Hello, I am cycling my new tank 5 gallons with one zebra (he will be moved to a bigger tank when cycling is complete) and I am having ammonia issues. I expected this and have been doing my partial water changes daily (I have done 3 so far). There has been no change in my ammonia levels so I decided to test my tap water (I let it stand for 24 hours before using it) and it measured the same level of ammonia as what is in my tank. I then tested the water through my water filter, it is better but not by much. So I called a friend for advise and she said to get reverse osmosis water. I went to the store that carries it and although that water is better it is still reading at "stress" level (0,5) when I tested it. What is my next option? thanks
Additional information - in addition to daily water changes decreased feeding to once per day (only what he will eat in 2 minutes and remove the rest and yes i do time it) also all other readings are fine (nitrite and nitrate are reading 0 ph is around 7) current amonia level according to my test is 3 in the tank, 3 in tap water, 1 in filtered tap water, and 0.5 in reverse osmosis water. I used a water conditioner when I first set up the tank and let it sit empty for 72 hours. I am nervous to use water conditioner now with the fish in the water only because I have killed fish doing that in the past (desipte letting the conditioned water sit for 24 hours), so now I just let the water stand for 24 hours before using it. The fish itself appears fine, he is slightly lethargic in the mid afternoon but this is routine even before the amonia spike. No red around the gills (at least not that I can see), eating fine, does not look bloated. Essentially he looks/acts the same as when I first got him from the pet store.
Update: I have been reading about "Stress Zyme" I am in the US and not sure if this product is available everywhere. However, it states that it is "Bacteria in a botte" and need to be added on the 1st, 7th and 14th days after adding fish to a tank (10 ml per 10 US gallons). Obviously I can not do it on the 1st day after adding fish as the fish has been in the tank for 5 days. However, after discovering that my tap water is starting out with high levels of ammonia I thought this product might be worth trying. Is anyone familliar with it? Do you think it will help bring my ammonia levels back to reasonable?
Additional information - in addition to daily water changes decreased feeding to once per day (only what he will eat in 2 minutes and remove the rest and yes i do time it) also all other readings are fine (nitrite and nitrate are reading 0 ph is around 7) current amonia level according to my test is 3 in the tank, 3 in tap water, 1 in filtered tap water, and 0.5 in reverse osmosis water. I used a water conditioner when I first set up the tank and let it sit empty for 72 hours. I am nervous to use water conditioner now with the fish in the water only because I have killed fish doing that in the past (desipte letting the conditioned water sit for 24 hours), so now I just let the water stand for 24 hours before using it. The fish itself appears fine, he is slightly lethargic in the mid afternoon but this is routine even before the amonia spike. No red around the gills (at least not that I can see), eating fine, does not look bloated. Essentially he looks/acts the same as when I first got him from the pet store.
Update: I have been reading about "Stress Zyme" I am in the US and not sure if this product is available everywhere. However, it states that it is "Bacteria in a botte" and need to be added on the 1st, 7th and 14th days after adding fish to a tank (10 ml per 10 US gallons). Obviously I can not do it on the 1st day after adding fish as the fish has been in the tank for 5 days. However, after discovering that my tap water is starting out with high levels of ammonia I thought this product might be worth trying. Is anyone familliar with it? Do you think it will help bring my ammonia levels back to reasonable?
So it is just back to the waiting for the bacteria to come. Thanks to everyone for your help. And any rookies out there reading this learn from my mistake ... DO NOT TRUST THE TEST STRIPS. Invest in a liquid testing kit. I am in the US and they range from $20 to $50 depending on where you buy them. But trust me it will save you a lot of headaches if you listen to the experts and invest in a liquid testing kit.
