Update

[dixiedawn]

I went out this morning and bought some more stree coat..and some stuff called Ammo Lock made by API (im assuming they're more reputable) and a bit more powerful filter/pump to get the water circulating a bit more...also bought some ich treatments...what the heck is ich and how do i recognize it??

I did a 20% water change..dechlorified it, put a bit of stress coat in and also the ammo lock...then i put the new pump/filter in and he's perked up a bit..he's swimming around alot more and that was done about an hour ago...the ammonia levels were high..something like 3 before i put the ammo lock in..they've dropped to a 2. something now....am i doing this right???

 

[england]

this will exsplain ich<white spot>

http/www.fishdoc.co.uk/disease/whitespot.htm

 

[QuotheRaven]

Your doing the right thing I believe ( except the obvious but much more difficult option due to your daughter of returning the fish) however I am not sure if Ammo Lock works or not some say yes others say no but I have found API are a reasonable product...
DO NOT turn off the filter or clean it (extra emphasis on cleaning the filter...and turning off meaning say leaving it off when you go out or sleep) as this will kill of bacteria building up... so what you should do I believe is every 4 days change 10-20% of the water with fresh water and keep the ammo lock going...test your ammonia BEFORE you do your water change each time to see how the beneficial bacteria build up is going

 

[dixiedawn]

Your doing the right thing I believe ( except the obvious but much more difficult option due to your daughter of returning the fish) however I am not sure if Ammo Lock works or not some say yes others say no but I have found API are a reasonable product...
DO NOT turn off the filter or clean it (extra emphasis on cleaning the filter...and turning off meaning say leaving it off when you go out or sleep) as this will kill of bacteria building up... so what you should do I believe is every 4 days change 10-20% of the water with fresh water and keep the ammo lock going...test your ammonia BEFORE you do your water change each time to see how the beneficial bacteria build up is going

being as the ammonia level was a 4 n now is 2 i believe it's working..he seems a bit happier and is swimming around and playing in the bubbles and in the current..BIG improvement from yesterday and last night...when should i do the next dosage of ammo lock? I read the directions and it says once every couple of days until it's down to 0...

and thanks for the link..most insightful

 

[-germ-]

Careful with ammo-lock, its been said that it can lead to sudden ammonia spikes....
If you've got the time i'd go for a 10% water change daily, your tank will cycle slower doing this but theres less chance of permenant damage to the fish...
Stupidly i cycled 3 tanks fish in, not hardy species either (far from it) but suffered no losses by keeping to small, daily water changes.