Ammonia in water!

[Starry]

Okay, so much has been going on with my tank. My platys mainly stay at the bottom of the tank staying on the gravel. I tested the ammonia and it was high. I did a 20% water change and I put ammino lock in the water. I also put some aquarium salt in the water. Top it off, one platy just had babies yesterday. I saw 2 swimming in the tank so I was able to catch one and put it in an open container. (I wrote a post about it on the breeding board)

Anyway, what do I do about the fish lying on the bottom? They did come up for some food but then when back down. The tank is not fully cycled. Should I take the platys out and put them in a temporary tank? I would have to go out and buy one so I can't take them out now. Should I continue to do a water change? There is alot of food on the bottom of the tank. I am beinging to think that they most likely won't survive.

I am at work right now just doing research on the internet (I know, I should be working) and I can't seem to find any info!!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated !!

 

[Starry]

Oh, and I meant to add that the nitrite is starting to go up. Should I get a plastic tank and put the fish in there with an airstone while doing a daily water change until the main tank is cycled?

 

[zeo]

how many fishes do u have in what size tank?

anyway, i experinced the same type of problem as you when i first started out,

first of all if ammonia tested high,

how many times a day do you feed your fishes?
I would recommend cutting back, and feeding them once every 2 days untill the tank has fully cycled.

A common mistake is over feeding your fishes, esp when the tank is first cycling, this will be causeing the most damage.
Depending on how many fishes you have i'd say to only give them a small pinch or 2, even if your fishes still look hungry, cut back,
it will benifit them for the near future.

If nitrite is now starting to go up, it looks like your tank is starting to go into the 2nd phase of cycling, with cutting back on feeding, you should notice a drop in ammonia in the next few days to a week or so.

As for the food at the bottom of the tank, if it is in large amount try and scoop as much of it as you can out of your tank.

Carryon with the daily or every few days partial water change (about 25%) untill you notice a huge change in the water results then you should be able to cut down to a few days to a week, as well as feeding your fishes daily, but it is vitial that you should cut down on the overfeeding.

 

[Starry]

Thank you for your advice !
I only have the 2 fish in the tank (Plus the babies, not sure how many if there are any are left in the tank)

What does it mean when the fish stay on the bottom of the tank. Just lying down on the gravel. It is like they have no engergy at all. What can I do if anything about that? I think they might be dieing.

It will be 2 weeks Saturday that the tank has been running. I added the first fish just this past Saturday. Does that still mean that the cycle is in the 2nd phase?

Thank you for your help !!

 

[zeo]

i'm cant be too sure, but i'd say if they were anything like mine were it is proberbly due to the current water conditions, but for temp this period of time it should be ok, and they should have no problem making it to the end of the cycle if you cut back on the feeding, as well as the constant partial water changes.

If the nitrites are starting to rise, it prob does mean its going into the second stage, and as long as u cut back on the feeding, you should soon notice the ammonia level dropping.

zeo

 

[Starry]

What about using a gravel vac also? Will that help???
And how long can they go without being fed? One on the platys seems very young.

Thank you !!!

 

[zeo]

yea that would do great if you have one.

 

[Angel Lady]

ok heres my intake on this first of all the ammo lock will give you a false reading add some salt it will make the nitrites not as toxic change out 10 percent of your water daily it will prolong the cycle but it will keep your fish alive

 

[Starry]

Should I continue to use ammo lock? Should I use stress coat also?
The ammonia levels are extremely high !!!
Thank you !!

 

[Angel Lady]

if it were me I wouldnt use any thing in the water but the salt and change the water 10 percent everyday it will keep your fish alive.

 

[wuvmybetta]

I agree with fks&m's, the ammo-lock will most certainly mess up your ammonia reading & confuse you totally. Try not to use any chemicals like that & carry on with your small water changes Good Luck!

 

[Starry]

I want to thank everyone for their help!

I am happy to say that the ammonia level is going down. It is still high enough for me to continue daily partial water changes, but it is a major, major improvement! The fish are much more alert also. What a difference from when I first wrote this post. I stopped using ammo lock and now I use seachem prime. I use it because it acts as a water condtioner but it also makes the ammonia, nitirite and nitrate less toxic.

Thanks again !!