Sky High Ammonia In Overstocked Tank

[fatheadminnow]

I just gave the 'worst case scenario' advice. Better safe than sorry. And as the OP doesn't have a test kit...

Plus I'm sure the die back rate is higher than that...I'm pretty sure you'd be looking at more like a week max for all the bacteria to have died.
Afterall if they have nothing to metabolise then they will die...they have the nutrients from other bacteria dying...but I find it hard to believe they'd last more than a week.

Where are you referencing those times from? (Not saying you're wrong, i'd just like to see for myself)

That is just info I have gathered here on the forums from some pretty reputable members. Not sure where the source is though. But the die off rate is 3-10% every 24 hours, if they are still in water, just no ammonia source. I mean you got to think, humans can go up to 14 days without food, if I am not mistaken. And these are bacteria, which over centuries have found means of survival in the most extreme conditions.

Yup, do larger water changes. The mature media should soon "kick" in and the cycle should complete pretty quick.

-FHM

 

[rustyspurs]

I just gave the 'worst case scenario' advice. Better safe than sorry. And as the OP doesn't have a test kit...

Plus I'm sure the die back rate is higher than that...I'm pretty sure you'd be looking at more like a week max for all the bacteria to have died.
Afterall if they have nothing to metabolise then they will die...they have the nutrients from other bacteria dying...but I find it hard to believe they'd last more than a week.

Where are you referencing those times from? (Not saying you're wrong, i'd just like to see for myself)

That is just info I have gathered here on the forums from some pretty reputable members. Not sure where the source is though. But the die off rate is 3-10% every 24 hours, if they are still in water, just no ammonia source. I mean you got to think, humans can go up to 14 days without food, if I am not mistaken. And these are bacteria, which over centuries have found means of survival in the most extreme conditions.

Yup, do larger water changes. The mature media should soon "kick" in and the cycle should complete pretty quick.

-FHM

thanks again all will let you know how it all works out

 

[coldcazzie]

I just wanted to add my 2ps worth - I definitely think it's worth getting the kits - you're saying it's expensive but think how much the petrol driving to the fish shop every other day will cost you - plus it's a complete phaff, so much easier to do it in your kitchen or living room at any hour of the day!

Also, you have to think of the water changes in terms of the amount of ammonia and % of water changed. So if your ammonia is 4ppm (the 2nd worst colour on the chart), and you change 50% of the water then that will make it 2ppm. If you change 50% again then it will be 1ppm. If you change another 50% after that it will be 0.5ppm etc. If your water is currently at 4ppm and you want a reading of 0-0.25 then I'd do much larger changes than 50%, I'd maybe do 2 or 3 80-90% changes! Just to make sure. Your fish will thank you for it!

Lemme put it this way - with only 2 angels in my 4foot tank (so significantly less bioload than you have!) I was doing 30-40% changes daily for nearly 2 weeks when my tank last had a mini cycle. So with more fish than me the short answer is no - 20% is not nearly enough!

 

[GuppyGoddess]

IMO, you should be taking some of the fish back otherwise you're going to be going through h*ll. . .I know becaue I've overstocked my 3-gallon and 10-gallon and no amount of water changes have made things easier for my fish. You're going to burn out on water changes QUICKLY when you realize how much time it's taking. From what I read, Neons need a mature tank so chances are they will not survive in the tank you have regardless of how low the ammonia is at this point, so why put them through that torture AND add to your work load.

Also, yes, do the daily water changes. The LFS I often shop at says to do 10% every three days, but I was doing 20% daily and my tank cycled. It wasn't until I began syphoning the gravel that my levels went back up!