High ammonia

[NayNay]

I have been dealing with this issue for almost 2 weeks now. The amonnia is still at 8. I've tried everything had some great advice but still no luck. I've now lost half of my fish so would it be best to just remove the fish and do a 90% water change?

 

[flopperfrog]

perhaps its your substrate? yeah id say do the water change, get the ammonia down as much as possible

 

[NayNay]

perhaps its your substrate? yeah id say do the water change, get the ammonia down as much as possible

All I know for sure is I cleaned it about a month ago and lost my cycle. Then my daughter way over fed them without me knowing for a few days and now I've been battling the ammo is levels for the past 2 weeks. I figured that the big water change was my last hope but wasn't sure of it would be best.

 

[Dunk2]

All I know for sure is I cleaned it about a month ago and lost my cycle. Then my daughter way over fed them without me knowing for a few days and now I've been battling the ammo is levels for the past 2 weeks. I figured that the big water change was my last hope but wasn't sure of it would be best.

A large water change is necessary, but I’m not sure why your original post mentioned removing the fish?

If it’s only because you’re doing I water change, I wouldn’t recommend removing the fish.

Temperature match the new water to the tank water and use a dechlorinator (I’d suggest Seachem Prime).

 

[NayNay]

A large water change is necessary, but I’m not sure why your original post mentioned removing the fish?

If it’s only because you’re doing I water change, I wouldn’t recommend removing the fish.

Temperature match the new water to the tank water and use a dechlorinator (I’d suggest Seachem Prime).

I had planned on removing almost all of the water and thought they wouldn't have enough room to swim for the 20 or so it takes me to get more water back into the tank. Also I have fry that could get sucked up by the gravel vac. Should I leave the adults and just remove the fry?

 

[Dunk2]

I had planned on removing almost all of the water and thought they wouldn't have enough room to swim for the 20 or so it takes me to get more water back into the tank. Also I have fry that could get sucked up by the gravel vac. Should I leave the adults and just remove the fry?

I’d actually suggest leaving all the fish in the tank. Do you have a stocking or something similar to put on your gravel vac to prevent the fry from getting sucked up?

 

[NayNay]

I’d actually suggest leaving all the fish in the tank. Do you have a stocking or something similar to put on your gravel vac to prevent the fry from getting sucked up?

Sadly I do not. I have an old shirt I can cut if that would work and still remove the debris?

 

[Dunk2]

Sadly I do not. I have an old shirt I can cut if that would work and still remove the debris?

So you still have food from the over feeding in your tank? If so, you’ll need to get that out so putting something over your vac probably isn’t an option.

Can you just be extra careful with the fry? Your call, I’m just never a fan of removing fish for a water change.

 

[NayNay]

So you still have food from the over feeding in your tank? If so, you’ll need to get that out so putting something over your vac probably isn’t an option.

Can you just be extra careful with the fry? Your call, I’m just never a fan of removing fish for a water change.

I usually don't remove them for water changes either, just when there are fry and a gravel vac involved. I normally us a measuring glass and a bucket and do my water changes the hard way. I've been using the net to grab the debris but I'm afraid that since my ammonia won't come down that it has gotten into the gravel a bit. But I also don't want to harm the fish anymore than I have to that's why I reached out for help.

 

[Dunk2]

Yep, you definitely need a gravel vac.

If you don’t think you can avoid the fry, take them out for the change. Getting them out could be as challenging as avoiding them for the vac though.

You’d just put them in a separate container of tank water temporarily?

 

[StarGirl]

The extra food in the tank is going to keep the ammonia high until you can get it out of the gravel.

 

[NayNay]

Yep, you definitely need a gravel vac.

If you don’t think you can avoid the fry, take them out for the change. Getting them out could be as challenging as avoiding them for the vac though.

You’d just put them in a separate container of tank water temporarily?

I have the bucket I use I can put them in.

 

[Dunk2]

I have the bucket I use I can put them in.

Keep us posted. Good luck!

 

[NayNay]

Keep us posted. Good luck!

Thanks I will.

 

[FoldedCheese]

I missed your tank size, stocking and full water parameters. The only way to remove ammonia is with large WCs.

 

[NayNay]

Thanks I will.

I did the massive water change and so far everything is ok. Ammonia levels are at .50 but I am still cycling.