Help Please

[vicstar078]

Hello,

I got my tank about 2 months ago. My fish have been fine in there. I decided to add a new angel fish and it went to the top then went on its side and died a day later. I thought it was the stress of moving therefore, I brought another. The same thing happened.

I knew this wasn't right so today went and got my water checked. The ammonia is very high.

I have brought a testing kit and some API stress coat and stress zyme. I am not feeding them tonight.

I think I may have been overfeeding them (twice a day). I am going to feed them once 5 times a week from now on.

All fish are fine apart from today one of my clown loaches doesn't look very well .

I have been going water changes every 2 weeks.

I have done one tonight and the ammonia is still very high. Its actually higher than the chart which has a max of 8.0 ppm

Please can any one help as I do not want any of my fish to die??

How often should I change the water to get the ammonia down!?

Thank you

Vicky

 

[Jenste]

do a MASSIVE water change, then do another one.
keep doing water changes until you get the ammonia way down - - that is the first step -

you should always be doing a weekly water change.

did you ever cycle the tank? if you bought the tank, then added the fish soon after, then you have been doing a "fish in" cycle...
the beneficial bacteria has just begun to build up in your tank at this point...

you want to keep doing daily water changes until you start seeing stability in your tank readings

 

[vicstar078]

Thank you for your help. Yes I have been doing a fish in cycle.

So, I have done a water change already tonight (approx 30%). I will do another one the same tomorrow, will that be ok?

 

[Jenste]

no, when I say MASSIVE - - I mean 75% or more water change, then another of about 50%...
ammonia in that high amount is POISON to your fish...
doing tiny water changes is like trying to use band-aids to attach a severed limb...not worth the effort!

it will take time, but doing the huge water changes are necessary for your fish's health

 

[mattlee]

what size tank do you have?

do a water change so the fish just have enough water to swim in, say about 95% then leave an hour and retest. if you still have ammonia present then keep going until its at 0. anything above 0 is poisonous to the fish and will be damaging them. the large water changes may stress the fish a little but it will be worth it.

have you tested for nitrite?
if so what are the results?

you really need to be replacing 30% of water a week not every 2 weeks once the filter is cycled.

did you cycle the tank?
if so how?

it does sound like your in a fish in cycle, if so check the water every day and do water changes that are required. if it reads 0.25 then a 50% change will/should get it back to 0, it basically halfs the amount of ammonia by doing a 50% change.

 

[vicstar078]

Ok thanks.

Its 60 litres I think, I am getting a bigger one when I know how to do it.

I havn't tested the nitrate myself yet but the shop said there was some.

I have done a 30%, i'm abit too scared to do 95%

I just tested amonia its down to about 4.0 now it was above 8.

Will it be ok to do another one now, I don't want to kill them


I have made a mistake I think and used some hot water to make it warmer for them. I have some new water in a bucket ready for next change, if I want to do it now will it be safer to boil the kettle to add to the cold water (obviously not making it really hot just lute warm)!?

P.s.. Sorry to seem thick I am new to fish keeping lol.

Thanks

Vicky

 

[Jenste]

keep it with in 5 degrees Fahrenheit and the difference will not really be noticed as it disperse...

as long as you condition the water you add, large water changes are fine.....in your case, necessary

 

[Ashley1991]

this pretty much covers everything that has being said but yeah it may help

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=224306

Ash

 

[vicstar078]

Ok thanks for your help. Sorry this has probably been asked loads!

I now have some new water ready, I tested that for ammonia and its not in the tap so thats good!



One thing though off the cycle subject..

My friend come round and put an "extra" bit in the filter, since then it does not seem as strong and to be honest its not the best you can buy I wouldnt have though. Would it be ok to remove this extra bit or will that take away my beneficial bacteria??

Thanks

Vicky

 

[Jenste]

what do you mean, an extra bit?
if you mean they took part of their cycled filter media and put in your tank, then LEAVE IT!!! lol....this will help your tank immensely!

and never apologize for asking questions! thats what this forum is about

hope your tank issues get settled! it seems like you are going to make a right proper fish keeper once you master some of the pesky stuff

 

[vicstar078]

Done a 60% and its still on the highest level, seems weird that it can be so high and I took the sample from the top where I had just put the new water.

I have done two water changes tonight, I will have to do another one tomorrow

 

[Ashley1991]

it is weird shouldnt it have dilluted it a bit?

im not a expert at all and you should wait for someone to see if they say the same but carry on doing water changes to dilute it till its 0

Ash

 

[vicstar078]

Hello,

Ok checked the water this morning and it has got slightly better but not a big difference.

The clown loach that was ill, look abit better now but very skinny. The other clown loach is fine. The fish seem alot better today swimming around.

I didn't feed them last night when I usually do and I am not feeding them this morning like usual.

Is this the right thing to do as I do not want the ammonia getting any worse?

I will do another water change after work.

 

[gbailey141]

Hi Vicky,

Are you using a proper testing kit or just test strips?

If you are using test strips they can be very inaccurate and most members here use an API test kit or a seachem kit for more accurate results.

Good luck with your tank.

Gav

 

[vicstar078]

Hi Vicky,

Are you using a proper testing kit or just test strips?

If you are using test strips they can be very inaccurate and most members here use an API test kit or a seachem kit for more accurate results.

Good luck with your tank.

Gav

Hello,

Thanks, yes I am using the API one (makes me feel like a scientist) lol!

Vicky