Omg Help!

[SakuraK9]

I hate to have my first post be an emergency, Ive been reading this forum for almost a year....but I don't know what to do...

Im a soldier in the army and just got back from some training. My 55g tank was being cared for while I was away. I just got back in, and I noticed I could smell the water. I checked the levels, and almost fell off my chair.

ammonia- 4.0
nitrate- .25
nitrite- 20
PH- 6.0

My tank also has a new filter....a fluval 305...

And new fish are in there...

I can see about 8 rasboras, 2 swordtail, 5 mollies, 3 cory cats, 5 medium angels, and one RTBS...
Everyone looks alright, a bit stressed, but no major issues.

I know this needs to be fixed ASAP, but how much is too much too soon? I don't want my poor guys to die, and I hate seeing them suffer.

HELP!!!

 

[drobbyb]

Water changed ASAP. Get that ammonia down to at least .25ppm

 

[Colin_T]

The fish are still alive because your PH is below 7.0, it is 6.0 and as such the ammonia isn't as toxic as it would be in alkaline water. Do a 75% water change using dechlorinated water with a similar temperature and PH to the tank. Also do a complete gravel clean and don't feed them for a few days.
Do another 75% water change (and gravel clean) each day until the levels of ammonia & nitrite are 0ppm.
Increase aeration/ surface turbulence if possible.

If you are only away for a week or two then don't bother getting anyone to feed the fish. If you are away for longer then make up small packets of food and get someone to put a packet in every couple of days. The fish are better off going hungry rather than being poisoned. Having lots of plants in the tank will also help provide food for many fishes and can be used to help them survive if you are away for long periods.
An automatic fish feeder can also be employed but you should set it up and monitor/ adjust it for a week or so before you leave.

 

[SakuraK9]

Thank you so much for the help...

Ugh I was so shocked... I did a 25 last night and a 75 this morning....Im waiting a bit to check the water lvls....Apparently they broke my old filter....and didnt replace it right away.
Well at least I know who NOT to leave my fish with...

Since It is a planted tank, I can leave them for a bit without having someone feed them? I didnt know that. Thanks for the advice .

My fish look happier already. Thanks

 

[vinylman]

As has been pointed out, it's much easier to feed a fish to death than starve one. They can go for days on end in the wild without finding food. You can comfortably leave them for 7-10 days without any worries. Any longer than that and I'd use one of the Tetra holiday blocks for someone to put in after a week. They're made of an edible gel that contains granules of food, unlike the old type which were held together with plaster.