Help, Media Needed

[martink]

Hi folks, First ever post, have been very poorly advised by LFS, now have brand new tank with lots of fish and surprise, surprise, lots of ammonia. Having read various threads it appears that the only way I will probably save fish is to try to get hold of some used media, have seen list of members but appear to be unable to pm them. Really wish I had found this forum before buying tank, and fish !!! Is there anyone out there around the midlands area (Derbyshire) or even further afield who could assist, any help/advice would be greatly appreciated.
Martin

 

[OldMan47]

Used media will help loads. Have you checked the list of media donors yet? I have a link to that thread in my signature area.
While trying to arrange a media donation, don't hesitate to do very large water changes to get things back under control for the fish. You will need to do those water changes for a week or so even if you get some donated media. We get people here every day whose LFS has misled them on how to get a tank started so there is a link to the fish-in cycle thread in my signature area too.

 

[mattlee]

Hi, and welcome. this has happened to alot of us. i cant help you with media but the only thing to do is to keep doing water changes to reduce the ammonia levels. do you have a test kit? if not but a liquid test kit you can get them from ebay for about £18 for an API kit. test the water if the level reads 1ppm then a 50% water change will reduce the ammonia down to 0.5ppm, then im affraid you have to keep going until you get a 0 reading as any trace of ammonia will harm and maybe kill your fish.
the other option is to return all your fish to the shop and buy some household ammonia and add this to the tank and do a fishless cycle. by adding pure ammonia to the tank it simulates the fish waste but builds up the good bacteria needed in the filter.
there are pinned topics describing the fish in, which you are doing at the minute, and the fishless cycling process. read them both and decide the best one for you.
but for now keep doing the water changes, adding dechlor and using same temp water as the tank until you get a kit, ammonia etc. if you go for fish in cycle then a lot of water changes will be needed so i hope the tank isnt very big.....!
good luck.

Matt