High Ammonia in Betta Tank

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Originally Posted by kriwu

Does your betta have a heater? 2.5 is a tad small for a betta, did you add him immediately without cycling the tank? If you have a fish in the tank and it's not cycled, you need to be changing and checking the water DAILY. Most people, while doing in-fish cycling will change about 25% per day until you get nitrite and finally nitrate readings. If you're using strips to test your water, I'd definitely suggest investing in a liquid test kit. They're about 30$ and are FAR more accurate.



Whoever told you that definitely doesn't know how to cycle a tank, you have to remove dirty water and replace it with clean, treated water. Your fish makes his dirt in there, you have to remove it, or the ammonia will build up and become fatal.

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No I haven't added a heater because the water is 78 degrees regularly, however I get paid Friday and was going to get one. I added him after 24 hours of running the tank. So, no cycling I guess :/

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Originally Posted by SCWood

No I haven't added a heater because the water is 78 degrees regularly, however I get paid Friday and was going to get one. I added him after 24 hours of running the tank. So, no cycling I guess :/

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Ok. I'd absolutely recommend reading the guide on cycling that I linked you, because cycling is absolutely essential to keeping fish, they will absolutely not survive long in an un-cycled tank. While you're researching that, I would suggest a large water change (about 50%) today and then a daily 25% while the cycle is establishing.

It can take anywhere from one to three weeks (generally) for a cycle to establish, if you add ceramic media or switch to using a sponge filter (the best for bettas, cheap, and REALLY great for cycling) it'll really help you build up the good bacteria you need for a healthy tank.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kriwu

Ok. I'd absolutely recommend reading the guide on cycling that I linked you, because cycling is absolutely essential to keeping fish, they will absolutely not survive long in an un-cycled tank. While you're researching that, I would suggest a large water change (about 50%) today and then a daily 25% while the cycle is establishing.

It can take anywhere from one to three weeks (generally) for a cycle to establish, if you add ceramic media or switch to using a sponge filter (the best for bettas, cheap, and REALLY great for cycling) it'll really help you build up the good bacteria you need for a healthy tank.

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Where can I get a sponge filter?

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Originally Posted by SCWood

Where can I get a sponge filter?

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I get mine from eBay, they're suuuper cheap, although you will need to also get an air pump for them, which is like 10$.

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Originally Posted by kriwu

I get mine from eBay, they're suuuper cheap, although you will need to also get an air pump for them, which is like 10$.

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Okay! In the mean time, how can I keep Pescado alive? He seems better in a bowl of clean water. I need a better place to put him. I have a small container I was temporarily housing a plant in. Could he use that?

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Originally Posted by SCWood

Okay! In the mean time, how can I keep Pescado alive? He seems better in a bowl of clean water. I need a better place to put him. I have a small container I was temporarily housing a plant in. Could he use that?

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Whatever you use, make sure it's very clean - use hot water but NO soap or other cleaners. Make sure it's at LEAST three gallons, and give him some plants or other hides to feel safe in while he's in QT. Change his water daily and keep it in the right temp range, and keep an eye on him. Look for signs of irritation, fin rot, or black gills, because all of those are signs of ammonia poisoning. He should be okay as long as you keep your water clean and get that cycle set up.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kriwu

Whatever you use, make sure it's very clean - use hot water but NO soap or other cleaners. Make sure it's at LEAST three gallons, and give him some plants or other hides to feel safe in while he's in QT. Change his water daily and keep it in the right temp range, and keep an eye on him. Look for signs of irritation, fin rot, or black gills, because all of those are signs of ammonia poisoning. He should be okay as long as you keep your water clean and get that cycle set up.

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Is there treatment for poisoning?

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by SCWood

Is there treatment for poisoning?

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Clean water!! Make sure your parameters are spot on (0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 5-10 nitrate) and the temps are correct (78-82). I bought a very, very ammonia poisoned fish from Petco a few years ago (curse those small cups) - and he's still very healthy and happy because I've had him in a cycled 5gallon this whole time. Fish are very hardy creatures, but you have to be diligent with water parameters.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kriwu

Clean water!! Make sure your parameters are spot on (0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 5-10 nitrate) and the temps are correct (78-82). I bought a very, very ammonia poisoned fish from Petco a few years ago (curse those small cups) - and he's still very healthy and happy because I've had him in a cycled 5gallon this whole time. Fish are very hardy creatures, but you have to be diligent with water parameters.

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Okay so frequent water changes are good?

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Originally Posted by SCWood

Okay so frequent water changes are good?

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They're not only good, they're necessary to keep the water clean. Once you do have a cycle established, it's pretty much a rule of thumb to do weekly changes/water tests to keep the cycle going and your fish healthy.

Without water changes, the ammonia and nitrites/nitrates would build up to very dangerous levels. It's actually the most common killer of fish (especially for those fish wrongly kept in vases and bowls).