water change question
- Thread starter Arizonagrace
- Start date
What is a "slight" ammonia problem? Is this tank newly set up? Ammonia problems can turn into nitrite problems. If you are treating the ich with meds then there is a problem with changing water because your reducing your meds. Best bet is to treat for ich with aquarium salt, add 1 tablespoon for each 5 gallons of water. You also will need to raise temp to 84 degrees(Depending on type fish) this treatment will need to be continued for 3 weeks.
You need to keep ammonia under .25ppm. So change your water as much as needed to achive this level. Make sure that you are adding the right amount of salt to the new water your putting in the tank(1 tablespoon per 5 gallons of new water).
Make sure you keep an eye on your nitrite levels too.
You need to keep ammonia under .25ppm. So change your water as much as needed to achive this level. Make sure that you are adding the right amount of salt to the new water your putting in the tank(1 tablespoon per 5 gallons of new water).
Make sure you keep an eye on your nitrite levels too.
Do you know why you have ammonia problems?
You need to find the root cause of the problem first. Filters too new, too many fish for the filter, overfeeding? Either way, unless the cause is fixed you will just have more problems down the track.
As for your question.. you can use BIG water changes as an emergency fix for Ammonia or Nitrite buildup. But if you have a reading of 0.5, a 50% water change will only drop it to 0.25, and you may have to do this every day. So it's not a long term solution, it can keep your fish alive in the short term though.
Also it's important to keep the ammonia level down when you have the temp raised to treat the ich, there is less oxygen in the warm water so the last thing you need is fish with ammonia damaged gills
Lastly, cut back on the feeding while you are sorting out the fitration, less ammonia released into the tank as fish poo will reduce the problem. 1/2 rations for a couple of weeks wont harm the fish and will reduce the ammonia problem.
Cheers
Ian
You need to find the root cause of the problem first. Filters too new, too many fish for the filter, overfeeding? Either way, unless the cause is fixed you will just have more problems down the track.
As for your question.. you can use BIG water changes as an emergency fix for Ammonia or Nitrite buildup. But if you have a reading of 0.5, a 50% water change will only drop it to 0.25, and you may have to do this every day. So it's not a long term solution, it can keep your fish alive in the short term though.
Also it's important to keep the ammonia level down when you have the temp raised to treat the ich, there is less oxygen in the warm water so the last thing you need is fish with ammonia damaged gills
Lastly, cut back on the feeding while you are sorting out the fitration, less ammonia released into the tank as fish poo will reduce the problem. 1/2 rations for a couple of weeks wont harm the fish and will reduce the ammonia problem.
Cheers
Ian
This is a tank 1 1/2 weeks old. I have a black molly that has ick. I have one of those heaters that won't allow you to control the heat, and it keeps my tank at only 76 degrees. The ammonia is usually under .25. I did one change (33%) yesterday before treating for ick, and added 2 tablespoons salt to a 10 gallon aquarium. I am treating with aquarisol. I also give my fish liquid vitamins in place of their food every other day or 3. I feed them a tiny bit (there are 2 mollies a danio, pleco and cat) each morning and night. Every 4th feeding, I hardly put anything at all in there for food.
I have removed the carbon portion of filter for treating them. Do I need to add an airstone and buy an adjustable heater? I will do whatever they need.
I have removed the carbon portion of filter for treating them. Do I need to add an airstone and buy an adjustable heater? I will do whatever they need.
OK, that explains the ammonia. A few too many fish for the new tank/filter. But time will fix that, and frequent water changes will help untill the filter gets established properly. (a few more weeks) Watch the nitrite level once the ammonia starts to drop and keep up the water changes untill both go away.
The warm water and salt does seem to be the best best treatment for ich, so maybe an adjustable heater is a good idea.
Cheers
Ian
I did another change of about 2 gallons of water this morning, and everyone is looking wonderful. Troy's spots are all gone and everyone is swimming around, although the catfish is hiding in an ornament which bothers me a bit. Actually worries me. I love that little guy. Named him jigsaw 'case his face looks like a jigsaw puzzle. I tested the ammonia, and it is 0. Woo hoo!
Arizonagrace;1323457; said:
It's not too many fish for an ESTABLISHED tank. but it's a lot for a small and completely new tank. You have to count the pleco and the catfish (Cory?) as well. It takes several weeks for the biological filter to start working properly, and thats why you are seeing ammonia buildup.
Keep doing the water changes and your fish should be OK
It's fairly normal for corys to hide a lot, they will be a lot bolder if they are in a group, but dont add any more untill your tank / filter settles down.
Also be aware that your pleco may grow to 18" long (depends what species you have). You might be moving into monster fish keeping sooner than you think
Cheers
Ian
Funny you should mention about my moving into a different tank. I discussed that earlier today. I figured I should have gone with a 29 gallon to begin with, but this was a gift, so I couldn't say no. Fortunately, there wasn't an argument about getting a bigger tank soon. I think he is okay with it so long as it lives in the water, doesn't purr or bark, and there is no sharing the bed with another pet. =))
I think he is okay with it so long as it lives in the water, doesn't purr or bark, and there is no sharing the bed with another pet. =))