Nitrogen Cycle Messed Up & Fin Loss

[gazb5590]

I currently have a 140 litre tank which I have had up and running for around 2 months now which has 4 glowlight tetras, 4 neon tetras, 6 yo-yo loaches, 1 male betta, 1 female betta, 1 female crowntail betta, 4 african dwarf frogs, 2 steel blue killifish, 1 rainbow shark and 1 L162 clown plec. I was at the later end of the Nitrite part of the nitrogen cycle (Ammonia 0, Nitrite 1, Nitrate 40) when I done around a 40% water change but unfortunately the person helping me washed a sponge from 1 of my filters with tap water. I tested the water after the water change and I got ammonia 1, nitrite 0, nitrate 0 and now a week later it's at ammonia 3, nitrite 0, nitrate 0-1 and within the space of a day or 2 my male betta has lost most of its bottom tail and my female betta has lost alot of her tail as well. My betta crowntail female doesn't seem effected at all though at the minute. I am also using amquel+ to make the ammonia less toxic. Just wondering if anyone could tell me what to do for the best now regarding the fin loss and also the nitrogen cycle as I am not sure if it's started all over again or if it's completely messed up and if my other fish/frogs in the tank are currently safe? THANKS A LOT FOR ANY HELP/ADVICE GIVEN

 

[snazy]

I am not sure if it's started all over again or if it's completely messed up and if my other fish/frogs in the tank are currently safe?

One way to check if cycle has started all over again is to start checking the nitrate levels. If they do increase, considering you don't add nitrates via plant fertilizers or tap water, then the cycle is going but there just isn't enough bacteria to cope with it.

 

[gazb5590]

I sometimes use Seachem flourish and seachem flourish excel as well as co2 tablets but I've not used these for around about a week now since doing the water change. I did use some king british water safe bacteria but I've just used the last of it up

 

[Xraymark]

Test your ammonia and if not zero then water changes. Which will be dependent on the level of ammonia.

0.25ppm of ammonia is harmfully to fish. If your ammonia is 1 then a 90% water change brings it down to 0.1.

It looks like some of your bacteria was killed. Keep testing and doing water changes if necessary. You may be in a fish in cycle.

 

[gazb5590]

Test your ammonia and if not zero then water changes. Which will be dependent on the level of ammonia.

0.25ppm of ammonia is harmfully to fish. If your ammonia is 1 then a 90% water change brings it down to 0.1.

It looks like some of your bacteria was killed. Keep testing and doing water changes if necessary. You may be in a fish in cycle.

My ammonia is currently at around 3ppm and my nitrite is 0 ppm and nitrate around 0-1 ppm but I'm fairly sure it's going through the nitrogen cycle all over again. I'm hoping the amquel+ will keep the ammonia detoxified enough for it not to cause any casualties to the fish but I'm not too sure if all the fish in the tank will be able to survive a cycle. Only time will tell

 

[Xraymark]

Massive water change.  90%. ASAP.   3ppm with a 90% water change brings it to 0.3 ppm which is too high.

Another 90% water change is needed.

It's important to bring that ammonia down. Any ammonia is harmful to fish.

 

[gazb5590]

Massive water change.  90%. ASAP.   3ppm with a 90% water change brings it to 0.3 ppm which is too high.

Another 90% water change is needed.

It's important to bring that ammonia down. Any ammonia is harmful to fish.

will this effect the nitrogen cycle? and thanks for the help

 

[Xraymark]

You are probably in a fish in cycle. Check out the beginners section in the new freshwater section. It will give specifics of what is necessary.

Try and keep your ammonia below 0.25ppm for the sake of your fish. With the small amount of ammonia feediing your bacteria.

Most likely means regular water changes.

 

[gazb5590]

You are probably in a fish in cycle. Check out the beginners section in the new freshwater section. It will give specifics of what is necessary.

Try and keep your ammonia below 0.25ppm for the sake of your fish. With the small amount of ammonia feediing your bacteria.

Most likely means regular water changes.

Just realised that the reason why I might be getting a reading of around 3ppm is because the test is picking up the ammonia (NH3) & ammonium (NH4). I'm not sure how I can find out if I have any ammonia in the water at all though as it could be just the ammonium that is reading 3ppm

 

[Xraymark]

I assume you are referring to the product ampuel  which I again assume converts ammonia to the less toxic form.  I'm not familiar with the product.  I think these products are a temporary fix.


If your filter was functioning properly then you shouldn't detect ammonium.

 

[snazy]

Just realised that the reason why I might be getting a reading of around 3ppm is because the test is picking up the ammonia (NH3) & ammonium (NH4). I'm not sure how I can find out if I have any ammonia in the water at all though as it could be just the ammonium that is reading 3ppm

Amquel may have converted some of the ammonia to non-toxic, but considering the fish are losing their fins, and you don't have a proper test to test how much is the toxic ammonia only, then don't risk it and do water changes till you bring the ammonia to as close to 0 as possible.

 

[sausagewinkle]

Just to butt in and point out that your male and female betta have probably lost their tails due to them fighting. Males and Females should not be kept together. With the water as bad as it is, any injury will result in fin rot and they will loose their tails pretty quickly

Good luck getting your tank sorted

 

[gazb5590]

Done about a 98% water change and I didn't even end up with any casualties has I thought the shock of putting them back in the tank after such an heavy change could've caused problems. I did have a male and female for a few weeks and they was absolutely fine until I added 2 new females and then the old female scared 1 to death an continuously chased the other new 1 and the male flared at them all but both of the females are too scared to attack the male. I separated them all though as I think the rise in ammonia was making them aggressive and since the water change they've all been swimming together without any flaring or nipping what-so-ever. The only problem is is that the male's fins are getting a lot worse

 

[sausagewinkle]

the males fins will not heal in your water, they will just rot away, he needs 100% clean water.
And as I said before, they should not be kept together. They might look like they are getting on ok now but you have just said that there was chasing prior to this.
Bettas dont live by the livebearer rule/ratio 1 male to 3+females, males should not be kept with females.

 

[gazb5590]

the males fins will not heal in your water, they will just rot away, he needs 100% clean water.
And as I said before, they should not be kept together. They might look like they are getting on ok now but you have just said that there was chasing prior to this.
Bettas dont live by the livebearer rule/ratio 1 male to 3+females, males should not be kept with females.

I said this at the shop when I bought him and 2 other females but they said it would be fine. The 1st problem I had was the 1 of the females kept harassing the other female so I took 1 back. For the past few weeks though the male and female was fine together and sometimes they'd follow each other but it wasn't 1 bit aggressive until I added 2 more females and then he went berserk and kept flaring and chasing the other females