Ammonia too high?

Question

About a week ago I lost one of my fish. Since this happned the ammonia in my tank has been very high. Between 1-2 I've been doing 20% water changes daily(gravel vac style), I've rinced off my filter hoping that would help. I've added in amo-lock. And put in some Aquarium salt just so my other fish would not die from any paracites. Nothing seams to be working.I'm thinking maybe I'm doing to much of a water change and their is no healthy bacteria The ammonia in the tank is the only thing that is not normal. Every thing else is fine. I've had the tank for about 8 weeks so I would not think cycleing has anything to do with it. Please help I don't want to lose any more fish.

Answer 1

You're doing everything correctly - the Ammo-Lock and daily water changes are your key right now. The Ammo-Lock will convert your ammonia into a non-toxic form for your fish, but IT WILL STILL SHOW UP ON YOUR AMMONIA TESTER! Few people seem to realize this.

Daily water changes are necessary right now to try to lower your ammonia levels. The bacteria that convert the ammonia into nitrite then to nitrate grow on solid surfaces - gravel, decorations, in the filter, on the glass, etc. It does not grow in your water, and by doing daily water changes, you will not deplete any of your beneficial bacteria.

It sounds like you're going through a "mini-cycle"; this will happen from time to time if you use any different chemicals or, in your case, if a fish dies and may not be noticed for a couple of days.

Is your tank showing any nitrite or nitrate? What is your pH at?

Don't rinse your filter until the ammonia starts going down. Also, concentrate more on changing your water than vacuuming the gravel (ideally, you should only be vacuuming 50% of the gravel every week). And when you do choose to rinse your filter media, you should ideally be using water you take out of your tank, as it is the same temperature and pH, and it's already dechlorinated.

As long as none of your fish are considered scaleless fish (corydoras cats, all tetras, among others), you should be ok with the salt, but it really isn't necessary at this point. The biggest thing to worry about is ammonia poisoning. And as long as you keep on top of your daily water changes and adding the Ammo-Lock with every water change, you and your fish will get through this.

If your local pet store carries it, look into getting BioSpira. This is the ONLY product available on the market that sells live bacteria. It must be kept refrigerated, and it is rather difficult to find. If you do find it, add the full dose recommended for your tank. In theory, you shouldn't have to worry about your ammonia/nitrite/nitrate levels after a day or two.

Good luck!

Answer 2

When you say you "lost' a fish. Did you find the body? If the body is still there then it can be causing the high ammonia.

Did you use any products like Febreeze in the room? You might have killed off your good bacteria. Did you rinse your filter media off with untreated tap water? Again you may have killed bacteria off.

Do you have another established tank? You can use some gravel from it. Or go to the fish store and see if they will give/sell some dirty media from their tanks (or maybe squeeze one off into a plastic bag with water). Failing that, look for bio-spiria at the fish store to restore some bacteria.

Answer 3

Ammonia should be zero if the tank is cycled. Then nitrite will spike, then hit zero. Next will be nitrate which you will remove through water changes. What kind of filter do you have? And if you rinse anything from the tank (gravel, bio-wheel, decor) make sure you rinse it in tank water because untreated tap water will kill the good bacteria.
Here's a site that should help: http://www.geocities.com/shtinkythefish/basic.htm

Answer 4

when you "rinsed" the filter, did you rinse it in tapwater as the chlorine in tapwater will kill all the bacteria in your filter.

how much are you feeding the fish? overfeeding while having a high amount of amonia will only produce more amonia.