So I set my tank up a month ago and added fish three weeks ago. I have a 24L tank with 3 guppies, two ottos and two amarno shrimp. I had no idea that you had to cycle the tank and no one questioned me at the fish shop to see how long my tank had been set up either. So it has only been set up for three weeks with the fish being in there two weeks which I have learnt is all wrong. My ammonia was measuring at 6 this morning but by the afternoon I had done 50% water change and it had gone down to 3, my nitrate was at 100 this morning and by this evening it was 50. The water changes are helping but I'm wondering why I'm getting these results, is it due to the fish tank cycling, because I have read somewhere that nitrates aren't produced until the cycling process is complete which is confusing me. There is so much contradicting information on the internet. I am a beginner and I want to educate myself properly so I make no more mistakes. Any help would be appreciated, thank you. The fish are looking ill so I want to try a save them.
Ammonia and nitrate high help!!
- Thread starter Kokomaiii
- Start date
SeanTrollope
Fish Addict
okay so firstly i would suggest finding a temporary home for the fish until the tank is cycled. also that tank is a bit small for the ottos in my opinion. i wish you the best of luck and hope things turn out well
I didn't even want ottos the fish shop gave them free with the guppies because they accidentally caught one and couldn't be bothered to get it out I assumed as they said it would be fine, that they would be ok in that tank size I told them it was 24L
SeanTrollope
Fish Addict
yeah never take the advice given at a pet shop.
There is so much here, I scarcely know where to begin. I do wish we could have education courses for fish store employees (and owners), but...that's dreaming.
Kokomaiii, welcome to TFF. Now, to the issues.
First, we want to save the present fish if we can. Can you return them to the store? This would be best. Otos are highly sensitive to water parameters, quality, etc. Then we could do things properly.
Aside from the cycling, we need t know your water parameters for the tap water so we can select suitable fish. This is also a very small tank, so fish options will be very limited and such fish are usually wild caught so must match the parameters.
You seem to have some test kits, which ones? The API master combo liquid test includes pH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate; these four tests are important especially at the start. You should also test your tap water for these to know what you are dealing with. The other parameter, GH or general hardness, is very important but once you know the tap water you won't need tests, so check this with your municipal water authority, probably on their website.
If fish are to remain in this tank, they will likely not live very long, but daily 50-60% water changes, with a conditioner that detoxifies ammonia and nitrite (Prime, Ultimate both do these), maybe. I would try to return the fish though so we can do this properly and in good time.
Byron.
Kokomaiii, welcome to TFF. Now, to the issues.
First, we want to save the present fish if we can. Can you return them to the store? This would be best. Otos are highly sensitive to water parameters, quality, etc. Then we could do things properly.
Aside from the cycling, we need t know your water parameters for the tap water so we can select suitable fish. This is also a very small tank, so fish options will be very limited and such fish are usually wild caught so must match the parameters.
You seem to have some test kits, which ones? The API master combo liquid test includes pH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate; these four tests are important especially at the start. You should also test your tap water for these to know what you are dealing with. The other parameter, GH or general hardness, is very important but once you know the tap water you won't need tests, so check this with your municipal water authority, probably on their website.
If fish are to remain in this tank, they will likely not live very long, but daily 50-60% water changes, with a conditioner that detoxifies ammonia and nitrite (Prime, Ultimate both do these), maybe. I would try to return the fish though so we can do this properly and in good time.
Byron.
I have already contacted the shop and they are refusing to take them because one of them is sick I have no choice but to just try otherwise they are going to die. I am using api ammonia test strips, and tetra 6 in one strips, and for the water I am using stress zyme plus and stress coat plus. Yes I am uneducated and I wish they did courses for all animals it would stop animals being neglected. I would never intentionally have done this and I feel awful.
have
With the fish remaining, my earlier advice stands...daily water changes, use one of the two conditioners mentioned if you can until the cycling is done. If you do get either Prime or Ultimate, stop using the StressCoat-Plus. But do use it at water changes until you have either of the others.
However, recognize that damage has almost certainly occurred to the fish, and they will not recover from that, so they may live for a while or they may not.
However, recognize that damage has almost certainly occurred to the fish, and they will not recover from that, so they may live for a while or they may not.
Ok well thank you for your advice, I'll be sad if the fish don't make it but I have certainly learnt my lesson, do you know at what point my tank has cycled to and how much longer it could take ?
hank
The cycle should be complete when ammonia and nitrite are booth zero, and nitrate shows, though this latter is variable.
Which reminds me...back in post #1 you said ammonia and nitrate are high...did you mean nitrate or nitrite?
Also, test your tap water on its own for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. Any of these can occur in the tap water so that needs to be confirmed either way.
Which reminds me...back in post #1 you said ammonia and nitrate are high...did you mean nitrate or nitrite?
Also, test your tap water on its own for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. Any of these can occur in the tap water so that needs to be confirmed either way.
Ammonia was 6 now 3 nitrate 100 now 50 and nitrite 1 and its remained 1 even with water change even though I know it's meant to be 0 (obviously not while going through a cycle though), and I did test my tap water nitrate was 10 and nitrite was zero
ia
Just thought I would add an update for anyone who reads this who made the same mistake as me yesterday I added some tetra safestart to the tank 25ml. This morning I have tested the water and ammonia is now 0 nitrite is 0 and nitrate is 10 so I think the tetra safestart helped complete this cycle a lot quicker than it would have other wise! The fish seem so much better swimming around and playing in their new bubble machine!
Yes, SafeStart is a good bacterial supplement. Do once daily water tests for ammonia and nitrite for a few days just to be certain they are and remain zero. But I would expect they will now.
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