bad test readings/ water changes?

[Linda S]

29 gal Heavily planted 2 angels, 6 neons, 6 black neons 5 corries, amano shrimp electricity went out filters did not re start when electricity came back on, damaged bb, I have mini cycle now
pH 6.4
NH3/NH4 .25ppm
NO2 .25ppm
NO3 10 ppm

I am doing a 50 % water change after I post this. How often over the next few days do I need to do tests, and water changes? TIA linda

 

[snoopy65]

As many as it takes to keep the Ammonia and Nitrites at 0.

 

[ODPILOT]

First, throw out all the old filter medium, floss and charcoal, because it's probably growing BAD anaerobic bacteria after the power outage. Start with new floss and new charcoal. Don't want to shock the fish with too much of water change, so just change 2gallons a day until ammonia back to zero -- make sure you're siphoning out from the gravel -- and get out lots of fish poops and uneaten food. The glass, gravel, ornaments -- all surfaces will likely still have enough nitrifying bacteria to rapidly get things under control -- so don't worry too much about it. Most fish can tolerate a little ammonia for a few days.

 

[Rbishop]

Do not throw out the media! BB can live a lot longer than you think...do clean the substrate and do water changes as necessary to keep ammonia and nitrites at 0.

 

[fishorama]

Use Prime or other ammonia locking conditioner, Prime works on nitrite too. But keep up the water changing. the API test will still show ammonia but it will be in the less toxic ammonium form. I also is good your pH is below 7, that helps with ammonia too. Good luck

 

[Linda S]

thank you Mr Bishop, and others