MonteSS
Members
Is the tank cycled?
I would do at least 25% water changes everyday till they are in check. Then as needed by test results.
...Bill
I would do at least 25% water changes everyday till they are in check. Then as needed by test results.
...Bill
DiscusnAfricans
Past President
Small daily water changes are your best bet. There are chemicals that claim to help, but I don't put any stock in them. Next bet is to find the source of the problem. Overstocking shouldn't create too much ammonia if you have a good bacteria colony established and have adequate filtration present. What type of filtration do you use? Check your gravel or sand bed too. Uneaten food or dead fish will create ammonia too. Reduce feedings, increase water changes, and continue to test.
BlondeFishGal
Members
I don't know what kind of fish you have in your tank, but you can also add in some plants...easy, floating stuff like water sprite will help b/c plants sorta "eat" the ammonia.
Well, that's a very simple way of saying it, but without getting into chemistry, it'll do
The water changes are still needed, but the plants to help alot and work amazingly well.
Well, that's a very simple way of saying it, but without getting into chemistry, it'll do
The water changes are still needed, but the plants to help alot and work amazingly well.
Thanks for all the answers
I have a penguin biowheel 330 filter (the kind that hangs on the back of the tank) and an undergraverl filter.
I use filter carbon and amo chips. I just put fresh ammo chips in today, that may have been part of the problem.
What exactly do you mean by is the tank cycled?
I have had it set up for a year or too now, so if you are referring to the bacteria it should be fine.
I have no bottom feeder, so the gravel i am sure is a mess. The problem is I have tons of convicts, and no one wants them.
Some of the fish also have some sort of fungus thing and eye cloud due to the ammonia i believe. any recommendations as to how treat this?
I have a penguin biowheel 330 filter (the kind that hangs on the back of the tank) and an undergraverl filter.
I use filter carbon and amo chips. I just put fresh ammo chips in today, that may have been part of the problem.
What exactly do you mean by is the tank cycled?
I have had it set up for a year or too now, so if you are referring to the bacteria it should be fine.
I have no bottom feeder, so the gravel i am sure is a mess. The problem is I have tons of convicts, and no one wants them.
Some of the fish also have some sort of fungus thing and eye cloud due to the ammonia i believe. any recommendations as to how treat this?
DiscusnAfricans
Past President
If the tanks been set up for a year, it should be cycled, but its not guaranteed. Certain things can wipe out entire bacteria colonies in a well-established tank. I'm not a big fan of the undergravel filters, but some people like them. One big problem is if you don't vacuum the substrate, pockets of anaerobic bacteria can build up and cause outbreaks such as the fungus or eye cloudiness you're observing. I have used the ammonia chips, but I'm not sure how well they work. For initial treatment raise the temp to between 80-82 and add some salt (someone else can chime in for the dosage). You may end up having to treat with antibiotics or fungal treatments, but see how they respond to heat and salt. Add aeration if the fish seem to be breathing heavy.
Tony
Alligator Snapping Turtle/Past Pres
Try Pimafix to treat the fungus. If this doesn't work, try Maracyn. Both should be available at the local box store.
SubMariner
Master Jedi & Past VP
I would get rid of that underground filter!
That's where all your ammonia has been building... My brother n law had one for years and his ammonia levels would spike up all the time. When he removed the underground filter it was like an atomic bomb of debris and junk underneath there.
As for your fish, their eyes and gills are burned from the ammonia and as of right now they are going to need fresh water and some Melafix to cool down the pain.
Eventually, there eyes will normalize, but that's all relative to you getting the water back to normal with good strong filtration and good bacteria to absorb the ammonia.
If you have anymore questions, just let us know, that's what we're here for))
Richard
That's where all your ammonia has been building... My brother n law had one for years and his ammonia levels would spike up all the time. When he removed the underground filter it was like an atomic bomb of debris and junk underneath there.
As for your fish, their eyes and gills are burned from the ammonia and as of right now they are going to need fresh water and some Melafix to cool down the pain.
Eventually, there eyes will normalize, but that's all relative to you getting the water back to normal with good strong filtration and good bacteria to absorb the ammonia.
If you have anymore questions, just let us know, that's what we're here for
))Richard
MonteSS
Members
If you do remove the undergravel filter (also I reccomend this) you may consider removing the gravel and using sand instead. This way uneaten food and waste sits on top and doesnt go below the substrate to rot.
...Bill
...Bill
Thanks for all the help!!
I put my last bit of Triple sulfa med. in tonight.
Should i put Melafix or pima fix in tomorrow after a water change??
Mela- says it is for fungus and Pima says it is for open wounds, damaged skin/fins
Which is better in this case?? Melafix?? (I have both on hand)
I will think about taking the undergravel filter out once i get rid of these convicts, and before i put new fish in.
THanks again
I put my last bit of Triple sulfa med. in tonight.
Should i put Melafix or pima fix in tomorrow after a water change??
Mela- says it is for fungus and Pima says it is for open wounds, damaged skin/fins
Which is better in this case?? Melafix?? (I have both on hand)
I will think about taking the undergravel filter out once i get rid of these convicts, and before i put new fish in.
THanks again
MonteSS
Members
PFS (Pool Filter Sand) works best. It is relatively clean and larger grain sizes that sink fast and wont clog the filter.
Much better for eartheaters(geos, gymnos) and smaller sifteing fish (apistos, rams) that take a mouthfull looking for food.
Look in the Yellow pages under "pools" or Pool suplies". About $10-15 for 50 pound bag.
Lowes or Home depot has sand for about $5 for 50#. Usually very dirty and takes hours of washing and still clouds tank. Alot of times smaller grained and stirs easily.
I have pavers sand from Lowes in one of my tanks. Larger grained sand with larger pebbles in it. Looks good but was very dirty and sharp edges not good for sifters.
...Bill
Much better for eartheaters(geos, gymnos) and smaller sifteing fish (apistos, rams) that take a mouthfull looking for food.
Look in the Yellow pages under "pools" or Pool suplies". About $10-15 for 50 pound bag.
Lowes or Home depot has sand for about $5 for 50#. Usually very dirty and takes hours of washing and still clouds tank. Alot of times smaller grained and stirs easily.
I have pavers sand from Lowes in one of my tanks. Larger grained sand with larger pebbles in it. Looks good but was very dirty and sharp edges not good for sifters.
...Bill
Tony
Alligator Snapping Turtle/Past Pres
Use whichever one that lists fungus... sorry, thought that Pima did fungus. May have swapped the two.
Is this the type of sand you are talking about?? http://www.acehardwareoutlet.com/ProductDetails.aspx?SKU=83029
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/cleaning_sand.php
Thanks again!!!
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/cleaning_sand.php
Thanks again!!!
You are right. It is Pima that is for fungus, i guesss i switched them in my mind from the time i looked and the time i wrote my question!
mchambers
Former CCA member
Ammo chips
Is it possible that using ammo chips is starving beneficial bacteria, so that you're not getting a fully cycled tank?
Is it possible that using ammo chips is starving beneficial bacteria, so that you're not getting a fully cycled tank?
Billy Rocket
Members
I would stop feeding for awhile.
SubMariner
Master Jedi & Past VP
You can treat with both Melafix and Pimafix.
