volon287

I have had a 10 gallon water tank for over a year now. I had a lot of trouble getting the initial cycle right. Recently I have been having trouble keeping the ammonia level down. I figured out we are probably feeding the fish too much, but a change in habits hasn't helpe. At one point the ammonia level was at 8.0. I have done 20% and greater water changes several times per week, but can't get it under 4.0. A lot of debrit is stirred up when vaccuming the rocks and I'm wondering if I need to empty the tank and clean it all out.
Help!

krazykid933

How many fish are in it?

volon287

4 red eye tetris, 2 neons, a little red fish, and an algae eater.

krazykid933

Hmm... try changing half to three quarters through vacumming. Where is the water supply from?

volon287

I either let is sit on the counter a day or two, or I boil it. I thought perhaps the testing kit was wrong, so I tested the water that I was going to put into the tank, and it was 0.00.

krazykid933

That's strange... all I can think of is water changes. See what others have to say. But try a water change. Good luck!

volon287

Thank you.

Lucy

Hi volon welcome to Fish Lore

Whoa, that's a heck of an ammonia reading.
What kind of test kit are you using?
What are your nitrite and nitrate readings?
Are you using any water conditioner?
How long have you had these fish and have you added any new ones lately?

Sorry for all the questions, but they help others figure out what going on.

I agree with the daily water changes, say 50% to get this under control.

Good luck.

MissMTS

I agree with Lucy, we need to know the above things that she listed in order for us to know what to tell you about your reading. Is your tank cycled and do you know about the nitrogen cycle?

volon287

I was out of the testing strips that read Nitrate and Nitrite levels, but those two readings have always been high. At the store last week I purchased an ammonia only kit in which you take water from the tank and add 8 drops of each of two solutions, wait five minutes, and then read the results against a color card. Because ammonia is the precursor to nitrate/nitrite, I thought this was probably a good test to get. I have added water conditioner, but it doesn't help. Most of the fish I have had for over a year, I recently added two after losing two, and one of the new ones had died (what a surprise). My algae eater recently died as well. I am really not very good at this, but want to be successful. I do know about the nitrogen cycle, but since the water has never been ideally balance, am not sure I ever achieved success with this. As much debrit as I stir up with vacuuming, you would think there would be tons of bacteria. I really need help.

MissMTS

I know this must be frustrating for you, but it will get better

You may have never completely cycled your tank, if you are still getting ammonia readings. The problem is, your fish are probably suffering. If you can here are the steps I would take to put things right. It may seem like back-tracking, but it will make for a much healthier, happier tank.

1) I would take all of your fish back to the LFS.
2) Start feeding your tank either fish flakes or ammonia daily to get the tank through the cycle.
3) Once the tank is cycled and you have the following readings: 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 5-20 nitrate, you can add 2-3 fish.
4) Wait two weeks to avoid an ammonia spike and then add the remainder of the fish.

Remember: You only want to house a maximum of 10 inches of adult fish in your tank. Right now your tank is overstocked which is probably adding to the problem.

If you do not want to take the above steps and you can get your hands on some bio-spira, that will also get your tank through the cycle within a week. You should still take back a few fish though to avoid future problems. You are pretty much stocked with the 6 tetras

volon287

What is LFS? And thank you for your reply. I wanted to add that the water is clear as a bell. Does that change your diagnosis?

MissMTS

Sorry for the abbreviation LFS= Local Fish Store. The water can be perfectly clean and still not be cycled. I don't think that changes much. At least you are keeping up on your water changes though

volon287

Thank you.

fishbum

Check your tap water too,this may be the culprit.Letting water sit out will not remove any ammonia,as far as I know.And as far as boiling it,I'm not sure about that one at all.

COBettaCouple

Welcome to Fishlore.

I'd use Prime to treat the water and do 50% daily water changes.

volon287

Where do I get Bio-Spira, I cannot find it at any local stores? Is there a similar product that may be more readily available?

jdhef

Possibly Tetra safew Start, which is a new version of BioSpira, which unlike BioSpira does not need to be refridgerated.