ammonia way too high

Did you get Prime? You have got to get Prime. Every water change you do, you may need to do the emergency dose until you get the ammonia levels down.

According to the instructions on the bottle you can dose 5 times the normal dose in emergencies to detoxify the ammonia, and the same goes for when the nitrites appear.

I've never had any adverse consequenses from using the emergency dose, and I do believe that it has saved my fish from injury when I've had unexpected spikes.

Those levels of ammonia are extremely dangerous for your fish. You have got to keep doing water changes to bring those levels down.

As soon as you can - get the API master test kit. The strips aren't accurate. I've been there, too. Started with the strips, but they don't give an accurate reading.

Hang in there, and I'm wishing the best for you and your fishies.
 
Prime is a good idea, and so is ammolock, but really get yourself some established media as soon as you can. My offer stands.
 
OK 75% water change complete - dechlorinator added to fresh water prior to being added to tank (looked at dechl. bottle, does not state anything about ammonia)

I use a siphon tubing to remove tank water and vacuum gravel. I then have a clean 10 gallon bucket (had salt in orginally from local fish shop) to refill my tank. I tested water after dechlorinator from the bucket prior to being added to the tank and the ammonia level was 0. Water temp same as before water change.

Here are my water levels post water change: using API liquid test kit

pH 7.8
ammonia 2.0 to 4.0 (color green is lighter than before)
nitrites 0
nitrates 0

Anything else? Should I do another water change tomorrow?
I saw some feces vacuumed out, but not a lot. Fish have not been fed. Have not added ammo-lock but one time. Should I add some now? Got some "Cycle" brand chemical, should I add?

Thanks
 
luluespy said:
pH 7.8
ammonia 2.0 to 4.0 (color green is lighter than before)
nitrites 0
nitrates 0

Anything else? Should I do another water change tomorrow?

Thanks
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I know this is a lot of water changes, but you should really try to do enough changes to keep the ammonia level under 0.25, for the sake of the fish.
 
I would add ammo-lock and do another big water change as soon as you can in the morning or early as possible tomorrow if you can't do another one tonight. You need to try get the ammonia down to .25 if possible. Even .25 is bad for the fish; ideally it would be below .25.

I'm not as familiar with ammo-lock, but I've heard that it is good.

I used to use Cycle when I first started, but it is iffy that there are any bacteria in it due to improper handling.

If you take the lid off and sniff it and it is stinky then there's a possibility that there are live bacteria. If there's no smell at all then it is doubtful.

If you can, get Prime as soon as possible. I've been reading posts and threads on this forum every day for months and I can't tell you how many times I read about Prime and how it detoxifies the ammonia and nitrite.

Your fish need it badly. Again, I don't know if ammo-lock is as effective, but I do know Prime is a life saver.
 
How are you and your fishies this morning? I hope all is well.
 
hi everyone.

Got some VERY used filter cartridges from my local tropical fish shop, put them yesterday, did not change water per their instructions. I tested the levels a few minutes ago(about 27 hrs after used filters added):

ammonia 2.0 (yeah it is going down!!!)
nitrites 0
nitrates 0

Do you think I should change the water tonight or wait until tomorrow?
Thanks
 
Oh the fish seem to be doing good - have not fed, but they are acting as if they are starving. Doing my best trying not to fed
 
sniff it and it is stinky then there's a possibility that there are live bacteria. If there's no smell at all then it is doubtful.
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Common misconception Melody - your filters don't smell stinky, do they? Glad to hear the fish are better - give the sponges a good squeeze out in the tank - don't worry about the haze. The bacteria will consume ammonia and settle in your filter and on the glass/gravel and massively speed up your cycle :).
 
6.5x55 said:
Common misconception Melody - your filters don't smell stinky, do they? Glad to hear the fish are better - give the sponges a good squeeze out in the tank - don't worry about the haze. The bacteria will consume ammonia and settle in your filter and on the glass/gravel and massively speed up your cycle :).
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LOL, You're right!! My filters don't stink. I never thought of that.

On the ammonia level and water changes. I'd do as many as needed to get the ammonia down to .25 or less would be best.

I can't stress enough how much you would benefit (your fishies health that is, and your nerves) if you could get some Prime. It is a lifesaver.
 
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