Please help - tank disaster!

We are guessing you have both ammonia and nitrite at toxic levels in your tank. That has weakened your fish to the point where they picked up a bug. Doing water changes could be enough to turn the tide. As insurance getting some meds would be in order. But doing a big water change right now is the most important thing.
 
Ok. Tested all and the ph is low at 6.4 and 0 Ammonia. Nitrites are at >1ppm though. So doing a water change. Also got 3 more plants, so that may help it cycle faster. Thanks for all your help, will keep you updated.

I assume I should keep checking the water daily and doing partial water changes until the nitrites reach 0?
 
PH is not something to worry about. Just make sure it stays steady and doesn't bounce around.

Don't dump a bunch of chemicals in your tank.

Make sure you are using a dechlorinator like Prime when you do your water changes and do them weekly. Only do a 50% water change and make sure you are not killing your good bacteria. Do you have a vac?

Zero ammonia is good.
 
The dechlorinator I use is Aqua Safe with bio extract. That's the only chemicals I've used.

Did a 50% change, and retested nitrite levels were 0.2ppm. The snails have already come back out and are active, within 15 mins of changing the water. I thought I had bought 2 large plants but they were bundled, so there are LOTS of plants now! Hopefully that will help everything cycle.

Am I correct in assuming that I'm nearing the 'end' of the initial cycle since my ammonia is at 0?

Do I need to do daily water changes until the nitrites reach 0? And can I put my filter back in, since I'm done treating with Pimafix? I did go ahead and buy a bacterial med but haven't used it yet - and not sure if I should!

I assume by vaccuum you mean a siphon for the gravel? If so, that's what I use to change the water.
 
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Hmmmm. Why did you take the filter off? What kind of filter do you have?

How long have you had it up and running?

Is Aqua Safe the stuff with aloe?
 
By filter I mean the carbon part, because I was treating the fungus with Pimafix. The filter itself was up and running. The carbon was only out for the last week, and the tank has been up almost six weeks now.

I dunno if its aloe, just says bio extract.
 
I would keep checking for ammonia and doing water changes. Make sure you are cycled. I wouldn't mess with the filter media while you are cycling. You need the good bacteria that you have established.
 
Ok, sorry to keep asking the same thing - but should I put the carbon filter back in or not?

Todays water test: Ammonia 0, Nitrites .1

So the nitrites are down a bit. I think I will still do a 25% water change.

Good news is, the three remaining fish are doing lovely - active, great color, seem to be fine. Snails are better, although one is still quite sluggish. I check on him periodically and he responds quickly, so that is a good sign (I hope).

The tank also looks better overall. Thank you all for your help!
 
I have been told to only use the carbon when removing meds from the water although you can use it regularly too. Also if you are using meds at the moment don't use the carbon until the treatment period is up.
 
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