Ammonia Trouble In Dwarf Gourami Tank...

[rlhirth]

alright i have had my tank up for some time and was testing all my levels everyother day (10 gallon tank with 3 dwarf clawed frogs in it) and everything was perfect and i finally decided to go get my Dwarf gourami... was planing on getting 2 eventually but was told it was better off to get 2 at the same time rather then getting one and trying to add another later... was told it was a male and female but after 2 days realised it was 2 males and the one really started to pick on the other... well this morning (fish have been in for 4 days) the one that was being picked on was dead and when i went to get him out (he was in a cave) there was 2 dwarf frogs dead too... tested my water and my ammonia level spiked to almost 4 ppm.... and now im fearing for my last frog and Gouramis life... i did a 50 % water change to drop the ammonia level... andwhen i get home from work tonight i will test the ammonia again... to make sure it doesnt go up...

is there anything else i can do?? i know i shouldnt of got 2 dwarf gouramis at the same time...

 

[frankie21]

Besides water changes you can always call your local fish stores and see if any have used filters they would sell you. One of mine you can buy a new filter to replace their used one and you take that home squeeze it into your tank and drop it in. It works wonders to help establish a bacteria colony.

I would make sure you use an anti chlorine agent in your tap water because chlorine does kill beneficial bacteria.

I recommend the use of "Prime" because it neutralizes chlorine in the tap water and the ammonia and Nitrite in the tank water. If it was not for prime I think I would of lost a few fish when I first started.

I would make sure you buy a filter with a Biowheel because the wheel holds an amazing amount of bacteria and you never touch it or clean it so you never loose the bacteria.

 

[rlhirth]

i do use a dechlorinizer.... i use Tap water conditioner by API the makers of some of the best test kits around me...
well i got home from work and the ammonia level held at 0.5ppm so ill wait till tomorrow to do another partial water change....and so far my frog and fish still look ok... i guess i have to just wait and see...

 

[frankie21]

i do use a dechlorinizer.... i use Tap water conditioner by API the makers of some of the best test kits around me...
well i got home from work and the ammonia level held at 0.5ppm so ill wait till tomorrow to do another partial water change....and so far my frog and fish still look ok... i guess i have to just wait and see...

I wish you the best. It's stressful when you loose a fish especially if you don't know why. At least you were able to react quick enough you didn't loose them all. If you setup a planted tank it helps takes care of ammonia cycle for you. I was suprised how easy they really are to take care of too. Just have to be more careful about lights so you don't leave them on too long and make sure you have about 1 Otto or so per 10 gallons.

 

[me499]

alright i have had my tank up for some time and was testing all my levels everyother day (10 gallon tank with 3 dwarf clawed frogs in it) and everything was perfect and i finally decided to go get my Dwarf gourami... was planing on getting 2 eventually but was told it was better off to get 2 at the same time rather then getting one and trying to add another later... was told it was a male and female but after 2 days realised it was 2 males and the one really started to pick on the other... well this morning (fish have been in for 4 days) the one that was being picked on was dead and when i went to get him out (he was in a cave) there was 2 dwarf frogs dead too... tested my water and my ammonia level spiked to almost 4 ppm.... and now im fearing for my last frog and Gouramis life... i did a 50 % water change to drop the ammonia level... andwhen i get home from work tonight i will test the ammonia again... to make sure it doesnt go up...

is there anything else i can do?? i know i shouldnt of got 2 dwarf gouramis at the same time...

hi just reading your post and thought i would reply, before i do i would just like to let you know im pretty new to keeping aquariums but i now have 2 both purchased in the last 6 months and any experience i have has been gained through these tanks so any thing i say is not gospel....obveously.

that said and done i would reccomend TETRA SAFE START, its a pretty new product (or so i am told), and compared to other products it is rather expensive but i had instant success with it and it should drop your ammonia levels off almost straight away.

also i would reccomend live plants, they feed on ammonia and nitrites, and so does algea so a live plant will help reduce ammonia and also help stop algea growth (i know its not what you asked but its all good)

i noticed some one suggested old filters from local fish store. i have been warned against this as fish stores are succeptable to disease's etc due to overcrowding. but its all a learning curve so good luck

 

[rlhirth]

Thank you both Me499 and frankie21, i do have a planted tank... well half planted... 4 live plants plus some java moss and then 4 fake plants...and then caves and hidey spots which i move when vacuming so no chance of missing anything...

did a 10% water change this morning and my ammonia levels still at .25ppm...

the frogs hard to keep an eye on cuz the one thats left is the one that really likes to hid... i did see him come up for air once before the water change so hes still alive... Gourami is still doing great.. ate 5 blood worms last night and 3 flacks this morning and is still pecking at the rocks and plants.. so he seems well

 

[frankie21]

I agree used filters can be definitely more harm then good if you jsut buy from pet store. I NEVER EVER buy fish from a pet store because they always have dead fish all over, ICK or fish on the edge of death. I was thinking more along the lines of a trusted local fish store you frequently visit.