Ammonia in 10 gallon tank

Hello I am relatively new to the fish keeping hobby and have a few questions, I got my 10 gallon tank around 4-6 weeks ago and put fish in it right away, I didn't know that the tank had to go threw a cycle before it was safe to put fish in. During that time the nitrate and ammonia levels where up and down like it is supposed to. Now after the tank has cycled itself I still have really bad ammonia in the tank 4.0ppm nh3 and nh4. The nitrate levels are fine and everything is is pretty normal but the ammonia is just really high.

5 neon tetra
3 flame tetra
2 Cory catfish
Aqueon quite flow 20 filter
No plants

Some of the fish act pretty normal like the neon and the flames but the corys will often come up to the surface and gulp for air. Pls tell me if there is anything I can get or anything that I can do differently ro help the fish

 

I would do water changes and dose with Prime to get your ammonia under control first. What were your exact nitrite and nitrate readings?

 

if it makes you feel any better corys normally do gulp for air

 

Ok, I suggest rehoming all the fish. It's way overstocked, this is probably why the ammonia is so high. Do daily 50-70% waterchanges. What are your other readings?

 

If you have ammonia and nitrites then your tank isn't cycled. A cycled tank will have zero ammonia and zero nitrites and a some nitrAtes. What is your nitrate reading?

I agree with Platylover though, your tank is badly overstocked. You probably won't be able to fix the cycle problems in your 10 gallon so you either need to take the fish back or get a bigger tank. A 20 gallon long minimum I think would do but bigger is always better!

What kind of cory did you get? They need to be in groups of 6 or more, as do your tetras, so you'll need more room to be able to house them properly anyway.

Welcome to the forum! Don't give up yet. I know it seems like nothing has gone right for your first fish experience but most of us have been through this and it can work out ok

 

As quickly as possible you need to do massive water changes. At ammonia levels of 4.0 ppm they are suffering. Even though you haven't lost any fish yet, they won't survive long with those levels.
I would do several back-to-back 50% water changes. What are you using for water conditioner? Some products will detoxify ammonia but only if ammonia is below 1.0 ppm. Seachem Prime is what a lot of people on this forum use. At levels below 1.0 ppm Prime will detoxify the ammonia so it isn't toxic to fish, but it will only do it for 24 hours.
If you can get Prime do water changes (using water conditioner)to get ammonia below 1.0 ppm and then dose additional Prime to detoxify the ammonia. In emergency situations you can dose to 5x the recommended amount for 10 gallons. I think it would be a whole capful.
If you can't get a product like Prime that detoxifies ammonia I would do a series of water changes to get ammonia under .25 ppm. Be prepared for daily water changes and water testing till we can get your tank cycled.
You will need to do a fish-in cycling of your tank to make it safe for your fish. I've only done fish less cycling so hopefully others will respond and walk you through that process.
We will also need to know your actual nitrite and nitrate numbers to assist you with cycling the tank.
Good luck. Most of us here have been through something like this when starting in the hobby. There are more experienced fish keepers that can help but we first have to get your ammonia levels under control with water changes.

 

Something I forgot to ask, what is your pH Dklepor?

 

How many fish were in the tank when you initially cycled? Only enough bacteria to sustain the bioload of the tank will be present, adding new fish will result in more bacteria needing to populate the tank, resulting in another minI cycle.

The cories do that normally. Check for red or inflamed gills. Cories probably 3-4 minimum I would say. I don't you are overstocked right now, since the fish take up different levels of the water column, you will have to watch your ammonia though. try not to feed them too much.

 

How many fish were in the tank when you initially cycled? Only enough bacteria to sustain the bioload of the tank will be present, adding new fish will result in more bacteria needing to populate the tank, resulting in another minI cycle.

The cories do that normally. Check for red or inflamed gills. Cories probably 3-4 minimum I would say. I don't you are overstocked right now, since the fish take up different levels of the water column, you will have to watch your ammonia though. try not to feed them too much.

No offence, but his stock would need a 20g. Cories need a minimum group of 5, same with the rest. In a ten gallon, there would be a max of 3 platies, or 5 guppies if that gives you any idea.

 

I don't know of any evidence stating cories need to be in groups of 5. I mean sure, I'm sure that they would like it, but it is much more important for a tank to be properly stocked and not crowded than for there to be a heavy school. I've seen anything from 2-6 being acceptable. They can do fine alone, but prefer company. It's no different from humans in my opinion.

 

I don't know of any evidence stating cories need to be in groups of 5. I mean sure, I'm sure that they would like it, but it is much more important for a tank to be properly stocked and not crowded than for there to be a heavy school. I've seen anything from 2-6 being acceptable. They can do fine alone, but prefer company. It's no different from humans in my opinion.

Even if there were only 3 cories in, it would still be way overstocked with the other fish. Most reputable places say they need 4-6, in most opinions here they need at least 6. I say 5. So it wouldn't be over stocked with ten tetras and 3 cory cats in your opinion? In mine that is way over the limit. I don't agree with that link at all, seems like IMO an inexperienced person wrote that. I do respect your opinion though, every one has one.

 

I see as what they "need" and "should have" are different, and need to be properly categorized. From my own cories, I've had a range between 1-5 cories. I see similar behavior from 3-5, a slight drop in 2, and with 1 he seemed a little more secluded, but remained healthy.

Ehh, there are many factors that I can't determine so I won't say its a fair stock. It's slightly over in some cases. The thing is that typical stocking requirements are based on all the fish inhabiting the same water level. With cories, the water space requirement becomes obsolete. The only problem in this case is perpetuating ammonia problems. This can be recovered through a better filter, water changes, plants, a better cycle, and feeding less. All these factors contribute to ammonia-nitrate levels, and without being the owner of the aquarium, I cannot determine how he is managing all these factors.

 

Ok, so I am by no means a cory expert, so let me call on one. Coradee, how many of cories of one species there be and what size tank? The ammonia problems might go away, but you'd still have problems from the overstocking. Plants wouldn't help with ammonia, they only help with nitrates. By the way, when I use need and should be, to me they are the same thing. Because they need this number, so there should be this number.

 

I wouldn't recommend any corys in a 10 gallon, as a shoaling fish they need to be kept in numbers to see the best of them & a 10 gallon doesn't have the footprint for them. Dklepor I'd suggest doing at least a 50% water change followed by another one, that should theoretically bring your ammonia level down to 1ppm which is still high but if you use Prime then that will at least reduce the toxicity.
If you can rehome some fish then I'd suggest rehoming the corys or look to upgrade if possible.

 

Thank you guys for the input, where could I find a replacement home for them I don't have any other friends that have fish tanks

 

Thank you guys for the input, where could I find a replacement home for them I don't have any other friends that have fish tanks

You could check fish stores around you and see if they'll take them. You can also try on here in the buy/sell/trade section if you have 50 posts. Also you could try EBay.

 

The exact nitrite level is is .25 ppm and the exact nitrate is 0

 

The exact nitrite level is is .25 ppm and the exact nitrate is 0

Well then your tank isn't cycled... Do you know the nitrogen cycle?

 

Something I forgot to ask, what is your pH @?

Around 7

I see as what they "need" and "should have" are different, and need to be properly categorized. From my own cories, I've had a range between 1-5 cories. I see similar behavior from 3-5, a slight drop in 2, and with 1 he seemed a little more secluded, but remained healthy.

Ehh, there are many factors that I can't determine so I won't say its a fair stock. It's slightly over in some cases. The thing is that typical stocking requirements are based on all the fish inhabiting the same water level. With cories, the water space requirement becomes obsolete. The only problem in this case is perpetuating ammonia problems. This can be recovered through a better filter, water changes, plants, a better cycle, and feeding less. All these factors contribute to ammonia-nitrate levels, and without being the owner of the aquarium, I cannot determine how he is managing all these factors.

I only feed my fish one time a day I thought by getting the Aqueon quite flow 20 would be enough for the fish, what else should I do to help this

Well then your tank isn't cycled... Do you know the nitrogen cycle?

No at the time of starting this I didn't really know what that meant, how do I know and fix that

 

No at the time of starting this I didn't really know what that meant, how do I know and fix that

There's a link on here about it. You can try getting some bottled bacteria. Otherwise you'll have to do a fish in cycle.

 

There's a link on here about it. You can try getting some bottled bacteria. Otherwise you'll have to do a fish in cycle.

I looked into getting good bacteria for my tank but couldn't find a place Ethan sold it, where could I find some?

 

I looked into getting good bacteria for my tank but couldn't find a place Ethan sold it, where could I find some?

Ethan? Most pet stores should carry it. I use marine land, but many use Tetra Safe Start.

 

If you have ammonia and nitrites then your tank isn't cycled. A cycled tank will have zero ammonia and zero nitrites and a some nitrAtes. What is your nitrate reading?

I agree with @Platylover though, your tank is badly overstocked. You probably won't be able to fix the cycle problems in your 10 gallon so you either need to take the fish back or get a bigger tank. A 20 gallon long minimum I think would do but bigger is always better!

What kind of cory did you get? They need to be in groups of 6 or more, as do your tetras, so you'll need more room to be able to house them properly anyway.

Welcome to the forum! Don't give up yet. I know it seems like nothing has gone right for your first fish experience but most of us have been through this and it can work out ok

If I move all of the fish out does that mean I have to get them another home and how long does it take to cycle the tank so it is healthy for the fish

Ethan? Most pet stores should carry it. I use marine land, but many use Tetra Safe Start.

Sorry that was a typo, I also saw that I might have to get rid of my fish to do a cycle, how long would the cycle take and would I have to do anything for the tank to help it through the cycle, and do you think my tank is overpopulated?

 

Sorry that was a typo, I also saw that I might have to get rid of my fish to do a cycle, how long would the cycle take and would I have to do anything for the tank to help it through the cycle, and do you think my tank is overpopulated?

You can do a fish in cycle, but seriously don't recommend it since(explain in a sec) your tank is overstocked. A regular cycle with no fish or bacteria it's around a month. All your fish need at least 5+, you could have all of them in a 20 gallon having 10 fish in a ten gallon is to much(few exceptions).

 

You can do a fish in cycle, but seriously don't recommend it since(explain in a sec) your tank is overstocked. A regular cycle with no fish or bacteria it's around a month. All your fish need at least 5+, you could have all of them in a 20 gallon having 10 fish in a ten gallon is to much(few exceptions).

I am going to get rid of my cories tomorrow should I get rid of any other ones and put new ones in

 

I am going to get rid of my cories tomorrow should I get rid of any other ones and put new ones in

If you aren't upgrading to a bigger tank, then you need to give away all of them.

 

If you aren't upgrading to a bigger tank, then you need to give away all of them.

Then should I start over from scratch, also replacing water or just take them out and wait for how long

If you aren't upgrading to a bigger tank, then you need to give away all of them.

And shoukd I get plants

 

I wouldn't replace the water as you already have a cycle going and everything should clear up. If basically just remove your fish and keep everything else. Plants would be great! They can help keep nitrates down and that would be great.

 

I wouldn't replace the water as you already have a cycle going and everything should clear up. If basically just remove your fish and keep everything else. Plants would be great! They can help keep nitrates down and that would be great.

So remove all of the fish and wait a month to get new ones

 

So remove all of the fish and wait a month to get new ones

Yes, remove the fish, but I don't know how long the cycle will take. It usually takes a month. Do you have a liquid test kit?

 

Yes, remove the fish, but I don't know how long the cycle will take. It usually takes a month. Do you have a liquid test kit?

Yes I do its the apI master kit

Yes, remove the fish, but I don't know how long the cycle will take. It usually takes a month. Do you have a liquid test kit?

What fish do you recommend after I cycle, or do I do a cycle with fish, I don't know how to do a fishless cycle

 

You'll need to test every day while cycling. There's a whole thread on ten gallon stocking here, but I don't know where it is. I suggest these-
3 platy
5 guppies
6-8 Celestial pearl danios
6-8 ember tetras
Shell dwelling cichlid
These all(minus the cichlid) will work with shrimp and snails. So I suggest Ammano shrimp or snails as well. But you can have different types of shrimp as well. Just make sure you ask on here to make sure your stock is appropriate.

 

I was looking into getting some shrimp for the new tank, so after I give away the fish I just have to test the water for nitrate nitrite and ammonia levels until it is safe, is 0 where I want all those level to be?

You'll need to test every day while cycling. There's a whole thread on ten gallon stocking here, but I don't know where it is. I suggest these-
3 platy
5 guppies
6-8 Celestial pearl danios
6-8 ember tetras
Shell dwelling cichlid
These all(minus the cichlid) will work with shrimp and snails. So I suggest Ammano shrimp or snails as well. But you can have different types of shrimp as well. Just make sure you ask on here to make sure your stock is appropriate.

What methods can I use to cycle my rank without any fish, or do I leave it alone

 

You'll want the ammonia and nitrite to be zero and nitrate to be low(under 20ppm). I'm pretty sure you add fish food, but your ammonia is already so high, I'd leave it alone. Have you read the nitrogen cycle on here?

 

You'll want the ammonia and nitrite to be zero and nitrate to be low(under 20ppm). I'm pretty sure you add fish food, but your ammonia is already so high, I'd leave it alone. Have you read the nitrogen cycle on here?

I've read it on other sights and thought that I had a good grasp on it. It is the converting of ammonium to nitrate and so on and so forth. Correct me if I am wrong, do I put food in the tank just like I was feeding them every day?

 

I've read it on other sights and thought that I had a good grasp on it. It is the converting of ammonium to nitrate and so on and so forth. Correct me if I am wrong, do I put food in the tank just like I was feeding them every day?

It's been such a long time since I've done a traditional cycle, that there will be others that are more helpful. But ammonia turns into nitrites and nitrites turn into nitrates. I wouldn't put any food in, your ammonia is so high that you probably will not need it. Maybe out in only a flake or two every other day.

 

It's been such a long time since I've done a traditional cycle, that there will be others that are more helpful. But ammonia turns into nitrites and nitrites turn into nitrates. I wouldn't put any food in, your ammonia is so high that you probably will not need it. Maybe out in only a flake or two every other day.

Ok thank you so much, I'm sorry to be a bother and ask so many questions and all of that, you have saved the lives of the fish. And thank you for giving me input on the cycling of the tank and how many fish I can have in there

 

Ok thank you so much, I'm sorry to be a bother and ask so many questions and all of that, you have saved the lives of the fish. And thank you for giving me input on the cycling of the tank and how many fish I can have in there

No problem, you weren't a bother, it is great to see people wanting to take the best care of their fish.

 

Did anyone post the link to the 10 gallon stock list yet? Here it is if not: https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfishforum/threads/stocking-list-for-10-gallons.207629/

 

Aquarium plants remove both ammonia and nitrates. They actually assimilate ammonia better than nitrates, which is the opposite to terrestrial plants. Studies have been done by Diana Walstad that prove this..