Tank troubles

[Crystal]

My roomate has a 25Gal tank at work, and has had nothing but problems with his fish. he got them as a bday gift, so he is not even sure what kind they are, and I have only been to his office once, so I dont remember.
The water parmiters are:
ammonia:.25
nitrite: 0
nitrate: 80
ph: 7.6

OMG, I know what is wrong with his tank. What should I tell him to do?
I am thinking a 30% water change today, and then perhaps 10 for the next few days to get the nitrates down?
Any help is always appreciated.

Edit: He added Melafix, and the Aquazole stuff 2 weeks ago. (his words)

 

[BobK]

The water changes should fix the nitrate problem. How often has he been changing the water? Nitrates take a while to build up. The bigger problem is the ammonia. How long has the tank been up and running with fish in it? The ammonia could be because it's a new uncycled tank or it could be from over feeding but with nitrates that high it's probably not a new tank. I'm not sure what Melafix and Aquazole are. Can you give any more information? The 30% and then 10% water changes are a good idea. What sort of problems is the tank experiencing?

 

[Crystal]

oops, sorry, it is a 12gal tank.
(grrrr) he changes water once every week or two, a 15% change.

I know Melafix is an antibacterial, and I think his other med is for worms that he fish have. Although I could be wrong. I'd need to consult one of the other fish guys for that.

His tank has been up and running about 6-7 months he thinks.

 

[BobK]

Maybe the Melafix killed of some of your bio-filter. I'd do the water changes as you mentioned and test daily until ammonia and nitrates are 0 for several days in a row. Good luck.

 

[dixaisy930]

Melafix won't (or atleast shouldn't) hurt the biological filter. I'm not familiar with the other medicine...maybe that could be the culprit.

It sounds like the tank might be overstocked....do you have any idea the size and number of fish he has?