New Tank Syndrome & Ammonia???

Hi guys!
I’m experiencing a very high ammonia spike in my 5.5 gallon quarantine tank. I have four baby African cichlids hanging out; 2 Mbuna, 2 peacock all are 1-1.25 inches. I think this happened because I do water changes too frequently and now I’m at a loss. This tank has been running for at least 1 1/2-2 months and hasn’t done this before. Last I checked my ammonia, it was at 4.0ppm. (I’ve NEVER had ammonia this high) Because it was so bad, I did a 30% water change this morning. I also added API ammo chips in my filter. (I really didn’t want to but I need to safeguard my fish for now) That being said, I don’t think my ammo chips are working correctly because my cichlids are starting to gasp at the top of my tank. Under normal circumstances, I’d do more water changes but I’m afraid to. I’m going to buy nitra zorb later on today and add that to my filter while keeping the ammo chips in. My hope is that the nitra zorb will balance out my tank while the ammo chips keep my fish safe. Once I’m between 0 and .25ppm, I plant to take the ammo chips out. Any suggestions or advice would be most appreciated.
Thanks in advance!!!

 

Can you add seeded material from your other tank or do you think the ammonia will kill that bacteria too?

 

Can you add seeded material from your other tank or do you think the ammonia will kill that bacteria too?

I’m scared the ammonia will kill whatever I put in the tank. The rocks and sand hasn’t been changed all that much so they’re still covered in good bacteria. I’m just kind of at a loss. The only thing I can think of is the nitra zorb.

 

I've never used it so I don't know if it would help.

 

Did you quarantine fish in it previously? How did you cycle it?
I wouldn’t depend on filter additives to bring down the ammonia. I would be doing a few large water changes.
Just make sure your tap and tank ph and GH are similar. You don’t want to bring down the ammonia only to kill the fish by ph or osmotic shock.

 

I would do a 90% water change a.s.a.p and get some prime to safe guard the fish

 

Did you quarantine fish in it previously? How did you cycle it?
I wouldn’t depend on filter additives to bring down the ammonia. I would be doing a few large water changes.
Just make sure your tap and tank ph and GH are similar. You don’t want to bring down the ammonia only to kill the fish by ph or osmotic shock.

It’s always been my quarantine tank so yes, just about all of my fish have passed through that tank at some point or another. And to be honest, I didn’t know anything about cycling a tank when I first set up my tanks. I got lucky and it cycled on it’s own with time. My tap water is hard with a consistent 7.6 and 0ppm nitrates. I do not know what my Gh is and I don’t have the tester for it. I had my water tested Monday and they told me all my levels were good so I’m guessing the Gh is okay. I’m not going to depend on the additives, I’m just trying to keep my guys alive. It’s late by me so I can’t do a big water change until Tomorrow AM. I’m just hopping the Nitra Zorb and fresh ammo chips will tide them over until morning.

 

Hi guys!
I’m experiencing a very high ammonia spike in my 5.5 gallon quarantine tank. I have four baby African cichlids hanging out; 2 Mbuna, 2 peacock all are 1-1.25 inches. I think this happened because I do water changes too frequently and now I’m at a loss. This tank has been running for at least 1 1/2-2 months and hasn’t done this before. Last I checked my ammonia, it was at 4.0ppm. (I’ve NEVER had ammonia this high) Because it was so bad, I did a 30% water change this morning. I also added API ammo chips in my filter. (I really didn’t want to but I need to safeguard my fish for now) That being said, I don’t think my ammo chips are working correctly because my cichlids are starting to gasp at the top of my tank. Under normal circumstances, I’d do more water changes but I’m afraid to. I’m going to buy nitra zorb later on today and add that to my filter while keeping the ammo chips in. My hope is that the nitra zorb will balance out my tank while the ammo chips keep my fish safe. Once I’m between 0 and .25ppm, I plant to take the ammo chips out. Any suggestions or advice would be most appreciated.
Thanks in advance!!!

Unless you accidentally put water in there without first removing the chlorine with your water conditioner the water changes did not cause your ammonia to spike. If I were you I wouldn't be adding anything to remove the ammonia. I would be doing big water changes to remove it. I would get the ammonia level down as low as possible (0 would be the goal) and I would be using Prime to detox the ammonia as the fish are producing it.

Even if it took doing big water changes daily I would be doing them to keep the ammonia down to no more the .25. I would changing out 50 to 75% of the water every day. As long as you dechlorinate and temp match the water you are replacing water changes can only help protect your fish by keeping the ammonia as low as possible.

If you can't do the water change now I can only hope the ammonia hasn't done too much damage between now and when you can take care if it.

 

Unless you accidentally put water in there without first removing the chlorine with your water conditioner the water changes did not cause your ammonia to spike. If I were you I wouldn't be adding anything to remove the ammonia. I would be doing big water changes to remove it. I would get the ammonia level down as low as possible (0 would be the goal) and I would be using Prime to detox the ammonia as the fish are producing it.

Even if it took doing big water changes daily I would be doing them to keep the ammonia down to no more the .25. I would changing out 50 to 75% of the water every day. As long as you dechlorinate and temp match the water you are replacing water changes can only help protect your fish by keeping the ammonia as low as possible.

If you can't do the water change now I can only hope the ammonia hasn't done too much damage between now and when you can take care if it.

I’m considering putting them in separate isolations booths and sticking them in my 10 gallon. That tank has been up and running since January and is defiantly cycled. Currently, it houses a baby Oscar and a juvenile blood parrot. Think I can get away with that for the night? If it were just me home, I’d be happily doing a water change at 11pm but I have other people to worry about. I also have a 15 gallon I just set up but it’s been instant cycled. Outside of the tank itself and the gravel, everything else has been with those fish a while.

Unless you accidentally put water in there without first removing the chlorine with your water conditioner the water changes did not cause your ammonia to spike. If I were you I wouldn't be adding anything to remove the ammonia. I would be doing big water changes to remove it. I would get the ammonia level down as low as possible (0 would be the goal) and I would be using Prime to detox the ammonia as the fish are producing it.

Even if it took doing big water changes daily I would be doing them to keep the ammonia down to no more the .25. I would changing out 50 to 75% of the water every day. As long as you dechlorinate and temp match the water you are replacing water changes can only help protect your fish by keeping the ammonia as low as possible.

If you can't do the water change now I can only hope the ammonia hasn't done too much damage between now and when you can take care if it.

oh and I defiantly put enough water conditioner. I use the API stress coat with tap conditioner and I alway use about 5mL (5mL can treat 10 gallons) when doing water changes. Even if it’s only a small amount. I like to be cautious.

 

I hope your little guys are alright this morning. Is there any way you can get some media from your other tanks to help with this little tank?

 

I hope your little guys are alright this morning. Is there any way you can get some media from your other tanks to help with this little tank?

My guys are ok! ^^ After going back and forth for a while, I let them camp out in my 10 gallon with my Oscar and Blood parrot (they were not happy campers about it lol). They were in isolation booths, don’t worry lol
This morning, I did a little of everything. Since I had emptied the tank, I decided to add some API Nitra zorb (I cut the bag open and used about 1/4 cup); that was about 7 o’clock last night. At that point, I pulled the ammo chips completely. This morning, I did a 90% water change and add a chunk of sponge filter from my bigger tank and a few bio balls from my most consistent tank. The sponge hadn’t been in my big tank longer than a week but it’s something. I then let the 5 gal run while empty for about an hour before reintroducing my fish to the tank. The ammonia was still a little elevated (.25ppm) But, I know that was from me evening out the sand and fixing the rocks. Plus, it’s leaps and bounds better than an emerald city 4.0 ppm.

 

I am so happy to hear this. .25 is doable, 4.0 is scary high. I am so glad you were able to get it down and them into a safer home.

I have to apologise for sounding a bit harsh last night. There is no excuse for being rude and I feel I was. I was just afraid for your little guys. Hopefully you understand where I was coming from.