High Ammonia in Betta Tank

Hi! I'm having a lot of trouble getting my tank to balance. My one fish's tank is extremely high in ammonia and when I came home he was laying on his side. I removed him and put him in clean water and he seems better but I'm freaked out. I was told not to touch the water but I know the only way to gee t rid of ammonia is to change it so I removed 25%. Anything else I can do?

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Not trying to come off as rude but you do realize your on a forum based about reptiles and even ball pythons in particular, right? Your best bet will be to register on here > http://www.fishlore.com/fishforum/

You could add prime or some other ammonia binder/remover. Is this a new uncycled tank? Do you have a stable setup tank you can get some good bacteria from?

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Originally Posted by MrGriffyn

Not trying to come off as rude but you do realize your on a forum based about reptiles and even ball pythons in particular, right? Your best bet will be to register on here > http://www.fishlore.com/fishforum/

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I know but this is a subforum and there's a lot of people here so I figured I could ask..

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Originally Posted by GoingPostal

You could add prime or some other ammonia binder/remover. Is this a new uncycled tank? Do you have a stable setup tank you can get some good bacteria from?

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This is a new tank. We have 2 and only one is doing this so no :/ no way to get the bacteria. I used Quick Start but it didn't help

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Originally Posted by GoingPostal

You could add prime or some other ammonia binder/remover. Is this a new uncycled tank? Do you have a stable setup tank you can get some good bacteria from?

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Actually, prime mostly neutralizes chloramine and chlorine, to remove ammonia from the water you need to do a water change. Your tank cycle has either crashed or was never established. What are you using to test your parameters, and what are they exactly? If the ammonia is "extremely high" I would suggest doing at LEAST a 50% water change. It would also help to know what size tank you are using and how long it's been established.

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Originally Posted by SCWood

This is a new tank. We have 2 and only one is doing this so no :/ no way to get the bacteria. I used Quick Start but it didn't help

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Quick start doesn't do anything, don't buy it, it's a scam. Bacteria doesn't have a shelf life and it can't live in a bottle. The only way to establish a cycle is to use pure ammonia or in-fish cycling. Here's a great guide on cycling.

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Originally Posted by kriwu

Actually, prime mostly neutralizes chloramine and chlorine, to remove ammonia from the water you need to do a water change. Your tank cycle has either crashed or was never established. What are you using to test your parameters, and what are they exactly? If the ammonia is "extremely high" I would suggest doing at LEAST a 50% water change. It would also help to know what size tank you are using and how long it's been established.

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Okay, so it's 2.5 gallons with a filter. It's been running 2.5 weeks now. I added stress coat and quick start when I added my water and changed 10% a week later and added pre-mixed water. I took my water in to test it. All of my parameters look great except PH is low (not sure exactly but under 7.8) and ammonia turned the strip dark green and said DANGER under the chart. I usually have it tested at work weekly and I'm so tired I sound like and idiot and can't remember the numbers

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Originally Posted by kriwu

Actually, prime mostly neutralizes chloramine and chlorine, to remove ammonia from the water you need to do a water change. Your tank cycle has either crashed or was never established. What are you using to test your parameters, and what are they exactly? If the ammonia is "extremely high" I would suggest doing at LEAST a 50% water change. It would also help to know what size tank you are using and how long it's been established.

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The thing is I was told NOT to change my water. That 'the cloudiness will go away just leave it alone'. But it only got worse

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Originally Posted by SCWood

Okay, so it's 2.5 gallons with a filter. It's been running 2.5 weeks now. I added stress coat and quick start when I added my water and changed 10% a week later and added pre-mixed water. I took my water in to test it. All of my parameters look great except PH is low (not sure exactly but under 7.8) and ammonia turned the strip dark green and said DANGER under the chart. I usually have it tested at work weekly and I'm so tired I sound like and idiot and can't remember the numbers

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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.

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Originally Posted by SCWood

The thing is I was told NOT to change my water. That 'the cloudiness will go away just leave it alone'. But it only got worse

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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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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.

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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.

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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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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.

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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).

You can keep him temporarily in any clean container, just change half the water every day or so while he recovers. I bred bettas for a while and they did fine in smaller containers although I generally preferred to give them tanks with plants. Bare bottom tanks are easier to siphon the poo out of too, especially for temp quarters while your tank cycles.

I kept single fish in beanie baby containers(about a quart I think?) for quarantine with a few sprigs of plant. They stayed quite healthy.

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Originally Posted by wolfy-hound

You can keep him temporarily in any clean container, just change half the water every day or so while he recovers. I bred bettas for a while and they did fine in smaller containers although I generally preferred to give them tanks with plants. Bare bottom tanks are easier to siphon the poo out of too, especially for temp quarters while your tank cycles.

I kept single fish in beanie baby containers(about a quart I think?) for quarantine with a few sprigs of plant. They stayed quite healthy.

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Okay! He's in a "betta keeper" with a tiny amount of gravel and a plant. I added stress coat and some salt to help and I may pick up "Betta Fix". I tries coaxing him to eat but no luck :/ he ate this morning so hopefully he bounces back. Meanwhile I'll be changing his water daily to keep him healthy

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by SCWood

Okay! He's in a "betta keeper" with a tiny amount of gravel and a plant. I added stress coat and some salt to help and I may pick up "Betta Fix". I tries coaxing him to eat but no luck :/ he ate this morning so hopefully he bounces back. Meanwhile I'll be changing his water daily to keep him healthy

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I'd refresh the water and avoid adding salt, they're not brackish and unless he has any kind of fungal infection it'll just irritate him. Likewise, betta fix is for infections/torn fins/etc. I'd also ditch the betta keeper and get at least a three gallon tank.

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Originally Posted by kriwu

I'd refresh the water and avoid adding salt, they're not brackish and unless he has any kind of fungal infection it'll just irritate him. Likewise, betta fix is for infections/torn fins/etc. I'd also ditch the betta keeper and get at least a three gallon tank.

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Like I said, it's only temporary and his tank will hopefully be back in shape soon. This is much bigger than that stupid cup anyway ;)

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The water change helped a little! My water is no longer 3-6ppm, but .5-3ppm. I am heading to the store after work to stock up on water. I'm going to treat my tap water and test it. And I'm investing in a test kit. Meanwhile, Pescado is holding on. He was still lethargic this morning and seemed to pep up after a 50% water change, but still did not eat.

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Okay! I bought some stuff to aerate his tank :) it's already set up and he is really starting to move

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I'm glad to hear he's already showing signs of improvement! Clean water and the right temps can do wonders for a fish! Keep us updated. :)

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Originally Posted by kriwu

Quick start doesn't do anything, don't buy it, it's a scam. Bacteria doesn't have a shelf life and it can't live in a bottle. The only way to establish a cycle is to use pure ammonia or in-fish cycling. Here's a great guide on cycling.

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I agree, quick start is crap and don't buy it. I do, however, recommend Tetra Safe Start instead and have used it many times in the past. Works great as a boost to establish a healthy bacteria colony. But it doesn't work on it's own and as Kriwu said, you need to either do a fishless cycle with ammonia (can get a bottle for like $3.00 on amazon) or have fish while cycling.

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Originally Posted by kriwu

I'm glad to hear he's already showing signs of improvement! Clean water and the right temps can do wonders for a fish! Keep us updated. :)

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Pescado has eaten! He loves the air stone and I added some Betta Fix to start healing his fins. His main tank is still very cloudy so another change is in store

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Originally Posted by NJxRinzler

I agree, quick start is crap and don't buy it. I do, however, recommend Tetra Safe Start instead and have used it many times in the past. Works great as a boost to establish a healthy bacteria colony. But it doesn't work on it's own and as Kriwu said, you need to either do a fishless cycle with ammonia (can get a bottle for like $3.00 on amazon) or have fish while cycling.

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I want to balance out my parameters and see what happens from there. He is not going back in until it's cycled ;)

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The problem has been linked to a high amount of ammonia in the tap water I was treating!

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