Help! My tank's in trouble?

Question

My ammonia level is .5 and the temp is 77F. I don't have any ph strips so I can't check that till tomorrow. I have these chemicals: Cycle, Nitraban, and Ammo Lok. What can I do to save my fish?

It's a 5 gallon tank with 5 Tiger Barbs.

Fingernail size Tiger Barbs.

Answer 1

20% water change. Temp sounds fine. pH is probably low due to high waste content, but the water change will help that too.
I'd use the Cycle to help speed up the cycling process if this is a new tank, as it cuts the cycling time by about 30% in my experience. You need a much bigger tank, more like a 20 or 29 for these fish.

Answer 2

Did you properly cycle your tank prior to putting in new fish? Tiger barbs would not be a good cycling fish. I use zebra danios. Also 5 tiger barbs in a 5 gallon tank is 4 too many. Do you have a good filtration system?

Answer 3

A water change is your best option. Don't rely on chemicals - they don't address the problem and allow both the chemicals and bound ammonia to accumulate in the tank.

Capt - gave some good advice as well about the effects of combined ammonia and pH, but he's given the wrong remedy - baking soda will raise the pH, not lower it, so please don't add this to your tank!

Answer 4

Lower pH below 7.0 (Use baking soda: 1 teaspoon per 3 gallons or so), Do a 25 - 50% water change, and there are chemicals you can buy to neutralize ammonia. Also, discontinue or reduce feeding for a few days.

If the ammonia level rises above 1 ppm, begin treatment immediately. Lowering the pH of the water will provide immediate relief, as will a 50% water change (be sure to use water that is the same temperature as the aquarium). Several water changes within a short period of time may be required to drop the ammonia to below 1 ppm.
If the fish are in severe distress, the use of a chemical to neutralize the ammonia is recommended. Feedings should be restricted so that additional waste is reduced. In cases of very high ammonia levels, feedings should be discontinued for several days. No new fish should be added until the tank until the ammonia and nitrite levels have fallen to zero.

Because ammonia toxicity is linked to the pH, testing of both ammonia and pH levels are critical. Ammonia becomes increasingly toxic as the pH rises above 7.0. Because there are so many variables, there is no magic number to watch for. However, there are general guidelines to follow.

At a level of level of 1 ppm or 1 mg/l, fish are under stress, even if they don't appear in acute distress. Levels even lower than that can be fatal if the fish are exposed continuously for several days. For that reason it is critical to continue daily testing and treatment until the ammonia drops to zero. When ammonia is elevated for a long period, it is not unusual to lose fish even after the ammonia levels start to drop.

Good luck!

Answer 5

Well, just a little something extra. Your Tiger Barbs are going to grow, and if you currently have five in a five gallon tank, it is going to be too small very quickly. A good rule of thumb is 1 gallon of water for every inch of fish.

Answer 6

The amonia isn't that bad, so dont panic. Do you have swimmingpool strips? they work just as well.

Put a dab of water purifier, and some nitraban. Just a bit though. Do not feed your fish, this'll make the amonia worse. While you watch your fish, keep the lid up so the amonia vapor can escape and wont be put back in your tank.

Answer 7

Do a water change using your gravel siphon if you have one.You could probably remove about 30% of your water .

Answer 8

NO CHEMICALS. Just do a water change, and get a bigger tank