Ammonia level won’t go down. Please help

[Tenaj]

I'm trying to be hard on the toxic ammonia, not on you.
Do as many changes as you can. Your fish will appreciate it.
Consider the 'smoke' analogy.

Some have said not to feed them. I have not fed them in 2 days. Im Sure they are starving. Can I feed them?

 

[Bruce Leyland-Jones]

Some have said not to feed them. I have not fed them in 2 days. Im Sure they are starving. Can I feed them?

They won't be starving after only two days.
Consider...
We and other warm-blooded animals need fuel to keep our bodies heated and functioning. Keeping us warm is what the bulk of our food goes towards.
Fish do not need to do this, as they are warm enough in their water and so, when they eat, they have less requirements for fuel.

 

[Tenaj]

They won't be starving after only two days.
Consider...
We and other warm-blooded animals need fuel to keep our bodies heated and functioning. Keeping us warm is what the bulk of our food goes towards.
Fish do not need to do this, as they are warm enough in their water and so, when they eat, they have less requirements for fuel.

Ok. Should I wait until ammonia is at 0 before feeding them again? Just tested water. Not at 8 anymore but still a high 2. Maybe between 2 and 4. Starting my 75% water change now . Gone water is definitely clear and no more oily looking film over it. Thankfully. The fish seem fine but I know the “smoke” is still killing them

 

[Bruce Leyland-Jones]

Ok. Should I wait until ammonia is at 0 before feeding them again? Just tested water. Not at 8 anymore but still a high 2. Maybe between 2 and 4. Starting my 75% water change now . Gone water is definitely clear and no more oily looking film over it. Thankfully. The fish seem fine but I know the “smoke” is still killing them

Not feeding them reduces waste, which reduces ammonia entering the water. The idea is to give your bacteria a chance to play 'Catch-up'.
That the fish seem fine is a good sign...like I said, the fish will appreciate the 'fresh air'.

When addressing emergencies such as this, we do emphasise the fatally toxic nature of ammonia poisoning and this is to hopefully hammer home the importance of good aquarium care and water changes.
Sometime in the not-too-distant future, you will have a good tank and at least some of your fish will at least be okay. They might even begin to thrive, in spite of damage done, provided they get the right conditions in the tank.
The long-term effects of this episode will be that your fish will be more prone to stress and illness, but if you take extraordinarily good care, they'll be relatively fine.

 

[Tenaj]

Not feeding them reduces waste, which reduces ammonia entering the water. The idea is to give your bacteria a chance to play 'Catch-up'.
That the fish seem fine is a good sign...like I said, the fish will appreciate the 'fresh air'.

When addressing emergencies such as this, we do emphasise the fatally toxic nature of ammonia poisoning and this is to hopefully hammer home the importance of good aquarium care and water changes.
Sometime in the not-too-distant future, you will have a good tank and at least some of your fish will at least be okay. They might even begin to thrive, in spite of damage done, provided they get the right conditions in the tank.
The long-term effects of this episode will be that your fish will be more prone to stress and illness, but if you take extraordinarily good care, they'll be relatively fine.

Thank you !!

 

[Rocky998]

Thank you. Yep fish in cycling is what I’ve been learning because petsmart sold me the fish but never mentioned a cycle. Lost 4 glo tetras when I Started two months ago. It all began in a 10 gallon tank. After researching and learning about the cycle, I upgraded to a 36 gallon and luckily the fish I had left l, I moved over and I have added others. I now have six glow Tetras, 4 glow barbs and 4 glo danios. I have had these the entire month I’ve had the 36 gallon. Learned about feeding less. Live plants. Less lights. Algae. Constant water changes. Levels of readings. What I should and should not add. And of coarse,the cycling process. It’s been a costly fun experience. The ammonia level had been at 1ppm to .50ppms the entire month I’ve had the 36 gallons. Not sure now I ended up at an 8 overnight. Only thing I can think is using 2 water conditioners for water change which I now know not to. Also ammolock. Other than those 2 things, not sure why it spiked to 8 ppm. I’m now doing a bigger water change, daily, starting yesterday, until my levels are at 0 for ammonia. I’m still learning all I can

Duckweed is a very annoying plant... But you have to add it, it will grow super fast meaning it will suck up a ton of the ammonia and nitrites. Keep up with the 50% water changes each day and feeding less is a good idea. Ive got to be honest here... I did not do any cycling research when I got my betta tank which ended up with a dead betta because I didnt know what to do, but you are lucky you found this forum because there are hundreds of people on here with boatloads of knowledge that in sure will also try helping.

 

[Tenaj]

Changing the amount of water of about 80% everyday, as I am now doing, is causing my fish to be stressed out!! They are Wigging out And at the top again gasping for air. I just checked the ammonia level and I am down to 1 Ppm. My fish are not looking happy after this water change

 

[Tenaj]

Changing the amount of water of about 80% everyday, as I am now doing, is causing my fish to be stressed out!! They are Wigging out And at the top again gasping for air. I just checked the ammonia level and I am down to 1 Ppm. My fish are not looking happy after this water change

 

[Deleted member 149562]

Unfortunately you may lose one or two during this episode. As long as you try to keep the water that is going into the aquarium as close to the right temperature as you can and pour it in very very slowly, the stress levels will be lower.

If the fish are freaking out and gasping, possibly the water going in is too cold and its shocking to them

 

[Deleted member 149562]

A little tip when doing daily water changes that I use when I have had to do this for any reason.

When refilling the aquarium and the water is a little on the cool side, pour in a figure 8 and slowly

That allows the water to mix with the original slower and in less concentrated areas

The fish will obviously realise that water is going into the aquarium but cos you are figure 8 pouring slowly the temp differences will be alot less abrupt to them

 

[Rocky998]

Changing the amount of water of about 80% everyday, as I am now doing, is causing my fish to be stressed out!! They are Wigging out And at the top again gasping for air. I just checked the ammonia level and I am down to 1 Ppm. My fish are not looking happy after this water change

80% is a little much. I think the max is 75%. 50% seems optimum because 80 is changing the chemistry and temp in the water dramatically.

 

[Tenaj]

Unfortunately you may lose one or two during this episode. As long as you try to keep the water that is going into the aquarium as close to the right temperature as you can and pour it in very very slowly, the stress levels will be lower.

If the fish are freaking out and gasping, possibly the water going in is too cold and its shocking to them

A little tip when doing daily water changes that I use when I have had to do this for any reason.

When refilling the aquarium and the water is a little on the cool side, pour in a figure 8 and slowly

That allows the water to mix with the original slower and in less concentrated areas

The fish will obviously realise that water is going into the aquarium but cos you are figure 8 pouring slowly the temp differences will be alot less abrupt to them

I have 2 dead fish!! I am soooooooooo sad. Temperature is reading 78.8

 

[Rocky998]

I have 2 dead fish!! I am soooooooooo sad. Temperature is reading 78.8

Ok good. Not the 2 dead fish, the temp. How many fish are left?

 

[xxBarneyxx]

80% is a little much. I think the max is 75%. 50% seems optimum because 80 is changing the chemistry and temp in the water dramatically.

Honestly if you are using the same tap water and aren't modifying it you could do a 95% water change and it wouldn't change the water chemistry.

The only things you need it worry about are using dechlorinator and matching the temperature.

I have 2 dead fish!! I am soooooooooo sad. Temperature is reading 78.8

Sorry too hear that. Unfortunately it may not be the last. I know it feels like the water changes are the problem here but trust us it isn't (though do make sure you match the temp).

 

[Rocky998]

Honestly if you are using the same tap water and aren't modifying it you could do a 95% water change and it wouldn't change the water chemistry.

The only things you need it worry about are using dechlorinator and matching the temperature.

I thought so but wasnt sure as sometimes tap can be a little different, and when adding a bunch of it I thought it would stress the fish. But if you say its fine then I'll believe you, because you've been in the fish keeping world much longer than I have.