2.0 ppm ammonia and 5.0 ppm nitrate

I have a beautiful double tail betta fish in a 10 gallon tank and today I decided to test the water and it came out that it has 2.0 ppm of ammonia and 5.0 ppm of nitrates!! But 0 ppm of nitrites I just pour prime in it so it’s not too harmful for my fish but I’m scared that it can kill my fish what should I do

 

I have a beautiful double tail betta fish in a 10 gallon tank and today I decided to test the water and it came out that it has 2.0 ppm of ammonia and 5.0 ppm of nitrates!! But 0 ppm of nitrites I just pour prime in it so it’s not too harmful for my fish but I’m scared that it can kill my fish what should I do

I’d suggest you do a large water change to get the ammonia level below 0.50.

How long has the tank been running? Have you tested your tap water for nitrates?

 

I’d suggest you do a large water change to get the ammonia level below 0.50.

How long has the tank been running? Have you tested your tap water for nitrates?

The tank has been running since October of last year. No I have not but I’m going to test it right now and I’ll attach the picture

 

The tank has been running since October of last year. No I have not but I’m going to test it right now and I’ll attach the picture

You’re sure your test results are accurate?

If they are, was your tank fully cycled at one point? Have you changed anything in the tank recently or cleaned the tank and/or the filter.

 

You’re sure your test results are accurate?

If they are, was your tank fully cycled at one point? Have you changed anything in the tank recently or cleaned the tank and/or the filter.

I think so, and yes it’s been cycled since December. I did a 20% water change 2 days ago and I didn’t move any of the decor. But today I found a dead roach floating in the tank and I removed ASAP

 

I think so, and yes it’s been cycled since December. I did a 20% water change 2 days ago and I didn’t move any of the decor. But today I found a dead roach floating in the tank and I removed ASAP

What about a filter? Do you have one on the tank? If so, have you cleaned it recently or changed anything?

 

What about a filter? Do you have one on the tank? If so, have you cleaned it recently or changed anything?

Yes I have a hang on the back filter and I just rinsed it with the water that I took out of the tank

 

I’m not seeing anything that would have caused your cycle to crash. How often had you been doing water changes?

As I suggested, I’d do a large water change to get the ammonia level down. Prime is only effective up to a combined level of ammonia and nitrites of 1.0 ppm.

Although some folks would suggest double or triple dosing Prime for higher ammonia levels, I don’t think anything is as effective as a water change.

I’d also suggest that you keep testing and, if necessary, doing water changes daily for the next couple days.

 

I’m not seeing anything that would have caused your cycle to crash. How often had you been doing water changes?

As I suggested, I’d do a large water change to get the ammonia level down. Prime is only effective up to a combined level of ammonia and nitrites of 1.0 ppm.

Although some folks would suggest double or triple dosing Prime for higher ammonia levels, I don’t think anything is as effective as a water change.

I’d also suggest that you keep testing and, if necessary, doing water changes daily for the next couple days.

I’m doing a 100% water change right now and if I still have ammonia the next couple of days how much water should I change?

 

I’m doing a 100% water change right now and if I still have ammonia the next couple of days how much water should I change?

I don’t think a 100% change is necessary. I’d probably do 75%.

After this change, water changes should be done to keep ammonia levels below 0.50 ppm and preferably 0.25 ppm. So if your ammonia level is 1.0 ppm, changing 50% should bring it down to 0.50 ppm.

Make sense?

 

I don’t think a 100% change is necessary. I’d probably do 75%.

After this change, water changes should be done to keep ammonia levels below 0.50 ppm and preferably 0.25 ppm. So if your ammonia level is 1.0 ppm, changing 50% should bring it down to 0.50 ppm.

Make sense?

Yeah Thank You!!

 

Yeah Thank You!!

You’re welcome. Post an update here tomorrow.

 

You’re welcome. Post an update here tomorrow.

I will !