PhishFor20

I did my 25% water change cuz the ammonia was high, and then i checked the levels after i did the water change it was still at like a 1. or a bit higher...what should i do? Or is that as good as its gunna get til my tank is cycled?

Mert16

hello,

Im pretty much a newbie too, but Ive been researching. and for your tank being a week old, it seems that you put in too many fish. to start off the nitrogen cycle you should have introduced one fish. (the scout) the water is not aged enough that the beneficial bacteria needed to break down ammonia in the tank is needing to play catch up with all the ammonia from too many fish. try adding in some beneficial bacteria sold at the pet store like Cycle. Its actual bacteria, it helps speed up the nitrogen cycle. hoped it helped and good luck!!!

PhishFor20

eh i've done that, aparently Cycle sucks, i'm just wondering if anyone with experiance, no offense Mert thank you, knows if it is normal for a new tank that hasn't been cycled(in the process) to have ammonia levels of over 1. after a water change. My nitrite levels are normal tho... Anyone? Thanks

KittieKat

dont use Cycle its not the right bacteria.. use bio spira

ammonia levels are going to be crazy until its cycled... so yes its normal.. unless u did a idk 75% water change... yikes

PhishFor20

Not the right bacteria? Those fools! ha, yea the only pet store in town that has bio spira is out right now so until then its daily water changes, such a hassle, my fault though, thanks Kat

KittieKat

no problem... sorry to hear that theyre out.. thats no fun... but if u have an used filter replacement (the white thingys that have carbon in them) u can place that in the aquarium... helps it out... just until u get the bio spira

PhishFor20

New tank, new filter....i'm super bummed, i want the best for my fish and it seems I am making it all worse, lol, thanks again

KittieKat

everyone makes mistakes.. its a part of learning. just for next time fully cycle ur tank before u even think of putting anything in it

PhishFor20

Sigh..yeah

AggieYen

What will help your fish, if you haven't done so already, is to use Prime as your water conditioner - Prime binds the ammonia in the water so it's less toxic to your fish. It doesn't eliminate the ammonia, but it makes the ammonia less stressful to your fish.

Ammonia at 1 is very high when there's fish present. However, it's a better idea to test your water a couple of hours after a water change to get accurate readings, rather than right after the water change. It takes a while for the water chemistry to work itself out again after new water has gone in.

COBettaCouple

That's why I like to test right before I do a water change. Prime really is the best water conditioner. We use it in all the tanks even though they're cycled.