horsehugger092

i have 2 small oscars that i just got today and they are laying at the bottom of the tank and there is a ammonia reading of 0.03 how do i fix this fast last week 9 of my fish died if ammonia poisoming in one night help.

Lucy

Hi horsehugger welcome to Fish Lore.

You need to do daily water changes to keep your ammonia levels down until your tank is cycled. Probably 50% starting now.

What are you using to test the water?

I don't have experience with oscars, but I think they're big waste producers. They require a much larger tank than you have.

Good luck.

Shawnie

welcome to fishlore !!

the only immediate fix is water changes....of at least 50% a day until its cycled...or you can get some bio-spira which is expensive, but cycles a tank withing 24 hours...heres the link I used http://www.aquariumplants.com/Bio_Spira_s/47.htm

but for now, do a water change and treat the tap water with prime or some other water conditioner of preference......

How big is your tank?

COBettaCouple

Welcome to Fishlore. I'm sorry to hear of your fish losses and I'd second Shawnie's advice. I'd also recommend the API master freshwater kit for testing. If you don't have aeration in the tank, I'd add some to help.

horsehugger092

my oscars are only 2 inches bug and we only got them yesterday and didnt try feeding them but one pellet.we changed 50 % of the tanks water 3 times since we got it a week ago. we are using live NH3 ammonia tester and stress zyme but it hasnt changrd much. i was thinking maybee if i put my large bamboo plant in there it would help?

Shawnie

see if you can get some prime...and add that to your tap water and continue DAILY water changes of at least 50%...without that, you fish wont survive

oscars are hardy fellows, but ammonia and soon to be nitrites, are deadly...

the ammonia tester is great for just ammonia..you need as cobetta said, the master kit to test for everything ...its on sale at DFS http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...54&pcatid=4454

horsehugger092

what about bamboo?

joy613

Bamboo won't really help absorb the ammonia. Hornwort and duck weed will work but not that much. Get some prime water conditioner and use that. You might try bio sphere, make sure it is refrigerated.

Shawnie

if bamboo is kept under the water, it wil create more ammonia from rotting...as far as keeping it partially submerged, I dont know if it will help or not...daily water changes are the only sure way of getting rid of ammonia

horsehugger092

thanx