Please Help, Water Stats, Emergency !!

[Clairel]

I was worried about my fish though, and on one day i did two, 50% water changes, as i had 4.0 ammonia, then i got it down to 2.0, so what can i do to keep ammonia levels low or nil, without using prime, ?

The more water changes i do a day, isnt that getting rid of my bacteria? Which i am trying to build up?

I also added a sponge from my brothers tank, he has had his set up 7 months, i thought this might help matters

Claire x

 

[Bloo]

Adding the sponge from your brother's tank should most certainly help
And yes, unfortunately the large water changes don't do much to help the cycle.
Is it not an option to keep your fish in your brother's tank while your tank cycles ?
I think the main thing is to watch for actual distress signs of your fish - rather than panic about the stats. Your tank needs to cycle and that's the bottom line. It "generally" takes a tank that size around 3 weeks to cycle when the process runs it's normal course. Though this can and should be significantly reduced with some cloning (the sponge from your brother's tank).
I think you're just going to have to sit this one through and watch your fish like a hawk (which I'm sure you already do) and let the tank cycle as it should. A 25% water change is really all you should do at most.

 

[Clairel]

I think i will keep as i am, rather than give my fish to my brother to look after, as he has some Chiclids, and they are very nasty Lol, and his 180 litre tank is almost full anyway of fish

Claire x

 

[Fella]

The only thing I could think of would be if you were to ask your brother nicely (see also: beg) if you could borrow an ornament from his tank as that would be beneficial to the cycle. Push comes to shove, a sock full of his gravel might also help. The idea is that the bacteria that break down the ammonia, nitrIte and NitrAte live on most surfaces in a matured aquarium.

Good luck!

 

[Clairel]

Ooooooooooh thanx for that, i will ask him about that....Im sure his ornaments are very large though, and wouldnt fit in my tank But some gravel would

C x

 

[Clairel]

My Water stats this morning...

Ammonia 1.0
Ph 6.5
Nitrite 0.50
NitrAte 10

After partial 25% water change

Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Ph 6.5
NitrAte 5

Does this look ok?

C x

 

[Bloo]

For the moment as it stands, looking very good !

 

[jolaf]

Go figure this out......I had ich for over four weeks and the test kit showed everything excellent. As soon as I rid the ich the nitrites shoot off the chart as does the ph. i have done multiple water changes not fed the fish for two days now. Nothing seems to be making it go down I suppose I will ahve to wait for the cycle to work itself out. my fish have never been better. no deaths no wierd acting up I am jsut floored. It has now been 5 days since the levels went nutsy from me adding the ich med taking out the filters etc. I jsut do not know what to do next.

Oh dear I think a lot of problems are actually caused by things such as ammonia and nitrate removers - which in my opinion then just messes with the cycling process. I think you've done enough water changes for now. Just keep a close eye on any significant distress signs. But for now you've done what you can. Do not add any more ammonia removers or other chemicals apart from water conditioners / dechlorinators.
At this point in time your fish are unfortunately not "thriving" in such water conditions - they are only surviving - or trying to
You are doing the best you can though.
Check your water stats again tomorrow and do another 25% change.

Good luck !

[snapback]902721[/snapback]​

 

[Clairel]

My fish are also very well, and acting the best they ever have !!!

Here are my stats taken this morning :~

Ammonia 0.50
Nitirte 0.50
PH 6.5
NitrAte 10

Obviously these stats are NOT good, as i have ammonia and nitrite in there, what do you guys suggest a water change of 25% ? I have been doing this every day for the last week, (see my previous posts in here).

When do you guys think it will stabilise?

Thanx
Claire x