Ammonia in tank

[smokeythebair]

I have an established 125g tank with 3 eperor 450 filters on back. I never had a problem with ammonia before this. I went on vacation last week and before i went i took out to much bb by changing some filters and over gravel vaccing on accident. So i came home and my fish were staying on the bottom not eating so i figured ammonia. I tested it and the water was really bad 8ppm ammonia so i did a 75g wc. Today still high so i did another 75g change. Is there anything else i can do to get rid of it quicker?

 

[ThomasWest]

I've used Ammo-Lock by Aquarium Pharmaceuticals before and it helped a great deal with the fish. However, this product does NOT remove ammonia but it makes it non-toxic to the fish. It's worth the 8 - 10 bucks. I've heard Prime is another good product but have no experience with it.

Hope this helps.

 

[smokeythebair]

My dad took care of them when I was gone and said the water was cloudy so im guessing that was the bacterial bloom. Is the tank going to have to recycle now?

 

[anarekist]

usually just water changes untill your biofiltration is back up to snuff.

you can add ammo chips that will absorb the amonia but then your bio filtration will take longer to reestablish.

 

[smokeythebair]

Ya i know they have products that make it less toxic but does it really help the fish? Im always up in the air with adding chemicals just because i feel its a money game. I always use prime and salt but as far as ammonia lock, water clear stuff, and nitrate remover i think its a sales pitch. Did your really notice your fish better?

 

[smokeythebair]

Does the tank have to recycle? is this going to take me a month of wc, or will it go quicker sense i have good bb in there still? Thanks for the help sorry i just got back though and got a ton of work to do and don't have time for all this but my fish are my life so if i have to do wc at 1am i will.

 

[anarekist]

might have to go through a mini cycle, you cant really know unless you test your water often to make sure. feeding them less will help this process.

 

[lp85253]

dose every 48 hrs. with PRIME(FULL TANK...)this SHOULD DE- TOXIFY AMMONIA Keep up the waterchanges... this is when to dose PRIME GOOD LUCK...LEE

 

[smokeythebair]

Thanks. 75g a day change good? I know there isn't much bb in the water but by doing wc doesn't it make the cycle take longer?

 

[lp85253]

yes, you can do 75 a day ,and be ok ... a lot of work,,,, thats why I suggested every other day....just make sure to dose for whole tank..... it shouldnt slow down cycle... if you havent thought of it yet .. go REAL easy on feeding... fish wont be real hungry in all likelyhood ,and this will keep ammo down... do you have another tank running ?if so take filter media from other tank and SQEEZE IT IN THE WATER ... of the125 ... this may speed up cycle...