cristalrella

so i get my fish in there and now we have problems ! the ammonia levels spiked to 3.0 and the nitrites to 1.0 . . . the pH is at 8.4 . . . suggestions? i picked up some aquarium salt . . . and some ammonia stabilizer . . . and i was planning on doing a 25% water change before i added any of this. I also have water conditioner . . . any advice from you fish experts? it would be greatly appreciated!!

Lucy

Yikes, I'm sorry you're having problems.

What ammonia stabilizer did you use? Some can bind the ammonia making it unavailable to feed the bacteria.

I'd suggest doing daily water changes to get your cycle back on track.

You can use Prime as your water conditioner, this will detoxify the ammonia, but still make it available to the bacteria.

Good luck.

04_si

also whats the PH of your tap water? if its a constant 8.4 its better than it jumping all around.

I think i read somewhere that ammonia can adjust the PH of the water. maybe someone can confirm?

jdhef

I see in you aquarium info that you answer No to knowing about the nitrogen cycle. So it would probably be good to read this: http://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm.

The easiest thing for you to do right now is get some Tetra SafeStart (if you can find it) and add it to your tank. It has the benificial bacteria you need, and will cycle your tank right away.

The harder option would be to do 50% daily water changes using Prime as Lucy suggested. You will need to do these water changes until you have zero ammonia, zero nitrites and some nitrates. (This could take several weeks) At that point your tank will be fully cycled and you can just do routine partial water changes on a schedule that suits your tank.

The third option is to place some filter media (or gravel in a nylon stocking) from an established heathy tank into your tank. The bacteria in the media or gravel will really jump start your cycle and it may only take a week or so.

cristalrella

okay - i have done the water change last night and then again tonight. i added some ammonia nuetralizer and that really helped! But now tonight it is the pH . . . so i added the pH tablets. hoping that helps. so my question is- when i do a 50% water change on a 125 gallon tank, do i always add 1capful/tablespoon (whatever it calls for) per gallon in the tank? or is it just for the amount i have taken out and replaced? I am afraid that at some point i will begin overdosing the tank . . . a Pleco die today ! also, where and when does the aquarium salt fit in?

thanks for your help!!!!

Shawnie

Im sorry you lost your pleco at this point as others have said, use some prime with water changes daily ..add the amount of prime for the size of the tank...I wouldnt use ANY other meds as some fish are too sensitive for meds...salt is something that plecs cant handle well either so I wouldnt add that...just the prime and water changes until the cycle completes is great....goodluck!

cristalrella

and i did try for the safe start but could not find it anywhere . . . i found something water safe plus tank buddies - will that work the same?

jdhef

I assume (always dangerous) that by ammonia neutralizer you mean Prime. If so, I don't think you need to worry about overdosing.

Also, I would just leave the ph alone, unless it is less than 6 or over 8. Generally, fish will adapt to a steady ph. Ph fluctuations are far more deadly to fish, and by adding chemicals to alter ph, you are bound to get ph swings.

Lucy

I'm hoping it's not Ammo-Lock or one of those additives that locks the ammonia.
If it is, those products 'lock' the ammonia making it unavailable for the beneficial bacteria to feed off of.

That's why I asked what kind it was in my first post.

cristalrella

i used Aqueon Ammonia Neutralizer . . . i wasn't able to find the prime. tomorrow i will call some of the local fish store to see what they have as well. my pH levels were at 8 i really did a number in the tank! i guess this is how you learn, right!

Lucy

I'm not familiar with that, but it sounds like it might starve your bacteria. Just a guess there, don't take my word for that.

Edit: I just looked it up. It's also a water conditioner, probably much like Prime. It doesn't say it locks the ammonia, it detoxifies it. So disregard what I said about it starving the bacteria.

Yes, it sure is. We've all made our share of mistakes.