DU Aquarium owners: How do I deal with spike in ammonia levels?

[LTR]

Just re-did my aquarium last week, since my big ol' fish died and I couldn't bare to part with the Plecostamus (sole survivor). I kept 1/3 of the old tank water, and dechlorinated the new water.

I went out and bought some simple creatures. Two Tiger Barbs, a little Gold Barb and a Cherry Barb, a Dalmation Molly, two African Dwarf Frogs, and I added three Ghost Shrimp to do the housecleaning.

So everything's going fine for the first few days. Then the little Cherry Barb died. Today, all hell broke loose. Everybody's swimming at the top of the tank (even the shrimp). Then the bigger Tiger Barb had a seizure and died suddenly. And one of the shrimp died as well.

I took a water sample to the pet store to analyze, and the ammonia levels are pretty high. I came home and added some drops to the tank (recommended) that are supposed to clean up the ammonia and the cloudiness.

How long does this process take? The water's still cloudy and the fish and shrimp are still skimming the top of the tank. Is there anything else I can do short of changing the water (would rather wait to do this, as to not disturb the fish and mess up the biological balance)?

Any help would be appreciated, before it's too late. My poor fish are counting on it. Thanks.

[NMDemDist2]

1. sounds like the bio balance is already out of whack and bad

what kind of filter do you use?

edit to add: is you have a charcol filter, change the charcol pronto

have you had any critters "disappear"?? if so you may have a decomposing body stuck somewhere that is adding to the problems

usually a water fix takes several hours and you need to change the filter media ASAP to give it the extra punch to deal with the added strain. But why is it straining? you need to find the source..

[LTR]

2. Whisper carbon cartridge filter

Removeable cartridges.

I clean the intake hose on it every week or so.

[NMDemDist2]

5. what is your bio farm? under gravel?

i had lots of trouble until I got a "biowheel" filter system such as this one..

http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441776829&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302030059&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023693&bmUID=1090633151159


edit to add: i had lots less trouble and they were a breeze to maintain. I could also get rid of the undergravel grate thing that was soo icky and never lost another fish down the tube

be sure to get one that has the bio wheel and the charcol bag thingies that all fit in the main unit, and buy plenty of spare to keep around. The other cool thing about them is that you have an instant "waterfall" sound

[LTR]

6. I'll get one tomorrow

Hate my current filter.

[Nite Owl]

3. Been a while since

I did the aquarium thing but is there any thing dead in the gravel? I remember something about adding charcoal to the filter and using an aerator--one of those little stone looking thingys attached to a little pump.

[Deja Q]

4. 2/3rds water change is way too much... here are some products...

There are products that will absorb ammonia and nitrites. But that will increase the nitrate level. Nitrates aren't nearly as bad but will catch up with you eventually...

Also look for products that will add beneficial bacteria to the water. "Cycle" is a good one. Get the largest bottle you can find and do what the directions say for "new tank" (that muc hwater change is akin to a new tank setup)

Get "Stress Coat" and add it to the water as well, it might help the fish.

If the stores are open, go NOW.


What's the tank capacity in gallons? And do you have a bio-wheel type filter as well?

[Bertha Venation]

7. Daily water change 10% -- only way I know to deal w/ ammonia spike

All I can suggest is frequent (like daily) water changes of about 10% until the cycle has run. AFAIK this is the ONLY way to cope w/ a huge spike in ammonia. (Some say even 25% daily for spike.)

As a beginner I killed many fish (and I grieve) before I pulled my head out and read about The Cycle. (Not saying you need to pull your head out! I was totally ignorant and lame.) Any way you can take a few of the critters back until your tank cycles again?

You might also post your question on some of the many fish fora there are out there. If you need, I can post some links for you.

[LTR]

8. Understand about the 'pulling head out' statement

I figured I might lose a few fish starting out (luckily they were cheap - the Tiger Barbs were the most expensive at just under $5 each).

I'm off to get a bio-filter and Cycle tomorrow.

I hope the frogs are okay. They seem to be doing well.

So far, I added the anti-ammonia drops, and it's working a little (nitrates and nitrites are down). Added some more Stress Coat as well. The fish and shrimp are circulating a little more now, although the water is still kinda cloudy and has a slight odor. Hopefully, everyone makes it through the night.

I may hit a few more aquarium boards tonight. Recommend some good ones?

[Bertha Venation]

9. Sounds like you've got a good handle on it.

The board I go to is http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/

The same site has quite a list of other boards:
http://www.aquariacentral.com/web/Services/Discussion_Boards/

Good luck!

[LTR]

10. Update

Everybody made it throught the night.

I went to Petco and bought the Penguin BIO-wheel filter this morning, along with a bottle of Cycle.

The fish are back to swimming around in the tank, and no longer skimming the top. Looks like the ammonia levels are dropping. Lots of activity in the tank, and morale is up.

I'm going to wait until tomorrow to siphon some crud out of the tank. I'll let everyone relax a bit.

Thanks for all your help, gang!