On Going Ammonia Problem Please Help

dezign2

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Hi,

I have a male betta (Finneus) who has been in a 2.5 gal desktop aquarium since April 08, where the water is filtered and heated and there is gravel. Since November I have been having bad ammonia problems. At one point, I almost lost the fish. He is acting better and is swimming around a lot more than he did, but he is a pale color, and I am concerned about him. I have done 50% water changes every day just to keep the ammonia levels lower. Just recently, I was not able to change the water daily, and in 2 days the level was above 5.0 ppm. Otherwise, if I change the water every day, the level remains around 1.0 ppm. He is the only fish in the tank. I have just recently taken almost all of the water out, rinsed the gravel and started over, but when I tested the water it was still 1.0ppm. I have been using Ammonia Detox but it doesn't seem to decrease the amount of ammonia in the tank, so I never know if it is working. I put it in everytime I do a water change along with Stress zyme & Aquasafe. Please let me know if there is anything else I should do to get rid of this nagging problem. :-( My tap water tests at 0 for ammonia, by the way.

Tank size: 2.5 gal
ammonia:1.0 to 5.0ppm
nitrite:
nitrate:
kH:
gH:
tank temp:75

Fish Symptoms (include full description including lesion, color, location, fish behavior):Fish has begun to lay on the bottom of tank, is eating but is pale in color.

Volume and Frequency of water changes: daily to every other day 50%

Chemical Additives or Media in your tank: Aquasafe, Stress zyme, Ammonia Detox

Tank inhabitants: just have the one fish

Recent additions to your tank (living or decoration): none. There are stones and 1 plastic plant

Exposure to chemicals: ?
The tank is on my kitchen counter. I dont use chemicals in or on the tank.
 
This is odd... what sort of filtration is the tank running and what media are you using? I guess it could be a problem with old zeolite... the tank is plainly not cycled so there might be something to gain by replacing the media and starting from scratch.
 
This is odd... what sort of filtration is the tank running and what media are you using? I guess it could be a problem with old zeolite... the tank is plainly not cycled so there might be something to gain by replacing the media and starting from scratch.

I found a small Whisper internal filter for under 5 gallons for this tank. I use small Whisper filter cartridges for 1-3 gallons. I also have an air stone that fits down into an underground filter tube. It is a small desktop hexagonal tank that is about 2.5 gallons. I found a small heater that keeps the water at 75 degrees. It is a cute little tank. The water is crystal clear and is very deceiving. I wanted to have a nice home for the fish, because I feel sorry for those beautiful Bettas in those little cups in the store. Unfortunately, he would probably be better off in a little cup at this point.

I have tried everything I can think of. Just this weekend, I took everything out of the tank and thoroughly rinsed the rocks, cleaned the underground filter, and I am still getting a 2.0ppm. Does ammonia collect and remain in the rocks? I have the natural colored stones. The tank is plastic, could the ammonia be absorbed into the plastic? I guess I should find something else to put him in.

How long does it take to cycle a tank. The tank sat with water in it for about 3 weeks before I got the fish. Please let me know exactly how to properly cycle a tank. What things disrupt the cycle process?

Thanks, :crazy:
 

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