the items necessary) and will just see if any survive. I got lucky with the last batch because 5 of them survived while staying in the same tank with the two adult guppies.

The liquid test kit... I will get as soon as I can, and will search for the API kit as you mentioned. I will continue doing the daily water changes and test the water 6 hours later, as you have mentioned.

Sadly, I did not cycle the tank before I brought the guppies home. It was a last minute decision to purchase them and the tank and I did a huge error by not researching about the cycling first before adding the fish. But I will definitely research up on how to cycle the tank with the fish in the tank.

I have only changed the filter once since I have purchased it, I heard that with the tank I have to only change either the Filter pad or Foam pad (never both) or it will mess up the bacteria colony or something like that. Sorry if that didn't make much sense.

As soon as I am capible of getting the kit I will, and shall post my results here. When I get a chance I will get a pic of her.

I cannot thank you enough for all the help you've given me! You have been so helpful and I really do appreciate the help. And thank you

Firstly If you didn't cycle it could possibly be a bacterial bloom due to High Ammonia, Do a 50% change straight off just to be safe.
If it isn't clear tomorrow than assume it wasn't the gravel. And keep up the changes, you arnt cycled and need these anyway.
please do get that test kit asap and keep up regular large water changes until you can verify lvls. This is not going to hurt but rather help the health of the fish.
And DO read up, It will help you understand the cycle and how you will become a good fish keeper.

Filter media should not be replaced until it is falling apart, years, literally,the manufacturer just wants to make a few $$ off you, just squeeze it out in a bucket of tank water from a regular weekly change when filter starts to slow down.

You will get good results with research and dedication, the first few weeks are heck with a fish in, but not intolerable.

 

[-Anna-]

I will head out today as soon as I can to get a kit. I will also do a large water change daily until the levels go down. Also that's good to know about the filter! Good to know I don't have the spend more money changing it. Thanks for that I have also been trying to research as often as I can about as much as I can because I hope to become a great fish owner with a good bit of knowledge.

Quick question about the daily water changing though. Should I change about 50% of more like 75% of the water until the levels are down. I don't want to change too little of the water.

Thanks so much for you're advice!

 

[Mauigirl]

I will head out today as soon as I can to get a kit. I will also do a large water change daily until the levels go down. Also that's good to know about the filter! Good to know I don't have the spend more money changing it. Thanks for that I have also been trying to research as often as I can about as much as I can because I hope to become a great fish owner with a good bit of knowledge.

Quick question about the daily water changing though. Should I change about 50% of more like 75% of the water until the levels are down. I don't want to change too little of the water.

Thanks so much for you're advice!

This actually depends on the tested lvls.. you are aiming for below .25 ammonia / Nitrite while cycling and 0's when cycled. Nitrate is a non issue while doing large water changes and to be concidered in post cycle weekly's.

You could easily do a 80% with no ill effect till you get your test kit. just make sure on a large change like that to match tank temperature withing a few degrees so as not to shock the fish and make sure to add declor b4 going into the tank..

Edit: to achieve your below .25 take a reading as soon as you get your kit and then, if reading is 1ppm you will need a 75% to reach .25, you want below so do a 80%. etc,
you can alternately do a few smaller back to back to achieve the same result, I.E. a 25%, followed by another 25, and yet another 25% in rapid succession (1hr apart).

 

[fluttermoth]

Anna; if money is short you don't need a whole master test kit; just tests for ammonia and nitrite will do you for the foreseeable future; those are the two most toxic substances.

It's impossible to say how much water you should be changing without knowing how high the ammonia is. You aim should be to keep ammonia (and nitrite) at a level less than 0.25ppm. So if your ammonia level came out at 1ppm, you'd want to change at least 75% of the water, and preferably more (as the ammonia will continue to rise beforte your next water change).

The biggest tip I'd give you right now is; don't be afraid of doing large water changes. As long as the new water is warmed and dechlorinated, it won't stress, or hurt your fish to drain their tank right down (leaving just enough water for your fish to swim upright) before refilling.

Don't forget to switch your filter and heater off if you're doing big changes like that though!

 

[Mauigirl]

Anna; if money is short you don't need a whole master test kit; just tests for ammonia and nitrite will do you for the foreseeable future; those are the two most toxic substances.

It's impossible to say how much water you should be changing without knowing how high the ammonia is. You aim should be to keep ammonia (and nitrite) at a level less than 0.25ppm. So if your ammonia level came out at 1ppm, you'd want to change at least 75% of the water, and preferably more (as the ammonia will continue to rise beforte your next water change).

The biggest tip I'd give you right now is; don't be afraid of doing large water changes. As long as the new water is warmed and dechlorinated, it won't stress, or hurt your fish to drain their tank right down (leaving just enough water for your fish to swim upright) before refilling.

Don't forget to switch your filter and heater off if you're doing big changes like that though!

Awesome advice from flutter moth!!!

Just realize once you are done with the few weeks of daily changes you will have a tank that is healthy and stable.

 

[-Anna-]

Hey guys thanks so much for all the replies and help! I just got home and bought a kit that will test the ammonia levels and such of the tank and when I test the levels I will post them here. Sadly the pregnant fish isn't doing well though. This morning she was going crazy and seemed paralized. She tried to swim but sank right away and now she is resting on the bottom of the tank breathing heavily. Should I got ahead and put her out of her misery? I feel so bad for her. She's literally flopping around like she's being weighed down by an invisible force.

 

[-Anna-]

I did the test and the ammonia is at 0. But should I still do a water change of about 50% today?

 

[Mauigirl]

Did you test Nitrite as well?
From the symptoms you describe I would expect that reading to be high.

 

[-Anna-]

I just tested the nitrite and it came out as 0.3mg/l which is the second from the lowest on my little chart. The lowest is <0.3 mg/l.

 

[Mauigirl]

I just tested the nitrite and it came out as 0.3mg/l which is the second from the lowest on my little chart. The lowest is <0.3 mg/l.

Ok, so it looks from those readings the cycle has started. Do a 50% to get those nitrites below.25.you will need to monitor daily and do water changes as needed until you get 0 s on both ammonia and nitrites. For a few days. You will then be cycled and can relax into weekly partial changes

 

[-Anna-]

Alright, so just to be clear I should be doing 50% daily water changes until the nitrate levels are at 0? And let me just thank you so much for all you're help! Its definately saved me from spending tons of money (and time) on items that wouldn't be necessary to buy when trying to fix the water levels in the tank. Sorry for all the questions but I was looking at one of my female guppies and she seems to have a really dark almost black spot on her tail, and right underneath the dark spot is green? Any clue what this is? Again, sorry for more questions

Thank you!

 

[Mauigirl]

Nitrite at 0. Nitrate will never be 0.
The cycle goes ammonia-> nitrite-> nitrate.
The the first 2 being toxic at any level and the last being a bit less worrisome and kept in check by weekly water changes

Not sure on the guppy spots,.maybe someone more informed on that subject can chime in and explain.