Combined Tanks And Now Ammonia Levels Are High. What Did I Do Wrong?

[Starletta]

I had two 10 gallon tanks and decided to purchase a 20 gallon tank over the weekend.
 
I used the water from both 10 gallon tanks and added approx. 20 percent new water.
 
So far I've lost my single Platy, a Neon Tetra, and my Bamboo Shrimp doesn't look good. I just put him into a small tank with fresh water to get him out of the Ammonia.
 
Using the API Ammonia test kit, the levels showed 1.0 ppm.    Did a 25-30 percent water change this afternoon and the level lowered just a bit to 0.50 ppm.
 
Just a note: The Bristle Nose Plecos really fought when I put them together and thought the stress of that killed my sensitive Platy and the Neon Tetra.             
 
I'll do another water change tomorrow, but should I take out more than 25 percent?
 
Do the Ammonia Blockers they sell at pet supply stores really work until I can get the situation resolved?       I obviously messed up, but not sure what I did wrong...  My poor fish.

 
Ideas?  Thank you.
 
I'm having a hard time changing my signature:  But here are my fish
2 Bristle Nose Plecos
3 Neon Tetras
2 Black Skirt Tetras
1 Peppered Cory
2 Glo-fish
1 Bamboo Shrimp

 

[bristlenoseitplecoman]

You didnt do anything wrong as much as your filter cant keep up yet. Your filter takes the ammonia out of the water with bacteria who eat it and change its composition until it is safe. it has been used to a certain ammonia load for a while and you just gave it alot more to deal with because there are more fish pooing and such. Your filter will eventually get enough bacteria to keep up but for now i suggest not feeding your fish. they can go for up to 2 weeks without food but im only suggesting a few days. it will give the filter time to adpt and decrease the ammonia load. #2 never put BN plecos together when they are both males. they will only fight to the death and harm other fish in their way. also did you cycle this tank before you put the fish in?

 

[Noahsfish]

You didn't cycle the tank that's why...adding old tank water doesn't really help, not much bacteria is in the water. If you're using a brand new filter it will have to cycle all over again. If you have your other 2 filters either use those or take out what's inside of them and put that into your new filter.

 

[Starletta]

You didnt do anything wrong as much as your filter cant keep up yet. Your filter takes the ammonia out of the water with bacteria who eat it and change its composition until it is safe. it has been used to a certain ammonia load for a while and you just gave it alot more to deal with because there are more fish pooing and such. Your filter will eventually get enough bacteria to keep up but for now i suggest not feeding your fish. they can go for up to 2 weeks without food but im only suggesting a few days. it will give the filter time to adpt and decrease the ammonia load. #2 never put BN plecos together when they are both males. they will only fight to the death and harm other fish in their way. also did you cycle this tank before you put the fish in?

I guess here is where I'm confused. Please help me understand as I've only had fish for about a year and feel messed up with my interpretation of things. 
 
When you said the filter can't keep up:  It is a new 20 gallon, which came with a filter. So, I'm not sure why the filter can't keep up? (I'm sure there has to be an explanation) I also used a "Used" filter cartridge from my 10 gallon tank.   I didn't cycle as I thought since I was using the old water from the two 10 gallon tanks, the water didn't need to cycle again. 
 
Sorry about the confusion....   I feel horrible and have been watching them all day.      I believe the Plecos are females, as I've read the males have tenticles on their heads? 

You didn't cycle the tank that's why...adding old tank water doesn't really help, not much bacteria is in the water. If you're using a brand new filter it
will have to cycle all over again. If you have your other 2 filters either use those or take out what's inside of them and put that into your new filter.

Obviously, that is where I messed up....  I assumed using the already cycled water from the 10 gallon tanks would be the same as cycling all over again. 
 
I need to do another water change tomorrow... Should I go more than 25 percent?    Also, do the Ammonia Blockers they sell at pet stores really help until the situation is solved?

 

[Noahsfish]

The cartridge doesn't hold much good bacteria, that's why you replace it monthly...and like I said water doesn't hold much bacteria, however your substrate does I.e using old gravel or sand will help immensely.

 

[bristlenoseitplecoman]

im sorry. i forget many people dont have a major education on fish keeping. so your filter is there for 2 reasons. the first is to take particles out of the water but it has a second purpose most people dont know about. It keeps bacteria colonies in it that take ammonia and nitrites out of the water. without these bacteria your water will become burning poison. they have to grow over time, normally a month long period when you put ammonia into the water to increase these colonies called cycling by most keepers. without this you will have to deal with what is happening now. Your BN plecos should be fine in the ammonia as long as it is kept at a lower level. they are hardy fish so they can give the bacteria ammonia. i suggest that when the ammonia levels get high that you need to stop feeding your fish and do a small water change. when the levels are low feel free to feed them. You wont be able to tell if your BN plecos are male for about a year because the tentacles have to grow. until then males and females will look alike.
It was smart to use your old cartridge but is there a second cartridge in your filter you have been told not to remove? that one holds the bacteria.

 

[Starletta]

Thank you!  I do have the old gravel and will replace it immediately!  Is it okay to put it over the new gravel?  Or do a total change?
 
I've had these Plecos for about a year as I bought them shortly after starting up the new tank. They both have bristles, but not on their heads. Although, I've searched on-line for identification - male vs female and found everyone has an idea of what a male and female should look like.
 
There isn't a second cartridge. The filter hangs over the side of the tank and 1 cartridge only.    Silly question, I have several used cartridges. Would it be helpful to simply let the other used cartridges float around in the tank?  As you can tell, I'm desperate to save my remaining fish.   Thank you for all your help....

 

[Meeresstille]

How long have the used cartridges been without water? If they were used within the last couple of days I think you could squeeze them out in front of the intake tube of the filter that is currently running on your tank. It could help seed the media in the new filter. 

 

[Starletta]

How long have the used cartridges been without water? If they were used within the last couple of days I think you could squeeze them out in front of the intake tube of the filter that is currently running on your tank. It could help seed the media in the new filter. 

 They were in water up until this afternoon. Good idea - I'll try squeezing them (although they are flat) in front of the intake tube. If not, I'll just let them float.  That's all I can do at this point.  I just added the old gravel as another poster recommended. And took out a bit more water. Will do another change tomorrow.
 
I just don't know what to do with my Bamboo Shrimp. He is still barely alive, and has been in a small seperate tank most of the day with fresh water.  Is there a way to reverse the affects of too much ammonia on/in him?   He's a real neat character, my Mr. Shrimpett. 

 

[Noahsfish]

How many lbs of gravel/sand do you have in all in the 20? I'd put the shrimp back into the main tank so it has a fighting chance, it won't last for long in a bucket. I'd fill as many buckets you have with fresh water and if possible do 30-50% water changes daily, or you could do every other day. I'd also feed very little, they'll be fine for a while without food. Be careful when doing the water changes, make sure the water is close to the same temperature. If you have a spare heater you could heat them, or you could mix hot and cold tap.

 

[bristlenoseitplecoman]

i dont suggest letting the cartridges float around. too much motion kills the bacteria. keep it in the filter and leave it alone. follow what i have said and you can count on keeping your remaining fish depending on their health. these other guys have great advice too.

 

[Noahsfish]

i dont suggest letting the cartridges float around. too much motion kills the bacteria. keep it in the filter and leave it alone. follow what i have said and you can count on keeping your remaining fish depending on their health. these other guys have great advice too.

I think he means that he has other cartridges, I don't see how he could fit more than one in the filter. I'm guessing he's using a hob, probably an aqueon in which case the filter really doesn't come with "media" rather blue plastic that supposedly holds bacteria. If you do have media in your filter such as noodles or rings I would put those in immediately, but if you used the gravel from both the other tanks and it wasn't sry for too long I think you should be absolutely fine, sorry for your losses

*dry

 

[snazy]

Not sure if the water change question was answered, but you need to do massive water changes to keep the levels at 0!! Which means as big and as many as it takes....till you get the filters sorted.

 

[Starletta]

i dont suggest letting the cartridges float around. too much motion kills the bacteria. keep it in the filter and leave it alone. follow what i have said and you can count on keeping your remaining fish depending on their health. these other guys have great advice too.

I think he means that he has other cartridges, I don't see how he could fit more than one in the filter. I'm guessing he's using a hob, probably an aqueon in which case the filter really doesn't come with "media" rather blue plastic that supposedly holds bacteria. If you do have media in your filter such as noodles or rings I would put those in immediately, but if you used the gravel from both the other tanks and it wasn't sry for too long I think you should be absolutely fine, sorry for your losses

*dry

Thank you.....
Yes, I have an Aqueon where the cartridge sits in the blue plastic holder as you said.  I have a cartridge in the holder, but have an additional used cartridge wedged between a rock and the intake tube.  Also put in gravel from the 10 gallon tanks, which was still wet.
 
I'll do a big water change tomorrow and in the mean time, no feeding.

How many lbs of gravel/sand do you have in all in the 20? I'd put the shrimp back into the main tank so it has a fighting chance, it won't last for long in a bucket. I'd fill as many buckets you have with fresh water and if possible do 30-50% water changes daily, or you could do every other day. I'd also feed very little, they'll be fine for a while without food. Be careful when doing the water changes, make sure the water is close to the same temperature. If you have a spare heater you could heat them, or you could mix hot and cold tap.

I always use a thermometer when adding water. The Bamboo Shrimp is in a small aquarium with a filter and heater.  Approx. a gallon or so?   

 

[Noahsfish]

If it's cycled than I'd keep him there, but if the filter isn't cycled definetly put him back in the main tank with the water changes. If it is cycled he should be able to last for a while, but a bamboo shrimp really needs more space for even short term.