xathine

So the other night I had 2 of my 3 fish die in my tiny 10g tank.

Only thing left is my rainbow shark and I'm hoping he can survive a few more weeks untill my bigger tank is setup.

Here are my tanks readings from my API test kit:
pH: 8.4
ammonia: 0 PPM
nitrite: 2.0
nitrate: 10

The tank was fully cycled before I put any fish in. I was doing a 15% water change every week and gravel vac'ing 1/2 the tank every 2 weeks.

Last night after the fish died I did a 20% water change, and today after taking those readings I did a 50% water change.

What should I do to get these readings to a suitable level?

Shaina

Keep doing daily partial water changes.

If you get ammonia again, several water conditioners also neutralize ammonia (Prime, Stress Coat (I think)).

My guess is that you added either too many too quickly or too big of fish for the existing bacteria colonies to handle or you somehow lost your cycle, but without knowing more it's hard to say.

xathine

Thanks for the input.

I plan on doing a 2 gallon water change daily.

I know I need to get my PH around 7, and ammonia to stay at 0.

But what should my nitrites and nitrates be at?

aquarist48

Xathine...I suggest doing 30 to 50% daily water changes. Add some Prime or Amquel + with each water change. These two chemicals will detoxify the ammonia (Amquel will detox nitrites as well) and turn it into ammonium for a 24 hour period until it's time for the next water change. They will not delay the cycle or harm it. Ammonium is not toxic as ammonia is. Even though you add the chemical (either one) you will still get readings of ammonia but it won't be toxic.
Once you get 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites and 5-10 nitrates your tank is cycled.
Best of luck!

MarkWVU02

From what I've read getting your nitrite and ammonia to zero out is much more important then pH. My pH is 7.8 and my fish never seemed to mind. Do some water changes and test and eventually everything will work out.

xathine

Okay cool thanks guys!

xathine

Day two:

PH: 8.4
Ammonia: 0
Nitrates: 5
Nitrites: .25