Very Concerned About Ammonia Levels

[Chris #]

I didn't mention this but we are 4 female guppies down this week - Miss Wiggle you are right it's a hard message but they've been really good.

they've said goodbye and we've promised the rest we will "mend the poorly tank" as soon as possible.


If Dexter the Red Tail Shark goes that's going to upset them - he's showing effects (going dozy and darting a little in the evenings) so I'm hoping a week isn't too much for him.

Things are looking good after the tests today so hopefully it won't be too long

 

[GRJ]

I didn't mention this but we are 4 female guppies down this week - Miss Wiggle you are right it's a hard message but they've been really good.

they've said goodbye and we've promised the rest we will "mend the poorly tank" as soon as possible.


If Dexter the Red Tail Shark goes that's going to upset them - he's showing effects (going dozy and darting a little in the evenings) so I'm hoping a week isn't too much for him.

Things are looking good after the tests today so hopefully it won't be too long

Hi Chris, what sort of bacteria product have you got? The lfs test results mean you will have to do a 75% water change to get that nitrite down to 0.25. As for the your red shark, keep a close eye on him, if he starts to gasy for air at the surface he is suffering. Keep up your water changes as they are less stressfull than ammonia or nitrite poisoning. Good luck. GRJ

 

[Chris #]

I didn't mention this but we are 4 female guppies down this week - Miss Wiggle you are right it's a hard message but they've been really good.

they've said goodbye and we've promised the rest we will "mend the poorly tank" as soon as possible.


If Dexter the Red Tail Shark goes that's going to upset them - he's showing effects (going dozy and darting a little in the evenings) so I'm hoping a week isn't too much for him.

Things are looking good after the tests today so hopefully it won't be too long

Hi Chris, what sort of bacteria product have you got? The lfs test results mean you will have to do a 75% water change to get that nitrite down to 0.25. As for the your red shark, keep a close eye on him, if he starts to gasy for air at the surface he is suffering. Keep up your water changes as they are less stressfull than ammonia or nitrite poisoning. Good luck. GRJ

It's called "King British Tap Safe"

 

[Chris #]

Sorry "water Safe"

 

[GRJ]

I didn't mention this but we are 4 female guppies down this week - Miss Wiggle you are right it's a hard message but they've been really good.

they've said goodbye and we've promised the rest we will "mend the poorly tank" as soon as possible.


If Dexter the Red Tail Shark goes that's going to upset them - he's showing effects (going dozy and darting a little in the evenings) so I'm hoping a week isn't too much for him.

Things are looking good after the tests today so hopefully it won't be too long

Hi Chris, what sort of bacteria product have you got? The lfs test results mean you will have to do a 75% water change to get that nitrite down to 0.25. As for the your red shark, keep a close eye on him, if he starts to gasy for air at the surface he is suffering. Keep up your water changes as they are less stressfull than ammonia or nitrite poisoning. Good luck. GRJ

It's called "King British Tap Safe"

Hi again Chris. Be very wary of 'bottled' filter booster, it normally isnt very good. The thing with it is, the bacteria need ammonia to feed on, there is no source of ammonia in the bottled stuff, unless you can get the 'bactinettes' product which is, allegedly, very good. I have used a few filter booster products and they have done absolutely nothing to my tank. I think what you have their is a dechlorinater, like i ay, i am in no way an expert, i am going from what i have heard from this forum. Its worth a try though, and you will want to try anything, i know as i have gone through that stage! Patience really is a virtue! I gather you have managed to get someone to donate media to you, well thats Brilliant ! That will speed your cycle up more than anything else. Let me know how you get on. GRJ

 

[Chris #]

Hi,

Thought it was time for an update :

- No fish lost this week (hooray)
- Ammonia at 0.3/0.4 and going down
- Nitrites up to 0.3
- pH stable at 7.5

So it looks like the tank is cycling at last!!!!!


The question is should I leave it alone now or continue changing the water?

 

[GRJ]

Hi,

Thought it was time for an update :

- No fish lost this week (hooray)
- Ammonia at 0.3/0.4 and going down
- Nitrites up to 0.3
- pH stable at 7.5

So it looks like the tank is cycling at last!!!!!


The question is should I leave it alone now or continue changing the water?

Hi Chris, your tank is definatley cycling but the bad news is you still have to keep up the irksome water changes. Your amonia going down is a very good sign though. Now you have to try and keep the nitrite below 0.25. Its a long winded process i know but it will be worth it, believe me. My tank is still stable but i have noticed ich on one of my platys so i have to sort that out now. So, even when its cycled, the effects of the ammonia and nitrite will still cause you problems. When your ammonia and nitrite are 0, and your nitrates begin to rise, then your cycle has completed, but the tank will take at least 6months to 1 year to mature. Its a learning curve and i learn something every day. I do enjoy it though andi am considering a marine tank too now. I am going to make sure i research research research before hand though! I must be mad! Thanks for the update and keep in touch! GRJ

 

[Chris #]

One question.....

If I keep feeding every other day long term (for another month or so) will my fish starve?


When should I start feeding them again?

 

[GRJ]

One question.....

If I keep feeding every other day long term (for another month or so) will my fish starve?


When should I start feeding them again?

Hi Chris, people have many different ideas on feeding and i think you have to just observe the fish to see how they are doing. I feed mine every other day and they are fine with that. Having said that, i drop an algae tablet occasionaly as a treat. I also got some live daphnia from my lfs and they lapped that up as it gave them something to hunt down and gollop up. I am going to try them with some cucumber and see how they go with that, again as a treat. I think fish can go a few days without food if they are having enough when you do feed them. I have heard some people feed every day, some twice a day or more and even feed them 6 days a week and have a 'fast' day where they get nothing.A lot of it is personal choice, just remember that the more you feed them, the more they poo and ammonia levels will rise in an unstable tank. Its your choice, of they seem fine with every other day, keep to that, or feed them daily, but lessen the amount of food. Hope that helps, GRJ

 

[Miss Wiggle]

just wanted to say GRJ has given some really good advice here, your tank's on it's way to being sorted, but it's not quite there yet, keep up daily water changes and you'll come through it.

your fish definitely won't starve from feeding every other day, they can go up to 2 weeks without food if need be so you can definately put your mind at ease on that one. as GRJ said you'll find your own routine in time.

 

[Chris #]

just wanted to say GRJ has given some really good advice here, your tank's on it's way to being sorted, but it's not quite there yet, keep up daily water changes and you'll come through it.

your fish definitely won't starve from feeding every other day, they can go up to 2 weeks without food if need be so you can definately put your mind at ease on that one. as GRJ said you'll find your own routine in time.

Thanks Miss Wiggle!!!

It's a good feeling to be getting there.......


I'm also a Guppy daddy again now!!! I've got 20 fry in there!!!!

 

[GRJ]

just wanted to say GRJ has given some really good advice here, your tank's on it's way to being sorted, but it's not quite there yet, keep up daily water changes and you'll come through it.

your fish definitely won't starve from feeding every other day, they can go up to 2 weeks without food if need be so you can definately put your mind at ease on that one. as GRJ said you'll find your own routine in time.

Ahhhh! Thats really sweet of you to say that Miss Wiggle. I am no expert, i am just giving the advice i was given on here. You gave me some good advice when i fisrt started a few months back. Its my way of saying Thanks!! My tank is all cycled now and i am adding fish very slowly and had no problems(apart from ich!!!) as yet. Patience is the key word. Thanks for the compliment though! GRJ

 

[crafty carper]

could it be possible that you are urinateing to frequently in your tank this will cause ammonia to sky rocket. also you could be over feeding your fish on fries or burgers although mc donalds do offer a healthy approach such as ceaser salad this may only be siutible for marine fish because of the salt content

 

[-germ-]

Troll, looking forward to going back to school with spelling like that?
Reported.

 

[crafty carper]

i was only trying to help sorry , as for my spelling im not stupid my mum says im speceal