Newbie Question

[pezant]

About 2 weeks ago I bought a 29 gallon US tank. I have since added in 3 mollys, 4 wagtail plattys, 3 Mickey mouse plattys and 1 Cory catfish. I have been feeding these fish twice a day (Is this too much?) My Ammonia levels have been super high the last few days up around 8 ppm. I have done a water change 2 days ago when levels were this high but they remain this high today. I have a hang on back filter with the bio Wheel that is rated for this tank. Is this natural for doing a cycle with fish to be this high? Nitrite readings were at 2 ppm. Also how long does it take to establish a cycle with fish in it.

 

[Doryfan]

Hi, someone a lot more experienced than me will be able to help you more but in the meantime you really need to get the ammonia levels down fast. It takes a while to cycle with fish but for their sake you need to take it slow.

I regret it now but I cycled my 1st tank (33 USG) with 4 platies. I did water changes of 10% every day and the fish survived. The highest ammonia level was 1.

Anyway, 1st off you need a big water change asap to dilute the ammonia reading you've got now - that level is lethal. I'd also reduce your feeding for now, say once every other day. You've got a lot of fish for a new tank - any chance you could return/rehome some?

As above, I'm sure someone much more experienced than me will be along soon but hope this helps.

 

[mark.w.jones]

8ppm ammonia is horrendously high. Please do a big water change, 50% asap. You then need to be doing 10 - 20% water changes every other day in order to prevent ammonia and nitrite from rising in the future. Keep this up for at least 2 - 3 weeks so that things can settle down. Once you've had 0ppm readings for ammonia and nitrite for a week then you can think about adding your next school of fish but no more than 4 - 5 at a time.

You've been very lucky not to lose any fish so far. to TFF and please consider a fishless cycle when you set up your next tank.

 

[loveyourfish]

Yes do immediate water change to dilute the ammonia level. Just do as mention above.

Another tips, you can add salt (aquarium salt recommended) into your tank while you are doing water change. Add about 2-3 ppm of salt. This will reduce stress for your fish while you are doing water change. If I'm not mistaken, salt helps to reduce ammonia too.

 

[mark.w.jones]

There is also a product called ammo lock which in this case may be worth getting, although I never normally recommend it. It'll get rid of a lot of the ammonia present and may help save your fish but go with the water change first.

 

[rdd1952]

Another tips, you can add salt (aquarium salt recommended) into your tank while you are doing water change. Add about 2-3 ppm of salt. This will reduce stress for your fish while you are doing water change. If I'm not mistaken, salt helps to reduce ammonia too.

You can't add salt to a tank with corys or other catfish. The salt will burn their skin

There is also a product called ammo lock which in this case may be worth getting, although I never normally recommend it. It'll get rid of a lot of the ammonia present and may help save your fish but go with the water change first.

I agree other than one thing. I definitely don't recommend using chemicals as they become a crutch for getting the water conditions right. But with the stocking level you have (way too high for a cycling tank) you have to do something.

If possible, return some of the the fish (4 or 5 max fish is the max for a cycling tank). If not, you need to start doing 2 a day water changes until you get the ammonia and nitrite back under 1 ppm and then cut back to 1 a day. You have to keep the ammonia levels down or all your fish will die. I doubt the cory will make it through anyway as they need a mature tank (also should be in groups of 3 or more but that's another story). At that point is when you need to use the ammo lock. Even then, you will still have to do water changes daily to keep the nitrite level down. You will still be seeing high ammonia on your test kit but it will be a safe form so it shouldn't be a problem.

Do you have any nitrate yet? If so, then your tank has started to process nitrite too which is a good thing and you probably will be finished with the cycle in a week or 2. If not then you have quite a ways to go.

 

[loveyourfish]

LOL...salt is just for treatment, small ammount won't harm corrys. Corrys have good amour.