Not Sure how to handle this situation!?!

[petcrazed23]

Hey everyone, i'm new at this site, yet not new to the owning fish lifestyle. Anyways, this is the first time I've ever had a problem with ammonia! I'm cleaned the tank, 50% at a time once a week for almost 3 weeks now and it still won't go away. when i test the tank, it says that it is way over the normal level. How can i get rid of it and quick?! It's a 55 gallon, freshwater tank containing, 2 tetras, 4 small loaches, 3 danios, a baby(4 inch algea eater) and 2 goldfish plus some live plants. I heard that the goldfish put off a bunch of ammonia in their pee, but i didn't think that it would be enough to unsetle this tank. Oh, plus my goldfish look almost blood shot. their heads are red and their tails and bodies just don't look healthy .

Another thing is that my tank has algea problems and i'm not sure how to control that situation either.

ANY input would be greatly appreciated!!!!

Brittany

 

[revengeishere]

1.Try cleaning it no more than 20 gallons each time. 50% might kill some of the beneficial bacteria that converts ammonia to harmless stuff.

2.Try those water conditioners for ammonia until the tank has settled.

3.Is your tank heated? Goldfish are cold water fish and they might be stressed out because of that.

4.Algae problems arise when you overfeed your fish, and/or inadequate lighting.

Hope i helped even if jjust a little bit.

 

[petcrazed23]

Thanks, i'll try that.

I'm just scared because i have little ones in my tank and i don't want them to die!

Thanks again,
Brittany

 

[wuvmybetta]

try turning your lights off for about an hour or so mid-day, it creates an algae gap and seemed to work for my problem

hope your ammonia situation evens out for ya

 

[impur]

How long has your tank been running? Size of tank? Sounds like somehow you depleted the colony of ammonia eating bacteria (to lazy to look up the name). Have you gotten rid of the filter cartridges? What kind of filter do you have? Sounds like the goldfish are reacting to the high ammonia. I would advise against keeping goldfish and the others together. Go pick up a 10 gal tank at walmart for 9 bucks and put the goldfish in there. They will be fine with no filter or heater, just change 2-3 gallons a week. As far as the algae, keep your light off for awhile. This will help kill the algae since it needs light to survive. Good luck!!

 

[petcrazed23]

How long has your tank been running? Size of tank? Sounds like somehow you depleted the colony of ammonia eating bacteria (to lazy to look up the name). Have you gotten rid of the filter cartridges? What kind of filter do you have?

well, my tank is 55 gallons like i said and has been running for about 3 years now. The thing is, is that i've had my goldfish in my tank for about 6 months already. also, i have tons of filtration on it. i have 2 power heads for my undergravel filter and one hanging on the tank, it's a wisper 30-60 power filter. they've done a great job keepin the tank clean, the ph is fine too, it's just the ammonia levels that worry me. anyways, i'll try your guys suggestions.

thanks,
Brittany


P.S.
the goldfish look better since i've completed the water change. the bloodshot apprience has almost gone away!

 

[revengeishere]

How long has your tank been running? Size of tank? Sounds like somehow you depleted the colony of ammonia eating bacteria (to lazy to look up the name). Have you gotten rid of the filter cartridges? What kind of filter do you have?

well, my tank is 55 gallons like i said and has been running for about 3 years now. The thing is, is that i've had my goldfish in my tank for about 6 months already. also, i have tons of filtration on it. i have 2 power heads for my undergravel filter and one hanging on the tank, it's a wisper 30-60 power filter. they've done a great job keepin the tank clean, the ph is fine too, it's just the ammonia levels that worry me. anyways, i'll try your guys suggestions.

thanks,
Brittany


P.S.
the goldfish look better since i've completed the water change. the bloodshot apprience has almost gone away!

Well, if the goldfish is starting to get better, then that is a good sign.
Did you always change the water 50% each time??

Thats is kinda streesful to the fish and the benfeicial bacterias that feeds on ammonia(?).

 

[impur]

I guess i coulda scrolled back up and actually read the post again lol sorry for makin ya repeat yourself. Glad they seem to be doing better.

 

[wetwetwet]

- something must have caused the ammonia spike.... ....

...any fish missing?

.....or a problem with the filter could be a likly cause - I'm no expert on UG filters but cann't these get clogged over time and need major maintenance/overhaul every year or so?

 

[val]

If you add some Stress zyme, you'll get the bacteria started back up again.

Valerie

 

[dolphin]

Hi petcrazed23

It sounds like the UGF has come to the end of it's life. IMO 3 years running a UGF is the max you can get out of it, and now it is time to strip the tank down and clean under neith the plates.