Water Figures Are These Ok?

[Wayne86]

Hi guys n gals ive now got a 64ltr tank with fluval u2 filter 100w heater bubble bar and stone gravel substraite and live planted only using jbl ferts done away with the 6 in 1 strips and brought a api master kit I've got the readings as follows from what I understand ammonia is still a tad high but is there anything else

ph 7.2 / 7.6
Nh3 nh4 0.50 1.00
No2 0
No3 0

 

[fantaman]

From where I see it your Ammonia is between 1.0 and 2.0 ppm....which is WAY too high. You will need to wait till the Ammonia comes below 0ppm to stock your tank. Remember that you will see a spike in Nitrite and Nitrate levels as the Ammonia gets converted. 

 

[DrSlackBladder]

What's your ammonia source?

 

[Wayne86]

I've got fish in the tank already have done for 3-4 weeks all seems fine in there aswell I've been using the paper strips see

 

[TallTree01]

Massive water changes are needed to lose that ammonia.

 

[Wayne86]

I did do about 80% water change yesterday because I had a move about with all the plants and cleaned the bottom

 

[DrSlackBladder]

You'll need to be doing that amount daily to save your fish from ammonia and/or nitrite poisoning.  Nitrite might be low now, but as soon as your ammonia begins to get converted by one type of bacteria in your filter, you'll hit the nitrite spike, which is even more toxic.  Only when you're getting constant zero ammonia and zero nitrite can you revert to a weekly water change routine to remove the final product of the nitrogen cycle; nitrates.  Was your liquid test result after or before the 80% water change?  What fish are in there now?

 

[fantaman]

Oh no!!!! 80% water change with fish in there is a big problem. You cant have their water shift so drastically. You should have done 25-50% water change every day for a few days possibly. If you arent adding Ammonia AND you did a 80% water change yesterday, I would suggest a 50% water change for the next few days.
Those poor fish must be so stressed.

 

[Wayne86]

How would you have a move about in your tank take the fish out isit??

 

[DrSlackBladder]

80% change is not a problem assuming you use temperature matched and dechlorinated water.  In fact, very large water changes each day until your cycle is complete is absolutely needed to limit the damage ammonia and nitrite will do to your fish.  How quickly toxic levels build up depends on whether your tank is fully stocked or not, which is why I asked what fish you have in there now.  If you only have say 1/4 stocking level, you could get away with 40% change every couple of days; but it also depends on how hardy your fish are, some are more tolerant of poor water quality than others.  So, what do you have in there?

 

[Wayne86]

You'll need to be doing that amount daily to save your fish from ammonia and/or nitrite poisoning.  Nitrite might be low now, but as soon as your ammonia begins to get converted by one type of bacteria in your filter, you'll hit the nitrite spike, which is even more toxic.  Only when you're getting constant zero ammonia and zero nitrite can you revert to a weekly water change routine to remove the final product of the nitrogen cycle; nitrates.  Was your liquid test result after or before the 80% water change?  What fish are in there now?

I have 9 harlequins 3 clown loach 3 gourami 1 betta 3 widow tetra 4 neon rainbow fish and the test was done after the water change

Sorry I keep missing your posts the water is temp matched and I use the tap safe

 

[DrSlackBladder]

Wow, your tank is overstocked too, about 200% I would say, even more if the gourami are adults.  And all tetra species should be in shoals of at least 6.  Can you return or rehome some of the fish?  Or get another or bigger tank?   That ammonia is building up very quickly with such overstocking, so I'd still recommend the 80% daily changes with temperature matched and dechlorinated water, and rehome half of the fish, otherwise they will die.  It's clear from your ammonia test result; with 1-2 ppm ammonia AFTER an 80% change, you had 5-10ppm ammonia before the change!!!!!  You're lucky not to have lost fish so far, but you will if you do not do massive daily water changes.  Just do it gently; the stress to the fish of the large water change will be nothing compared to the relief they will get from fresh water.  Sorry if it sounds harsh, just trying to help.  None of your fish will last long in such toxic water.

 

[fantaman]

WOW that's overstocked. +1 to drslackbladder.  

 

[DrSlackBladder]

Go do another 80% change now, if at all possible; your fish will thank you for it, it should take ammonia down to the 0.25-0.5ppm level.  This is still too high, but a massive improvement.  Then test and repost test results tomorrow to see how much ammonia has increased overnight.  Then do another 80% change tomorrow and think about rehoming half of the fish, either to a friend, your LFS or another/bigger tank.  Or if you have fish-keeping friends locally, ask for a piece of their mature filter media and cram it into your filter to speed up the bacteria colonisation.  Another option is to get an ammonia killing treatment, but that would just delay your cycle and not help when it comes to the nitrite spike.  Personally I'd steer clear of treatments and go with the daily water changes; read up on "fish-in cycles" and "stocking levels" on the web or on this forum.

 

[DrSlackBladder]

Hi.  How's your water and fish now?  Hope the advice on this forum hasn't scared you off!  Everyone on here is only trying to help.  Let us know how you're getting on!