High Ammonia Levels

[acula]

I'm currently setting up my first tank.

My fish wernt too happy in it so ive taken them out and im trying to reduce my ammonia levels.

Im changing 20% of my water every day and i put a drop of "safestart" everytime i do it. (This stuffs supposed to reduce ammonia, according to the bottle)

The levels are still high and i was wondering if theres anything else i can do

thanks

 

[Miss Wiggle]

The safestart won't be doing anything, it may say it helps but the product is rubbish.

when you say you've taken the fish out, what exactly do you mean? where are the fish now?!

your tanks cycling so you've a few options,

1 - return fish to the shop and do a fishless cycle

2 - keep fish and try to get some mature media to put in your filter to cycle the tank

3 - get hold of some bactinettes which will give the cycle a kick start

4 - let the cycle run it's course with fish in, 25% water changes every day possibly for 8 weeks +

 

[2excitedkids]

If you NO LONGER HAVE FISH IN then you want to be keeping your ammonia raised not reducing it,otherwise your bacteria colonies will die off and not grow (ammonia is their food). You will need to add ammonia to make them grow.

You need to read the pinned topic at top of menu page on fishless cycling.

If you have any fish in the waterchanges are important as ammonia is toxic to fish and it is broken down only when your bacterial colonies have grown large enough to 'eat' it all.

 

[holidayinn]

if you've taken the fish out do a fishless cycle adding a certain amount of ammonia a day...dont try to reduce the ammonia levels, the filter will do that when its ready

there are great pinned fishless cycling articles u can refer to on this forum

 

[acula]

The safestart won't be doing anything, it may say it helps but the product is rubbish.

when you say you've taken the fish out, what exactly do you mean? where are the fish now?!

your tanks cycling so you've a few options,

1 - return fish to the shop and do a fishless cycle

2 - keep fish and try to get some mature media to put in your filter to cycle the tank

3 - get hold of some bactinettes which will give the cycle a kick start

4 - let the cycle run it's course with fish in, 25% water changes every day possibly for 8 weeks +

My fish are bk at the shop being babysitted til my waters more suitable

do shops sell mature media?

i'll go have aloook for "bactinettes" tomorrow

 

[Miss Wiggle]

some shops will sell or give you some mature media, not all of them though, worth ringing round the shops in your area.

if not ask on the forum see if there's a memeber near to you who has some.

 

[acula]

mrs wiggle, where can i post to find some muture media?

 

[Miss Wiggle]

have a look through this thread to try and find someone local

http/www.fishforums.net/content/New-to-t...ia-To-Newbies-/

if you find anyone offering it then just pm them. if you have no luck there then put a post in the buy/sell/swap section asking for some, make sure you post your location so people who are local will spot it.

 

[backtotropical]

Some good advice from Miss Wiggle as always there.

You can also add your location to your profile so we can see where you are.








<=====See mine here?

I will re-iterate that your best option is to perform a fishless cycle. Read this and if you have any questions, come back and ask away.

Fishless cycling avoids the fish being poisoned by their own waste. Please consider it.

Good luck with it.

BTT