High Ammonia - Help?

[MadameFizzgig]

Hi everyone, I'm new to this forum.

I'm a pretty new fish owner, and I didn't know about a lot of the things that were necessary to do for a healthy fish tank (like most newbies). I came here because the people on the other forum I went to have been less than helpful.

So, here's the story.

I bought a Violet Goby from a less than reputable place. They gave me all the wrong advice, and luckily I did some research because some of the things they told me weren't adding up. This fish WAS living in a highly crowded completely freshwater tank with no substrate or hiding places at all. I did not know about tank cycling when I got him, so now I have to do a fish-in cycle. He's about 4in long, and I have him temporarily in a 5G tank (I know, not ideal. I'll be upgrading soon.)

Anyway, I've had him for about a week and a half now. The ammonia levels in his tank are high, but I've been doing 2 20% water changes a day (about 12 hours apart) to try and lower them. He was going to the surface in the beginning, but since I started doing the water changes he has pretty much stopped doing that. He has been eating well also, so I think that's a good sign.

I'm slowly raising the SG in his tank to 1.010, this should help him as well because he'll be living in his native brackish water. When I change the water, I change a little under a gallon. I do dechlorinate the water every time I do this. I have also been adding a few drops of beneficial bacteria to the new water every time I change it. Some people have said that it's unnecessary, but others have said it's smart to do, so I don't know.

Is there anything else that I could be doing for this little guy? He certainly seems to be doing much better than he was, but I want to be sure I'm doing all I can.

Thanks!

 

[Cody_Sebastian]

How high?

 

[CometD]

I know you mentioned this is a temporary tank and that you are doing water changes everyday, but do you have a filter in the tank as well? I have never had an issue with high ammonia levels but I have read that if you add ammonia chips to the filter, these can help to keep the ammonia levels down. Also, if you add live plants to the tank, this can help as well since they do help clean the water.
How are you cleaning the tank? Are you using a gravel vacuum at all?

 

[MadameFizzgig]

I know you mentioned this is a temporary tank and that you are doing water changes everyday, but do you have a filter in the tank as well? I have never had an issue with high ammonia levels but I have read that if you add ammonia chips to the filter, these can help to keep the ammonia levels down. Also, if you add live plants to the tank, this can help as well since they do help clean the water.
How are you cleaning the tank? Are you using a gravel vacuum at all?

I have have two filters in the tank, yeah. I'm not using a gravel vacuum, but I only feed him in one location, so I've been removing the gravel in that area and the area where he hides in order to keep it clean. Those are really the only two areas that get any kid of buildup of food or waste.

I will consider the ammonia chips for sure. I thought that when a new tank cycled, ammonia spikes were normal until they're converted to nitrites?

 

[CometD]

I have have two filters in the tank, yeah. I'm not using a gravel vacuum, but I only feed him in one location, so I've been removing the gravel in that area and the area where he hides in order to keep it clean. Those are really the only two areas that get any kid of buildup of food or waste.

I will consider the ammonia chips for sure. I thought that when a new tank cycled, ammonia spikes were normal until they're converted to nitrites?

This is true, new tanks do tend to have an ammonia spike when first starting the cycle. Whether or not the ammonia levels are an issue though would depend on how high the ammonia levels are and how long the high levels last for.
Also, I would recommend purchasing a gravel vacuum. It is a good idea to feed your fish in one location and make sure to clean the gravel located where you feed him and where he hides, but without a gravel vacuum, you risk missing any waste located in areas he goes less often. Even if there is only a small amount of waste in the locations you are missing, it can build up over time.

 

[MadameFizzgig]

This is true, new tanks do tend to have an ammonia spike when first starting the cycle. Whether or not the ammonia levels are an issue though would depend on how high the ammonia levels are and how long the high levels last for.
Also, I would recommend purchasing a gravel vacuum. It is a good idea to feed your fish in one location and make sure to clean the gravel located where you feed him and where he hides, but without a gravel vacuum, you risk missing any waste located in areas he goes less often. Even if there is only a small amount of waste in the locations you are missing, it can build up over time.

Okay, thanks. I'm freaking out a little right now, because this morning he started going to the surface again. So I did my normal 20% water change and waited a while and he's still doing it. So I did a larger water change, and he's still doing it. I don't know what to do.

 

[Lilbunny]

I'm a newbie, too, but I'm thinking some seachem prime would help him feel better until you work out the issues in the tank. I've been going through high ammonia and nitrites and my tank is under 2 months old so I feel your pain. Anyways, I've been dosing my tank daily or every other day to keep my fishies happy. Best of Luck!