BIG ammonia problem and still a ph problem

[greywolf]

I copied this from the end of my last post under bettas. It was suggested it might go under here better. Thx for the suggestion, I didn't even realized it when I wrote there that it belonged here, lol. I'm soooo frazzled from the ammonia and PH problems in these tanks that I can't think straight to get the problems into words easily. Thx again Starlight for the suggest of moving it here.

I thought I had taken care of the ammonia level in the 10 gallon and come to find out that it was lower but not gone. TFP told me today to add some stress zyme and check again in a week if still high add another dose of ammonia elminator after a water change. I also checked ammonia levels in my 50 gallon take which houses an oscar and a pacu that were given to me by a friend who was no long able to take care of them due to her health. The level was so high that it was off the chart. I never had ammonia there before, n when i told TFP and told them that the fish were still acting normal she told me to do a 50 percent water change, use spring water and add some stress zyme n some ammonia eliminator, but that that tank would probably be that way until the pacu lived out his life cuz the tank was probably to small for him. Most are housed in 150 gallons r more n my friend was inexperienced when she got him n had no help with him. She just learned what she could. The fish in the 50 are 5 yrs old and until now have had no problems with the tank. So now along with the 10 gallon problem and not being able to fix it as fast as I would like, i now will be feeling guilty about the pacu's situtation cuz there is no way we can afford a bigger tank and besides our house probably couldn't handle a bigger tank. If there is anything else I could possibly do for either tank plz let me know. Thx again.

[greywolf]

I forgot to add that this morning when I checked the cory cat in the 10 gallon this morning. He seems to be doing better cuz his fin tip aren't white anymore, but now that he has started coming out from under the plants where I can really see him under the light. I have noticed that it seems he has little blisters cuz by the ammonia burn no doubt. I am still doing what I was told by TFP and he has been improving, but I decided to start leaving his light off except to check on him n to feed cuz I'm afriad it might add additionally stress, n the poor fellow is stressed enough. Any thing additionally I could do that u could suggest is greatly appreciated by me, my family, and our babies.
The fishes names r as followed n tank size:
Argus: Betta, in half gallon unfiltered cuz of 10 gallons conditions.
Dobby: Albino cory cat, in 10 gallon filtered, cycled tank.
Crazy: Pacu, in 50 gallon filtered, cycled tank.
Oscar: Oscar. in 50 gallon filtered, cylced tank.

[amanichen]

According to your other post, there's ammonia in your well water. The best thing to do is just let the tank cycle naturally (nitrifying bacteria will take care of the ammonia.)

Don't bother doing water changes...you should see the ammonia level come down on its own, after which the nitrite will peak, and then you'll see a bit of nitrate in there.

But, I wouldn't go about moving any more fish till you get a chemically sound water source. Don't try to do too many things at once.

[greywolf]

I lost the cory cat in the 10 gallon a little while ago, He had seem to be doing better than the blister looking spots showed up and a few hours later he was on his back swimming. I took him out and but him n a large bowl with a small filter and use the water I use for the betta's hex, but I think I was a little to late cuz I still lost him. The betta is stayin where he's at till the ten gallon is right. But should I empty the tank and clean it then set it up as a new tank? Or should I leave to cycle on its on like you told me to do both tanks? If it is best to clean it out and set up again how long should I cycle before I can put the betta in it? I will be leaving the big tank alone for now the fish in there are doing better than ever and the ammonia is down. I did an almost 75 percent water change on it yesturday. Thx so much.


Oh wanted to let you know that I found a sound water supply, its a natural spring about 5 miles from the house and all the test came out great except the PH which was 5.0, But I'm working on finding something to raise without hurting the fish. The stores here for some reason only sale stuff to lower PH not to raise it.

[amanichen]

greywolf said:

I lost the cory cat in the 10 gallon a little while ago, He had seem to be doing better than the blister looking spots showed up and a few hours later he was on his back swimming. I took him out and but him n a large bowl with a small filter and use the water I use for the betta's hex, but I think I was a little to late cuz I still lost him. The betta is stayin where he's at till the ten gallon is right. But should I empty the tank and clean it then set it up as a new tank? Or should I leave to cycle on its on like you told me to do both tanks? If it is best to clean it out and set up again how long should I cycle before I can put the betta in it? I will be leaving the big tank alone for now the fish in there are doing better than ever and the ammonia is down. I did an almost 75 percent water change on it yesturday. Thx so much.


Oh wanted to let you know that I found a sound water supply, its a natural spring about 5 miles from the house and all the test came out great except the PH which was 5.0, But I'm working on finding something to raise without hurting the fish. The stores here for some reason only sale stuff to lower PH not to raise it.

If you have an empty tank, leave as is.

If you have fish in a tank, start doing partial water changes with ammonia free water.