Ammonia

[dannybgoode]

Well the other alternative seeing as you're not keen on following the advice you asked for is to keep the stocking as it is and not replacing the fish that will inevitably die as a result. At some point in the near future you will end up with stocking levels more appropriate for the tank.

A rather cruel way of resolving the issue but a choice open to you none the less...

And perhaps you should change your username?

Cheers

Danny B

 

[Fish Lover Forever]

I am going to give one of my baby guppies to the fish shop but how long do I have to do it? How long until they start dying.

 

[The Taffy Apple]

I am going to give one of my baby guppies to the fish shop but how long do I have to do it? How long until they start dying.

Guppys can, and do, live for a few years... if your 'trusted' fish store is happy to take one baby Guppy (i've never come across ANY that are keen to have any live-bearers) then ask them to take some more off you, then stock your tank more suitably and fish-friendly.

Terry.

 

[Fish Lover Forever]

How long will they live? I put the 3 babies in last week

 

[bmonki]

How long will they live? I put the 3 babies in last week

how long is a piece of string?

it all depends on how cycled you tank is, whether the fighter becomes agressive and whether you keep the water in good condition by testing etc with a liquid kit for accurate results.

 

[Fish Lover Forever]

Ok, I did another water test today and I thought you may be interested with the results:

NO2: 0.5
NO3: 40
PH: 6.5
KH: 40
GH: 180

 

[dannybgoode]

I'm a little confused - NO2 is nitrIte not ammonia as you have put in your original post. Free ammonia is NH3 and ammonia NH4. Free Ammonia (NH3) is highly toxic to fish, ammonia (NH4) less so.

Free ammonia is a function of the pH of the water and the amount of ammonia (NH4) - the higher your pH the more free ammonia could be present in your water for a given NH4 reading. I'm only familiar with the Nutrafin test kit in which the NH4 is measured and then there is a look up table to see how much NH3 is present for the pH of your water.

If your NH4 is 0.5 then it needs sorting but may be tap water related - have you tested your tap water? However with the low pH you have you are in a better position than someone with a high pH. It may cause issues with your fish longer term though and in a properly cycled tank should still be 0. Even if your tap water has ammonia in it a cycled tank should get rid of it.

If it is indeed NO2, i.e nitrIte then you MUST get this to 0 ASAP as nitrIte is highly toxic to fish and again in a properly cycled tank should be 0.

If your tank is established and NH4 and NO2 are not reading 0 then it would suggest your filter is struggling with the bioload of your tanks.

Cheers

Danny B

 

[WILDER]

The guppys mouth does it have a cotton strands attached, or cotton wool patches on the mouth area. Make sure the mouth not rotting away.

 

[Fish Lover Forever]

Well I need to get a test kit which includes an ammonia reading because these are test strips. I will order one on amazon later but do you know a test kit that includes an ammonia reading and is good but not too expencive.

 

[dannybgoode]

API or Nutrafin. I use nutrafin, most others on here API. Both can be bought off eBay for around £20 and are both liquid test kits. Much better than strips.

You need to do a big (90%) water change and get that nitrite out of the tank as soon as possible. Won't be helping your poorly guppy one bit.

Cheers

Danny B

 

[Fish Lover Forever]

I have taken another look at my guppy (the one with the yellow tail) and his mouth is a bit red and he keeps opening and closing it. On the internet it says not to do any more than 25% because it affects the temperature and the 'balance'. Is this true??

Although I do love my guppies is he goes it may help my stocking problem!

 

[The Taffy Apple]

I have taken another look at my guppy (the one with the yellow tail) and his mouth is a bit red and he keeps opening and closing it. On the internet it says not to do any more than 25% because it affects the temperature and the 'balance'. Is this true??

Although I do love my guppies is he goes it may help my stocking problem!

Nonsense. Water changes (no matter how big) are our best friends and the FIRST thing you should be thinking about doing if/when a problem arises. But being a fish expert, you knew this already, right....?!?!

Terry.

 

[dannybgoode]

You were warned previously what could happen with an overstocked tank. You need to keep on top of the water changes - big enough to keep the nitrites at 0 and if that means 90% every day that's what needs to be done.

Also, you simply don't know what your ammonia levels are at the moment and these could also be dangerously high and again big big water changes are all that will help you at the moment.

If both ammonia and nitrite don't stablise at 0 soon, given that your tank has been going since July, then it would appear the filter can't cope with the stock you have - again, you were warned this might happen so it may be time to reduce the number of fish in your tank also.

Cheers

Danny B

 

[Fish Lover Forever]

Ok, when the babies get older I will rehome them. Meanwhile I don't wany to do anything in case my guppy goes to the fish tank in the sky!
Will 50%-60% water changes daily for 5 days be okay? I don't want to do too much at a time otherwise they won't have enough water to swim in
but will 50 or 60% be okay?

 

[The Taffy Apple]

Ok, when the babies get older I will rehome them. Meanwhile I don't wany to do anything in case my guppy goes to the fish tank in the sky!
Will 50%-60% water changes daily for 5 days be okay? I don't want to do too much at a time otherwise they won't have enough water to swim in
but will 50 or 60% be okay?

Water changes need to be done as and when your Ammonia test results tell you to... i can only still presume you still don't have one, so i would do 75% or more, daily.

Terry.