High Ammonia and Nitrites

Hi, I recently got a api master test kit to test my water and realized that ammonia and nitrite were high (Ammonia is at 1 and nitrite after water change went down to .50). I have done one 25 percent water change and added ammo lock to try to protect the fish that are in there. I just want to know what would be the best next step to help the problem before my fish die. Also how long do I have to fix this before my fish and snails die? I am really worried about them dying.

 

Your fish won't drop dead from the ammonia and nitrites, just make sure you do your water changes. If you fish have ammonia burn, that's another danger, but right now, do you water changes, and keep calm.

May I ask what your stocking is? Also how did you cycle your tank if you just got an API master kit?

 

Your fish won't drop dead from the ammonia and nitrites, just make sure you do your water changes. If you fish have ammonia burn, that's another danger, but right now, do you water changes, and keep calm.

May I ask what your stocking is? Also how did you cycle your tank if you just got an API master kit?

I have 5 cardinal tetras and a few mystery snails right now. I got the water tested at a local fish store since all the test kits were out of stock until recently.

 

Thanks for the quick answer! What size tank is it? I just suggest to do daily water changes until the ammonia goes down. Good luck!

 

First, stop adding ammo-lock. Bacteria can't eat locked up ammonia so it will just continue to rise. The very best thing you can do is get and keep the ammonia and nitrites down with water changes even if that means doing a water change every day. Since the ammonia plus nitrites is well above 1 change out half the water in this tank to get them down to safer levels.

If you don't already have it get a bottle of Seachem Prime. It is first and foremost a water conditioner but goes one step farther and detoxes low levels of ammonia. Try to keep the ammonia plus nitrites below one and add enough Prime to treat all the water in this tank.

 

I have 5 cardinal tetras and a few mystery snails right now. I got the water tested at a local fish store since all the test kits were out of stock until recently.

It's a 10 gallon. What percentage should I change each day? Should I keep adding ammo lock every 2 days?

 

Prime isn't going to lock up or remove the ammonia. It will still show up in your test tube but it will be in a safer form.

 

Prime isn't going to lock up or remove the ammonia. It will still show up in your test tube but it will be in a safer form.

I know but is it a good idea to add it to protect the fish?

 

I know but is it a good idea to add it to protect the fish?

I think you may have missed my original post. I think we were typing at the same time. It seems my post got chopped into 2 separate posts.

 

I think you may have missed my original post. I think we were typing at the same time. It seems my post got chopped into 2 separate posts.

I did. Thank you so much for the helpful information!!

 

You are so very welcome

Ammo-lock does have its place but never while doing a fish in cycle. The only time I can see a need for it is if one has an ammonia spike and can't get to a water change right then. Locking the ammonia up for a few hours can help protect the fish until the water change can be done.

Adding Prime with each water change should help protect your fish until this cycle is complete.

 

Hello guys so I got a betta and 2 African dwarf frogs a couple weeks ago. I didn’t know what the nitrogen cycle was and I already had them so I had to do fish in cycle. I’ve been doing a quarter water changes 2 times a week and used API QuickStart. I tested today my ammonia is 0.50 and my nitrite is 2.0. that’s bad!! But they all seem to be thriving eating, and active. Any more tips on how to lower these?

 

Hello guys so I got a betta and 2 African dwarf frogs a couple weeks ago. I didn’t know what the nitrogen cycle was and I already had them so I had to do fish in cycle. I’ve been doing a quarter water changes 2 times a week and used API QuickStart. I tested today my ammonia is 0.50 and my nitrite is 2.0. that’s bad!! But they all seem to be thriving eating, and active. Any more tips on how to lower these?

Keep doing what you're doing. It will go away on its own.
If it ain't broke...don't "fix" it.

 

Keep doing what you're doing. It will go away on its own.

Ok thanks!

 

Ok thanks!

I mean....i guess you could throw in an extra water change for the week. It will only help.

 

Hello guys so I got a betta and 2 African dwarf frogs a couple weeks ago. I didn’t know what the nitrogen cycle was and I already had them so I had to do fish in cycle. I’ve been doing a quarter water changes 2 times a week and used API QuickStart. I tested today my ammonia is 0.50 and my nitrite is 2.0. that’s bad!! But they all seem to be thriving eating, and active. Any more tips on how to lower these?

Assuming your test results are accurate, I don’t think you should keep doing what you’re doing.

Until a tank is fully cycled, which typically takes 4 - 6 weeks, the ammonia and nitrites won’t go away on their own. . . Only water changes (maybe daily depending on your test results) will accomplish that.

Couple simple questions to start. . ,
What are you using to test?
What is your pH?

 

Assuming your test results are accurate, I don’t think you should keep doing what you’re doing.

Until a tank is fully cycled, which typically takes 4 - 6 weeks, the ammonia and nitrites won’t go away on their own. . . Only water changes (maybe daily depending on your test results) will accomplish that.

Couple simple questions to start. . ,
What are you using to test?
What is your pH?

I’m using the freshwater master test kit and my PH is 7.4

 

Are you using a dechlorinator along with the quick start?

 

Are you using a dechlorinator along with the quick start?

Yes of course

 

I’m using the freshwater master test kit and my PH is 7.4

API Master Test kit I assume?

Here’s my suggestion. . . Test daily and do water changes (possibly daily) to keep the combined level of ammonia and nitrites at or below 0.50 ppm.

I’d guess the answer is no, but I’ll ask anyway. . . Do you have any nitrates?

 

API Master Test kit I assume?

Here’s my suggestion. . . Test daily and do water changes (possibly daily) to keep the combined level of ammonia and nitrites at or below 0.50 ppm.

I’d guess the answer is no, but I’ll ask anyway. . . Do you have any nitrates?

Yes the API one. Testing nitrates now

 

Yes the API one. Actually I did just test nitrates and it’s 20 PPM

Well......How did that happen?

 

Sorry, now I’m confused. . . Are you just now testing nitrates or you tested and it’s 20 ppm?

Make sure you read the instructions for the nitrate test carefully.

 

Well......How did that happen?

Sorry, now I’m confused. . . Are you just now testing nitrates or you tested and it’s 20 ppm?

Yes it’s 20 sorry

Yes it’s 20 sorry

Can that happen from dead plants?

 

Yes it’s 20 sorry

Can that happen from dead plants?

Not a problem. So I’m clear, ammonia is 0.50, nitrite is 2.0 and nitrate is 20?

Did you follow the instructions for the nitrate test very carefully? Shake the bottles and test vial until your arm hurts?

How long has your tank been running with the fish and frogs in it? You said a couple weeks, but exactly how long?

Have you tested your tap water for nitrates?

 

Not a problem. So I’m clear, ammonia is 0.50, nitrite is 2.0 and nitrate is 20?

Did you follow the instructions for the nitrate test very carefully? Shake the bottles and test vial until your arm hurts?

How long has your tank been running with the fish and frogs in it? You said a couple weeks, but exactly how long?

Have you tested your tap water for nitrates?

Yes that’s the results. I did follow the instructions carefully and my arm hurt. I’ve actually only had this tank for a week (I’ve had them for 2 but moved to a new tank a week ago) no I have not tested my tap water, should i?

 

Yes that’s the results. I did follow the instructions carefully and my arm hurt. I’ve actually only had this tank for a week (I’ve had them for 2 but moved to a new tank a week ago) no I have not tested my tap water, should i?

Test your tap for everything. You need to know what comes out of your faucet.

 

Yes that’s the results. I did follow the instructions carefully and my arm hurt. I’ve actually only had this tank for a week (I’ve had them for 2 but moved to a new tank a week ago) no I have not tested my tap water, should i?

Unless you used filter media from a fully cycled tank in the tank that’s only been running a week, you shouldn‘t be showing nitrates yet. So yes, I’d suggest testing your tap water and even doing the nitrate test again on your tank.

And let’s not forget about the water changes to reduce the combined level of ammonia and nitrites.