My current water levels

[ZachSoduk]

Could someone help me out? I have a 55 gallon tank and didn't learn about cycling until I had already added fish. I have 3 fish in there currently (zebra Danio, a gourami and a Dalmatian Molly) and I am wondering how to improve my water quality these are my results.

Also, since I have found out I stared a new 10 gallon and the water is at perfect levels. Not sure if I should switch the fish to that tank or what. Any advice for a guy that's new to the hobby?


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[Mrscmurray]

Is there anything causing waste/ammonia in the 10 gallon? If not then that's why they're currently perfect, once fish are added the waste produced would start the cycle in that one too.

I would recommend large water changes, I'd go as far as 75% to get those levels down while your tank tries to generate the bacteria to deal with them itself

 

[ZachSoduk]

Is there anything causing waste/ammonia in the 10 gallon? If not then that's why they're currently perfect, once fish are added the waste produced would start the cycle in that one too.

I would recommend large water changes, I'd go as far as 75% to get those levels down while your tank tries to generate the bacteria to deal with them itself

A friend gave me a sponge filter he had and was in a established tank. So yes


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[Mrscmurray]

A friend gave me a sponge filter he had and was in a established tank. So yes


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OK well that gives you a nice head start with the other tank. Have you dosed it with ammonia at all to feed the bacteria on the sponge?

 

[StevenF]

The best thing you can do is to do at least a 50% water change every day or two or more times a day until the levels drop to the safe range. Test for ammonia and nitrate daily until you can go a week with undetectable ammonia and nitrite. visually check your fish frequently during the day. If their condition seams to get worse do an additional water change. Each water change should reduce the ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels by about 50%

The 10 gallon will need to cycle which will take about 3 weeks before it is ready for fish. If you move the fish into the 10 gallon now ammonia and nitrite levels will rise to unhealthy levels even faster than they are in the 55 gallon tank. To prepare the 10 gallon for fish follow these instructions: http://www.fishforums.net/threads/cycling-your-new-fresh-water-tank-read-this-first.421488/

For now I think it is best to stick with the 55 gallon and put the sponge from the established tank in the 55 gallon tank filter. The 55 is already primed with ammonia and food so the bacteria should multiply rapidly in it and hopefully resolve the issue quickly.

Safe ranges are zero ppm for ammonia and nitrite and for nitrate it is recommended to be less than 20ppm. PH is primarily set by the minerals in your tap water. If you haven't done so test your tap water and post the test results. It is often helpful to know what is typical for your tap water.