A bit of a mess up - 1st week with fish

I really appreciate all the help! =D

I drain with a python and fill with a bucket.

Yes, I could fill with the python, but I really don't feel comfortable doing it yet with the fish in the tank. Plus, it is only 20 gallons. I will likely fill with the python once I set up the bigger tank (150 gallons).

*edit: Ammonia: a hair above 3 ppm. Fish stick hanging at the top of the tank, so will do another 25% change.*
 
Remember that fish survive in creeks where all of the water is being changed all the time. Heavily planted lakes go through huge daily pH swings. It is really TDS we want to keep pretty stable. It needs to be stable on the order of days.

I would do 90% water change and see where you are at. While the bacteria are motile they prefer to colonize into a biofilm. You can find it in the water column but that is not where it watns to be.

Check your tap water for ammonia. You may have some there.
 
If you are using Prime, the ammo you read isn't hurting the fish.

Test your tap to see what you may be starting with.

Are you using a good liquid test kit?

What fish do you have in there and what is the temp of the tank?

How long has thistank been established?

Don't worry about your pH right now.
 
0 ammonia in tap from yesterday's test. I did think to check that.

I am fairly certain the source was uneaten food/excessive waste from the fish. I am to blame there. I was rather busy when I fed them when i got home from work. I should wait to a more suitable time to sit and watch them better. Probably after my daily walk.

*edit
Temp is set 78.6.
Tank has been established a week.
liquid test kit
Just started using Prime. Ammo-Lock was before today.
 
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Well, after 3 changes (~25% each) I am down to 1.5 ppm ammonia and will just monitor from this point. Not that cloudy but ammonia may stilll be on the rise.

I figured Prime converted to ammonium so if Ammo Lock does this too, I should be fine... Provided, I am more careful in feeding the fish... They aren't getting any food tomorrow.

Guess time will tell, but hope not wake up to 6 ppm ammonia again. They seem better and are swiming in the mid level, well except the one bottom dwelling platy (LOL, she prefers it there at the moment and is a bit shy).

Thanks for the wealth of information and advice. I will do further water changes if the ammonia gets too high 4ish or above range.
 
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Your tank has not been established a week. Established is when the cycle has completed and your water paramters are healthy. It can take 6 weeks to cycle a tank and longer on a fishy cycle. Since you are working you can do a 50% every other evening after work unless the ammonia gets too high. With a 20 gallon tank you "should" be ok. You will be able to cut back after you see nitrates forming. Nitrites are not as lethal as ammonia unless they get too high.

What you are experiencing is why fishless cycling is recommended over fishy cycling. Fishless will also complete in a shorter time as water changes aren't as critical during the early stages. Setting up the first tank is where you start to lose interest because of all the work involved. Hang in there and learn from all your mistakes. The next setups will go much easier as you advance in the hobby. This is a continuously evolving hobby and what we learn today might be obsolete a year from now.
 
IMO, I would still be doing 50% water changes daily with prime. That ammonia is still way too high, it should be 0, since your ph is high then I believe that the ammonia is more likely to be the more toxic form as well.

If the tank is only 1 week old then it probably isn't fully cycled. You might see nitrites spike which is worse so maintain those daily water changes (can go down to 25% after ammonia is 0) for awhile.

Although the fish are alive, they might have problems later because of being exposed to such high levels of ammonia so be vigilent about their care. Your ph is fine, platies like hard water so that is great for them.
 
Oh, I think I better explain.

The tank is like 8 weeks old and it has been cycled by the methods of the fishless cycling thread. It converted 5 ppm ammonia to 0 ppm and nitrites to 0 ppm in less than 24 hours. A 90 percent water change was performed before adding fish.
A regular water conditioner was used during cycling. Ammo-Lock was used after completion. I am now using Prime based on the advice here.

So, I mean I have been fully established for just 1 week... fishless cycle and + 1 week with fish. Hope that clears that up.
 
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