Newbie in need of help! New tank, need advice

[Delapool]

Oh god!
Didn't realise it could be that bad. Better schedule a trip home during the Christmas break then

Thanks for the heads up

A trip back would be best. Prime will handle for 24 to 48 hrs. Something like API nitra-zorb will handle for longer.

 

[Bcusick]

Not sure if prime is available here. Could maybe get it online but probably not intone for Christmas

 

[Delapool]

What do you use? It may be similar.

 

[Bcusick]

At the moment I'm using
'King British - safe guard'
Says it removes harmful chlorine and chloramines. Detoxifies heavy metals. Removes excess ammonia.

 

[Delapool]

It sounds similar, prime may do a little more reading their website. I use API stress coat and amino lock and all was fine during a mini-cycle. It is almost the same as prime.

I think it will be similar but can't say exactly.

 

[Nimo]

It sounds similar, prime may do a little more reading their website. I use API stress coat and amino lock and all was fine during a mini-cycle. It is almost the same as prime.

I think it will be similar but can't say exactly.

A mini cycle is not the same as the first cycle. The fish are highly stressed already. With out water changes the toxins can build quickly. A short trip say over night wouldnt be a big deal. Do a water change right before leaving. Then do another when u get home.
48 hours with no water change and rising ammonia and Nitrites possibly kicking in is gonna be rough on the fish.

 

[Delapool]

A mini cycle is not the same as the first cycle. The fish are highly stressed already. With out water changes the toxins can build quickly. A short trip say over night wouldnt be a big deal. Do a water change right before leaving. Then do another when u get home.
48 hours with no water change and rising ammonia and Nitrites possibly kicking in is gonna be rough on the fish.

Absolutely, so what's the solution if distance is too great? It sounds like one trip back could be readily done. Will ammonia get too high without something?

I sort of agree on cycle timing but ammonia built to 5ppm in my tank. Probably for 2 weeks. Fish should be dead right? I didn't even pick it until I did a water test and I have had neons get sulky at much lower levels in QT. Fry were also fine. The only thing I can think of was the api water treatment was converting it as ph is > 7. So as stop gap those are my solutions if away. I'm not saying its great or what I had in a mini-cycle was great either and open to other ideas.

 

[Bcusick]

Luckily the distance is only about 20 miles so I can come back part way through to do a water change

 

[Brookster123]

Luckily the distance is only about 20 miles so I can come back part way through to do a water change

Your dedication will reward you! Those fish will be very happy to see you with some freshwater for them!

 

[Delapool]

Sounds excellent

We will be 4 hours away but the neighbor looking in has fish so fingers crossed. Got the automatic fish feeder, so far it seems to work.

 

[Nimo]

Luckily the distance is only about 20 miles so I can come back part way through to do a water change

That will work out great for you then. Thst way you van keep an eye on ammonia and nitrites if they start.
You have worked so hard on keeping those little guys safe.
Once you get thru the starting cycle then going away for a couple of days at a time wont be a big deal. Its just when you have an unstable tank (such as cyceling or even a mini cycle)its not a good idea to leave it un monitered for a couple days because things can go bad quick.

 

[Bcusick]

Hey guys. So things have been going fine but today I see one of my guppies sat on the bottom of the tank like he was when the ammonia was sky high weeks ago. I've done another water change and the ammonia level is only just above 0. Which is basically the lowest it's ever been.
What are other possible causes of a fish sitting at the bottom and not moving like this apart from ammonia?

 

[Nimo]

Have you checked nitrites?

 

[Bcusick]

Still at 0

 

[Brookster123]

This may have already been discussed, do you have any air into the tank? Air stone?

 

[Bcusick]

There's a 20 inch bubble wall. I've had this issue before with them lying on the bottom but it was due to high ammonia levels. That isn't the case this time I don't think as the ammonia level is very low compared to what it used to be. It's almost at 0

 

[Brookster123]

Is it first thing when you turn the lights on? My guppies will sometimes just be lying on the gravel for a minute but than soon perk up and start their daily routine..

 

[Bcusick]

No he's been like that for about two hours now. They're all doing it now. Hope they're not getting Sick again.

 

[Brookster123]

40-50% water change,make sure temp matches very close,if your water conditioner lists ammonia/nitrite lock/de-toxifier than double dose.

 

[Bcusick]

Been doing a 50% water change every day anyway. Will do another now and put extra water conditioner in. Hopefully it helps
:/