46g trouble (please help)

[flamer]

I went to petsmart yesterday to get a fish for my 46g, and I knew exactly what I wanted. 3 long-finned Zebra Danioand 3-4 Neon tetras. but, there is some ammonia and it's hanging around .15, .25. The guy at petsmart said to leave it be for a couple of days and see if it spikes, and if it doesn't, THEN get a fish.

but my dad (not the best fish expert, but I trust him enough) wanted a fish to get the biological side of the filter going. any suggestions to get rid of ammonia?

 

[jhutch]

Put something cheap in the tank to help cycle it. Your dad may not be an expert but he is right. You can buy stuff to get rid of ammonia like AmmoLoc but I have always used cheap fish. Easy and if the fish dies it's not a big loss. Most likely in a tank that size the fish won't die and your tank will be ready in a day or two.

 

[Mystus Redtail]

Big water changes, like 70%. Do you have some established media that you could put into the filtration for the 46?


BTW why did you post in the African Cichlids subforum if you were going to get danio's and tetra?

 

[gunner36]

yeah I would listen to your dad. But I usually dont listen to the people at petsmart, or petco because generally they have no clue what they are talking about.

I usually cycle my tanks with tiger barbs, they are cheap, and tough. Just make sure whatever fish you do your fish cycle with will get along with what you plan on getting in the future.

 

[flamer]

Put something cheap in the tank to help cycle it. Your dad may not be an expert but he is right. You can buy stuff to get rid of ammonia like AmmoLoc but I have always used cheap fish. Easy and if the fish dies it's not a big loss. Most likely in a tank that size the fish won't die and your tank will be ready in a day or two.

I have ammo-carb in the filter now. and I saw some goldfish that were like, 14 cents eac.

Big water changes, like 70%. Do you have some established media that you could put into the filtration for the 46?


BTW why did you post in the African Cichlids subforum if you were going to get danio's and tetra?

and I don't know why I did that, I was already in here, and I was lazy. don't be suprized if it get's moved.

 

[flamer]

NNNOOO!!! the ammonia is spiking! what was .25 is now .5-1.00!!! HELPPP!!!

 

[hailmike]

sounds like your tank isn't done cycling or is recycling. take out the fish you want to keep, add ammoloc or put the bags of ammonia remover into your filter and add cheap fish to help it cycle.

 

[tcarswell]

Dont use ammo lock ! Ride it out . Your tank is establishing bio media. How old is it ? If you used ammo lock when you were cycling you would never have finished the cycle or stabilized your tank its hard on BB when you clear out all its food once or twice a day.

 

[flamer]

my tank I got for xmas. it was the ggravel and the rock ornament that came. my grandfather bought it used, so you fill in the rest.

I got new gravel for it, and there is nothing but water in it. we did a 100% water change while we were at it, too. I think we'll test it in a few days, I'll update then. thanks for the help!

and btw, I have ammo-carb in the filter now, and the filter is the Emporor 280 BioWheel.

 

[flamer]

I tested the ammonia and there is none. the Ph and Nitrite are fine too. thanks for your help guys!