Pleco Help!

I have 2 albino bristlenose Plecos and 3 goldfish in a 50 gallon tank. I've had the two Plecos for 2 years. I did a 50% water change tonight, changed the filters, vacuumed the gravel and my smaller pleco died! I'm kind of upset about this. My other pleco is fairly large as are my goldfish. Should I worry about them? I would be devastated if I wake up and they are all dead! I wouldn't say ima a complete beginner as I've kept them alive for over 2 years now, but I'm no pro. Please help.

 

What are your water parameters? It sounds like you removed your beneficial bacteria when you replaced your filter and may have removed your cycle, thus causing an ammonia spike. Vacuuming gravel may have also released detritus or removed more beneficial bacteria from your substrate

 

I had a feeling I did too much! I'm in the process of testing. Is it too late to put my old filter back in? Just for now? These fish have survived so much, 12 hour trip in the trunk of my car in a bucket, etc. I didn't think this water change would affect them. I thought my 2 driftwood and a couple plants and a couple decor would still contain beneficial bacteria... guess I was wrong

Ammonia 1.0 ppm
Nitrate 5.0 ppm
Nitrate 0
Very high PH 7.6

I used easy balance water conditioner when I did the water change. I've used this in the past with no issue. What should my next steps be? I think I'm panicking for my other fish.

What are your water parameters? It sounds like you removed your beneficial bacteria when you replaced your filter and may have removed your cycle, thus causing an ammonia spike. Vacuuming gravel may have also released detritus or removed more beneficial bacteria from your substrate

Sorry, didn't reply to you originally.
Ammonia 1.0 ppm
Nitrate 5.0 ppm
Nitrate 0
Very high PH 7.6

I used easy balance water conditioner when I did the water change. I've used this in the past with no issue. What should my next steps be? I think I'm panicking for my other fish.

 

If you have your old filter cartridges, they’re probably useless by now unless they’re still wet. Beneficial bacteria are aquatic. You need to do a water change ASAP to get the ammonia down.

Also, driftwood and plants don’t have beneficial bacteria on them. Plants remove nitrates, but they won’t be able to convert ammonia like bacteria does.

To get your cycle back you’ll need a bacteria starter. You can buy them from pretty much any fish store

Sorry, didn't reply to you originally.
Ammonia 1.0 ppm
Nitrate 5.0 ppm
Nitrate 0
Very high PH 7.6

I used easy balance water conditioner when I did the water change. I've used this in the past with no issue. What should my next steps be? I think I'm panicking for my other fish.

Water conditioner removes chlorine chloramines and heavy metals from tap water to make it safe for aquatic life. Some will also temporarily remove or breakdown ammonia and nitrate but I would not rely on this. You need to get your cycle back

 

Maybe Tetra safestart would help here after water change?

 

If you have your old filter cartridges, they’re probably useless by now unless they’re still wet. Beneficial bacteria are aquatic. You need to do a water change ASAP to get the ammonia down.

Also, driftwood and plants don’t have beneficial bacteria on them. Plants remove nitrates, but they won’t be able to convert ammonia like bacteria does.

To get your cycle back you’ll need a bacteria starter. You can buy them from pretty much any fish store


Water conditioner removes chlorine chloramines and heavy metals from tap water to make it safe for aquatic life. Some will also temporarily remove or breakdown ammonia and nitrate but I would not rely on this. You need to get your cycle back

Thank you for your help. How much water change do you recommend until I can get to the store tomorrow? I don't want to mess it up any worse than I have.

 

1ppm isn't crazy ammonia, but that combination with elevated nitrite is a tad worrying. Do a 25% wc with temp matched water if possible. That should buy you some time. Use prime or water conditioner as directed.

 

Is there anything at Wal-Mart I could get tonight? I'm so scared I'm gonna wake up in the morning to all of them dead. I did a 25% water change. Ammonia levels are still 1.0

I just tested my tap water and it has 1.0 Ammonia so water changes aren't gonna do anything. Wow. Guess I'm going to Wal-Mart to find something.

 

Is there anything at Wal-Mart I could get tonight? I'm so scared I'm gonna wake up in the morning to all of them dead. I did a 25% water change. Ammonia levels are still 1.0

I just tested my tap water and it has 1.0 Ammonia so water changes aren't gonna do anything. Wow. Guess I'm going to Wal-Mart to find something.

Sorry to get back to you so late. You can purchase any water conditioner that removes and or locks ammonia. I'm not sure what they carry at Walmart but I think that Tetra Aqua Safe may remove Chlorine. It would also be used in conjunction with the Tetra Safestart, which will help replenish your beneficial bacteria load.