What to do?

P

pwomble

AC Members
Oct 22, 2006
18
0
0
Lakeland, FL
We put our 29 gallon tank back into use about 3 weeks ago. That was before reading the forum here. In the past we did the fill up the water, put in something for the chlorine, then put in the fish and have not had any problems. So we started out this way again. We bought 4 goldfish and put them in the tank.

After the first four days 2 of them died. The other 2 seemed ok. A lot of swimming, eating, etc. After another week or so one of the two remaining fish died. That's when I started reading the forums and learning.

I've since bought an API test kit and a python. The first test 3 days ago was: 0 nitrite, 0 nitrate, ph 7.4, 8 amonia. Yes 8ppm! I did a 75% water change immediately. The amonia was down to 4 ppm. I think I know the answer but should I go ahead and do water changes to keep the amonia down to .25 or 0? The readings have been consistant since the water change.

Thanks!
Paul
 
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hi Paul and welcome to AC! Have you seen this article on cycling?
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84598

The only solution to a fish-in cycle (which is what you're doing) is LOTS and LOTS of water changes. I've gone through periods of doing 50% water changes twice a day for weeks on end. It's the only way. I don't trust things that claim to remove ammonia. They do detoxify ammonia (NH3) by adding a hydrogen ion to form the less toxic ammonium ion (NH4+), but that is consumed by the bacteria in the same way to form nitrite. Nitrite is even more toxic to fish and cannot be neutralized by chemical solutions. (Prime says it can detoxify nitrite, but exactly how is a mystery to even them!)

Also, make sure your tap water conditioner also treats chloramines. Most municipal water supplies are now using those instead of chlorine, because they are not removed through "aging".
 
plah831 said:
Also, make sure your tap water conditioner also treats chloramines. Most municipal water supplies are now using those instead of chlorine, because they are not removed through "aging".
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Boiling isn't even a solution any more either. Chloramine is stable above the boiling point of water, which means that boiling off pure water leaves the same amount of Chloramine in less water = higher concentration. Fun stuff, eh?
 
CaptnDan said:
Boiling isn't even a solution any more either. Chloramine is stable above the boiling point of water, which means that boiling off pure water leaves the same amount of Chloramine in less water = higher concentration. Fun stuff, eh?
Click to expand...
Word. I love chloramines because it's made aquarists amateur chemists! :D
 
Our water gets injected with gaseous chlorine.

Getting ready for another water change. Thanks!
 
Also, please read in the goldfish section about the proper sized tank for goldfish. It will amaze you when you learn that they can not live in a bowl. I did not know until I came to this forum. Good luck.
 
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