Angie

Ok, so I am posting this for my mother. She has an outdoor aquarium thats about 430 gallons. She has put in fresh water, but the amonia levels are as high as they go color wise on the strip. How can that be if its caused by waste? So, 23 fish have died and we are trying to save the remaining few. They have what I think is amonia posining, red gills, laying at bottom gasping for air. Sme have lost scales. The PH is fine. Now, she has painted it, which is what I am wondering is the source. However, she has painted it before with this same paint (swimming pool water sealent paint) and this didn't happen. So, I guess my question is, how do I get rid of the amonia? Usually a water change is suggested, but its FRESH water? Any suggestions?

Angie

Luniyn

Test your tap water (I'm guessing you use a garden hose to fill the tank with?) and make sure it doesn't have any ammonia levels from the outflow. If it's fine there, then start doing a water change right away. If you are getting ammonia right out of the hose, then detach that hose from the spigot and test right from there. If it's ok at the tap then that hose either had something crawl up into it and die or something is wrong with it (i.e. replace it). If its from the tap then you have no choice but to treat the water with a chemical like Prime or Amquel+ or even get the Pond Version of Amquel+ (this is a pond and not an actual glass tank right?). You could get these chemicals anyway to help during the water change period as they won't hurt the tank in anyway.

Angie

Hey thanks! I will do as you suggested and let ya know what I find

Angie

Angie

the water from tap and the hose tested fine. Mom put in "start right" and it made the levels ok. I dont know what in the world is up, but I suppose that stuff made it all better. Thanks a lot for your help...and I have told her about that product you suggested.

Angie