one day your water in a tank tests at 2.0 ammonia, 0.5 nitrites and nitrates are zero. What do you do? Why?

Answer 1

Immediately do a 25% partial water change. Also add Aquarium Salt (per package directions). Add an ammonia remover as well. Ammonia readings should be kept at 0.0. The partial water change will help in clearing the ammonia & nitrites. Do a 25% water change daily until the tests are more within normal range.

Answer 2

Your tank isn't cycled. Once the other two readings show 0 and nitrates show something, then it's cycled.

If this is an already established tank, already been cycled, then I'd guess that something killed off the beneficial bacteria in the tank/filter(antibiotics will do that). But, I would think there would still be some nitrates showing up. Do water changes of at least 20-25%, and do them weekly to avoid future problems.

Only chemicals I would recommend adding would be the Bio-Spira to instantly cycle the tank, or Prime which detoxifies the ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates, but doesn't remove them allowing the tank to continue cycling.

Answer 3

Do a 30-40% water change to help reduce the ammonia and nitrites and go get some BioSpira or Stability to quick cycle your tank. Your tank is cycling and all of your fish are in danger. If you can, take them back to the store and do a fishless cycle before they die (especially if you have neons or other really sensitive fish). Most fish will not survive a cycle, some danios are hardy enough but it will shorten their life span. Good luck.

Answer 4

You need to do a water change...somwhere between 25-50% in order to diluate the toxins in the water.
You can clear out the ammonia with zeolite...which you can easily find in both aquatic and pet stores.
Using aquarium salt will neutralize the nitrite from being absorbed into the fish's body. Then add in some stress zyme to speed up the natural biological filter in the tank and it will begin to remove the ammonia and nitrite for the long haul.

Answer 5

Did you let your tank cycle ?? Dont add fish till you do that or you will kill them. Do a 25 % water change ASAP. Watch that ammonia, thats very high. They sell this stuff callled amo-lock, it works very well.