I Have An Ammonia Emergency

[annamae07]

I've been waiting and fishless cycling my tank for several months waiting for this summer to help him get settled. I tested my water just a few days before getting him and the ammonia was virtually nonexistent and just in 24 hours the ammonia level is between stress and harmful. I did a full water change minus the amount that stayed in the gravel and kept the water that was in the filter just so some of the original bacteria would be there. I just tested the new water and its saying the same thing. I use the strips which I have read can be unreliable so I went out and got the liquid tests. Testing the tank with that I found it still to be high, after hearing a suggestion of testing my tap water that I was using I found out that my tap has high levels of ammonia, so I went and got Seachem primer and put it in my fish tank and in my 5 gallon of treated water that will be used to help change his water. Well its been 24 hours and its still extremely high.

What I originally had in his tank the first time around was 25 mL of Aqueon betta bowl plus, 3-4 drops of tetra algae control, and about one tablespoon of salt (now knowing it doesnt need that much salt.

This new batch of water has only 15 mL of the conditioner since I let my water set for 24 hours plus, 3-4 drops of algae, and 10 mL of Atison's betta spa. (and now seachem prime)

I dont know what to do it already apears as though he is getting ammonia burns I really dont know what to do. I've had really bad string of lucky lately, but I really want him to be alright.

 

[This Old Spouse]

How big is the tank?

What do you mean your tap water has high levels of ammonia??? If that's true, call the health department!!

Letting your water sit for 24 hrs. will only dissipate the chlorine, not the ammonia.

Why are you using algae control?

What I'd normallysuggest is to keep doing large water changes every day until you get an ammonia reading of 0 (nitrite too). Leave enough water in the tank so that he can swim upright. Then put the Prime in the 5 gallon bucket, fill with warm water and put that in the tank. I go so far as to make sure the tap water is the same temp as the tank water by using a thermometer, but most people just test with their hand.

However, if you have high ammonia coming out of your tap, maybe you should be using bottled spring water. Anybody else have suggestions?

 

[annamae07]

Sorry I forgot to add that it is a 5 gallon tank, with filter and heater, i've thought about going to petco and doing a gallon change daily with their water but i dont know if that would be safe for my betta. I'm using algae control was when I first set up my tank i didnt really take full control of monitoring the algae cause i was more concerned with the levels, and I also didnt have a fish then, now im just kinda getting it to a normal control, i also have a piece of drift wood in there and an umbrella plant.

 

[This Old Spouse]

What kind of "umbrella plant?" Got a photo? I'm wondering because it might not be an aquarium plant. If it's not it will rot in your tank and cause all sorts of trouble.

 

[annamae07]

This is what i bough from petsmart, the only pet store we have where i live that has live plants already
http/a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/255654_1289981168307_1193550390_30723998_6413084_n.jpg

 

[This Old Spouse]

You should post that photo in the plants section. It looks like a peace lily to me! But I'm no expert on plants.