Help, I need info very fast

[pookandpaul]

My ammonia has spiked, I lost one guppy last night. I have not had any problem until today. up to 1 part/million. fish are starting to look sick. Went and got prime and put it in still no change. Did 50% water change w/prime and still no change. what should i do?

Only have 3 guppies and 2 platys, real plants. 3rd week of cycling

 

[OrionGirl]

Is the ammonia still testing at 1 ppm? If the level remained elevated for a while, even low levels, it causes stress and the fish will require some time to recover--it won't be a magic bullet to perform the water change. However, keeping up with the water changes, and treating as needed for chlorine/chloramines will result in improvements, just not immediately.

 

[pookandpaul]

yes, it is the same. The fish looked stressed, guppy's tail not fanned out and platy's acting skittish. What should I do next, I tested tap water and it is 2 pm. Can I go buy some water until the tap water returns to normal. Like I said I did not have this problem until now and I'm in my third week. Nitrites are 0.

 

[OrionGirl]

The tapwater is 2 ppm? Goodness--that's well above tolerable levels! Do you have chlorine or chloramine treatment?

However, in the mean time, you can purchase water to use instead. Many LFS will sell filtered (not RO) water, and drinking bottled water is acceptable as well, but you'll want to make sure it's not a dramatic variance from what you have now. While you can treat for ammonia, I'd be concerned that the ammonia in the tapwater is accompanied with something else.

 

[platesnc]

add in more prime (twice recommended dosage) after doing a 50% water change. Check ammonia readings and change again daily until the readings drop