Nitrate poisoning and I'm desperate to save my fish!!!! Please help...

[Libby1]

What was and what is is not necessarily the same. As I've said before, when you have a poisoning, EVERYTHING changes. Poisoning effects the body, the brain, the entire body so you might as well forget about what used to be because there is no guarantee that what is now will be the same as before. Sick fish don't usually eat. Yours are eating so this is not a sickness. If the fish was constipated and eating, the bump would be getting bigger. You said it's not getting bigger so it's pretty safe to say that's not the issue. You can stop with the epsom salts. It will get diluted with every water change until it's no longer present. No need to get it all out at one time as you would with other medications.

Hi, so I did a 30% water change today; didn't check my nitrates.. I'll try to check it soon to see where it's at. Yes, my silver dollars eat the parsley leaves. The female (with the bump) also comes to eat, thank G-d. Like I mentioned, not as much, but she eats. As for her bump (and whether it's constipation), it's hard to tell whether it's growing or not. It definitely didn't go down. All I know is, it's huge and it was pretty huge when I first started discussing it with you, I'm just not sure whether it has grown. It's possible it did, but how can I really know...?? The point is, she is swimming around properly (like I mentioned, not as continuously active as she was back in the day but you said things change so perhaps that's one of the changes, or let's take into consideration she's carrying a bump sadly ... so maybe it's expected) but she's looking fine otherwise, her fins are fine, she's not hovering in any corners or anything like that. When I turn on the light in the room (I don't even turn on their overhead light) to do a water change they all get spooked and then go to the corner.. the second I turn off the light, she's swimming around and so are the others. Weirdos! Lol. But those are good signs I assume?

 

[Libby1]

You can try this multiple spot feeding but the problem is the Parrotfish is using psychological warfare on the Dollars. If it were my tank, he'd be gone, not just separated. He's the wrong fish to be with the dollars in such a small tank.

So here's the thing.. I have the blood parrot as long as I have the silver dollars so it would make me really sad to just give him away... although I do feel so much frustration at how he's harassing them. At the same time, I did try the 2 clips at feeding time, and so far it's working like a charm. He gets kind of confused and doesn't know where to control the situation so for the most part he either leaves them alone and goes about his business, or they are able to eat from the other clip if he's hovering over one of them. So let's see how that holds up.... I just don't love it that he's harassing them at all. When I first bought these fish, I was told the two breeds do well in a tank together... sigh. Perhaps in a much larger tank. Let's see what happens with the feeding, though; I hope this method holds up well.

I have a different question regarding food. Since I've been feeding them veggies almost daily due to my silver dollar who won't eat the pellets anymore (and as you said it's healthier anyway), the gravel is now getting so dirty from the tiny pieces that fall to the ground. I'm gonna try to syphon as often as possible, but I'm wondering from you whether this could be a problem with the nitrates, or the fact that they're veggies instead of pellets on the gravel, makes it less of a problem? (I'm generally careful with how much I feed, so I wouldn't randomly have pellets on the ground. I'm just using the comparison for discussion sake) I just wanna know how crazy I have to drive myself to suction them out of the gravel. Of course, every time I do a water change I do a good vacuuming. Also I'm gonna try to do small changes more often for that reason also; so that I get to remove stuff from the gravel. You did mention somewhere that one of the foods you feed your fish leaves a whole garbage can situation on your gravel.. would you be able to elaborate? How often do you suction it out, how much of a concern is it, etc? Thanks!

 

[Andy Sager]

Hi, so I did a 30% water change today; didn't check my nitrates.. I'll try to check it soon to see where it's at. Yes, my silver dollars eat the parsley leaves. The female (with the bump) also comes to eat, thank G-d. Like I mentioned, not as much, but she eats. As for her bump (and whether it's constipation), it's hard to tell whether it's growing or not. It definitely didn't go down. All I know is, it's huge and it was pretty huge when I first started discussing it with you, I'm just not sure whether it has grown. It's possible it did, but how can I really know...?? The point is, she is swimming around properly (like I mentioned, not as continuously active as she was back in the day but you said things change so perhaps that's one of the changes, or let's take into consideration she's carrying a bump sadly ... so maybe it's expected) but she's looking fine otherwise, her fins are fine, she's not hovering in any corners or anything like that. When I turn on the light in the room (I don't even turn on their overhead light) to do a water change they all get spooked and then go to the corner.. the second I turn off the light, she's swimming around and so are the others. Weirdos! Lol. But those are good signs I assume?

Yes, that's a good sign.

 

[Andy Sager]

So here's the thing.. I have the blood parrot as long as I have the silver dollars so it would make me really sad to just give him away... although I do feel so much frustration at how he's harassing them. At the same time, I did try the 2 clips at feeding time, and so far it's working like a charm. He gets kind of confused and doesn't know where to control the situation so for the most part he either leaves them alone and goes about his business, or they are able to eat from the other clip if he's hovering over one of them. So let's see how that holds up.... I just don't love it that he's harassing them at all. When I first bought these fish, I was told the two breeds do well in a tank together... sigh. Perhaps in a much larger tank. Let's see what happens with the feeding, though; I hope this method holds up well.

I have a different question regarding food. Since I've been feeding them veggies almost daily due to my silver dollar who won't eat the pellets anymore (and as you said it's healthier anyway), the gravel is now getting so dirty from the tiny pieces that fall to the ground. I'm gonna try to syphon as often as possible, but I'm wondering from you whether this could be a problem with the nitrates, or the fact that they're veggies instead of pellets on the gravel, makes it less of a problem? (I'm generally careful with how much I feed, so I wouldn't randomly have pellets on the ground. I'm just using the comparison for discussion sake) I just wanna know how crazy I have to drive myself to suction them out of the gravel. Of course, every time I do a water change I do a good vacuuming. Also I'm gonna try to do small changes more often for that reason also; so that I get to remove stuff from the gravel. You did mention somewhere that one of the foods you feed your fish leaves a whole garbage can situation on your gravel.. would you be able to elaborate? How often do you suction it out, how much of a concern is it, etc? Thanks!

Uneaten food is a problem because it's an ammonia source. The more ammonia being produced and subsequently converted to nitrite then nitrate, the more your nitrate level will be than without the uneaten food. Since you have a nitrate problem, it's an issue you should address. I'd feed the pellets 1 or 2 at a time, watch them get eaten then add another 1 or 2 so that there are no leftovers.
Regarding vacuuming the gravel, I use a piece of rigid tubing on the end of my siphon hoses so that I can aim it where I want to clean. Hold the tube just above the gravel while siphoning and the top detritus will get suctioned out. If it gets stuck on the gravel, you will have to stir the gravel or use a gravel vac tool like this: Amazon.com ( there are a bazillion brands of these. This was just the first one that popped up in my picture search so not one I endorse or not. ) to get it out. As for how often I do it, every time I did a water change. I sucked out what I could until I reached the amount of water I was changing. When I did the next water change, I cleaned a different area that I missed the last time. The same thing would apply if I was using a gravel vac tool.

As for the bump growing or not, only you can determine that. I can't help you there.

Lastly, make sure you are feeding the Dollars more than just parsley. Mix it up with other greens to get more , different vitamins and minerals into the fish.

 

[Libby1]

Uneaten food is a problem because it's an ammonia source. The more ammonia being produced and subsequently converted to nitrite then nitrate, the more your nitrate level will be than without the uneaten food. Since you have a nitrate problem, it's an issue you should address. I'd feed the pellets 1 or 2 at a time, watch them get eaten then add another 1 or 2 so that there are no leftovers.
Regarding vacuuming the gravel, I use a piece of rigid tubing on the end of my siphon hoses so that I can aim it where I want to clean. Hold the tube just above the gravel while siphoning and the top detritus will get suctioned out. If it gets stuck on the gravel, you will have to stir the gravel or use a gravel vac tool like this: Amazon.com ( there are a bazillion brands of these. This was just the first one that popped up in my picture search so not one I endorse or not. ) to get it out. As for how often I do it, every time I did a water change. I sucked out what I could until I reached the amount of water I was changing. When I did the next water change, I cleaned a different area that I missed the last time. The same thing would apply if I was using a gravel vac tool.

As for the bump growing or not, only you can determine that. I can't help you there.

Lastly, make sure you are feeding the Dollars more than just parsley. Mix it up with other greens to get more , different vitamins and minerals into the fish.

I do also vacuum the gravel every time I do a water change; I have the rigid tubing and all. Also, with the pellets I'm careful not to let uneaten pieces remain in the tank.. here and there I miss one, but I'm generally making sure to feed only what they're gonna eat. I'll follow your advice, though, on feeding literally a couple at a time.

My question was more regarding the veggies. Because I never used to feed it to them daily; so now my gravel is a lot dirtier because of that. But I was wondering if the fact that it's veggies and not pellets falling to the ground, is that a bit less concerning (somehow in my mind I'm thinking veggies are natural so it doesn't dirty the water as fast as pellets would).. I will continue syphoning as much as I can when I do a water change, but I'm wondering about that aspect of veggies vs pellets.

Also, what IF the bump is slowly growing bigger... what then?? I did everything I could, and you were saying that it doesn't seem to be constipation because fish stop eating at some point if they're constipated... so I'm wondering what else I would have to do...? Ugh I hope it doesn't grow bigger and it doesn't harm her. This sadness about the situation and the bump has really been exhausting me. (call me crazy lol, I'm being honest here. It's put me in such a bad mood) And the feeling of responsibility and if there is something I should be doing. In a way I was actually relieved when you told me I did everything, and I should just leave the situation alone and keep the water as clean as possible and hopefully that will keep them healthy. I really hope that will be the case. Sigh.

 

[Andy Sager]

I do also vacuum the gravel every time I do a water change; I have the rigid tubing and all. Also, with the pellets I'm careful not to let uneaten pieces remain in the tank.. here and there I miss one, but I'm generally making sure to feed only what they're gonna eat. I'll follow your advice, though, on feeding literally a couple at a time.

My question was more regarding the veggies. Because I never used to feed it to them daily; so now my gravel is a lot dirtier because of that. But I was wondering if the fact that it's veggies and not pellets falling to the ground, is that a bit less concerning (somehow in my mind I'm thinking veggies are natural so it doesn't dirty the water as fast as pellets would).. I will continue syphoning as much as I can when I do a water change, but I'm wondering about that aspect of veggies vs pellets.

Uneaten food, any food, decays which causes ammonia which eventually becomes nitrates. Needless to say, it needs to be cleaned out.

Also, what IF the bump is slowly growing bigger... what then?? I did everything I could,

YOU answered your own question here.

and you were saying that it doesn't seem to be constipation because fish stop eating at some point if they're constipated... so I'm wondering what else I would have to do...? Ugh I hope it doesn't grow bigger and it doesn't harm her.

This sadness about the situation and the bump has really been exhausting me. (call me crazy lol, I'm being honest here. It's put me in such a bad mood) And the feeling of responsibility and if there is something I should be doing.

Should I tell you the truth and possibly make you feel worse or just let this comment go by since you can't reverse the past?

In a way I was actually relieved when you told me I did everything, and I should just leave the situation alone and keep the water as clean as possible and hopefully that will keep them healthy. I really hope that will be the case. Sigh.

Because we don't know what organ or body part is causing the bump, it's tough to say. If it's the ovary, maybe the eggs are enlarging in preparation for a spawning. If it's the intestine, maybe it's filling with food in preparation for a good poop. What if it's neither and because the stomach is filling more, it's pushing whatever the bump is further out? Bottom line, you have done what you can medicinally so what happens, happens. There's nothing more you can do.

 

[Libby1]

Uneaten food, any food, decays which causes ammonia which eventually becomes nitrates. Needless to say, it needs to be cleaned out.

Yes, I will keep cleaning with every water change..

Should I tell you the truth and possibly make you feel worse or just let this comment go by since you can't reverse the past?

OUCH. (I finally learned how to insert emojis)
Big ouch. I wish I could turn back the past... but I can't....

Because we don't know what organ or body part is causing the bump, it's tough to say. If it's the ovary, maybe the eggs are enlarging in preparation for a spawning. If it's the intestine, maybe it's filling with food in preparation for a good poop. What if it's neither and because the stomach is filling more, it's pushing whatever the bump is further out? Bottom line, you have done what you can medicinally so what happens, happens. There's nothing more you can do.

Very good points and possibilities you're mentioning here. And thanks for confirming that I've done everything I can do. I did not feed medicated food, but you said it doesn't appear to be an illness or disease, which makes sense. So I'm just gonna hang tight and pray for the best. And I'll keep you posted.

Oh and regarding feeding a variety of veggies, as of now I'm feeding parsley leaves, lettuce and cucumber peels. I wish they eat the frozen peas but only one of the silver dollars likes it. My blood parrot loves it. Oh, well. And I still gotta get the stuff you mentioned earlier in this thread, which I will get to hopefully soon.

 

[Andy Sager]

Yes, I will keep cleaning with every water change..

OUCH. (I finally learned how to insert emojis)
Big ouch. I wish I could turn back the past... but I can't....

What can I say? I'm known to be very honest ( sometimes brutally honest ) which is why I checked. I think you already knew the answer to your question by now.

Very good points and possibilities you're mentioning here. And thanks for confirming that I've done everything I can do. I did not feed medicated food, but you said it doesn't appear to be an illness or disease, which makes sense. So I'm just gonna hang tight and pray for the best. And I'll keep you posted.

Feeding medicated food for something that is not a disease is just a waste of time, money and good medicines.

Oh and regarding feeding a variety of veggies, as of now I'm feeding parsley leaves, lettuce and cucumber peels. I wish they eat the frozen peas but only one of the silver dollars likes it. My blood parrot loves it. Oh, well. And I still gotta get the stuff you mentioned earlier in this thread, which I will get to hopefully soon.

I've never fed a pea to a fish in 60 years. Good husbandry doesn't call for it to be done. Variety is the spice of life. Fish eat a lot of different foods so you should feed them a variety of different foods.

 

[Libby1]

Another method when dealing with Constipation besides peas is to use Epsom Salt baths or adding Epsom Salt to the aquarium to help the fish relax their muscles making defecation easier on the fish. Once the clog clears, using foods that have chiton in their shells ( i.e. frozen Brine Shrimp, Daphnia, Bloodworms or Mysis shrimp) to help keep the "pipes" flowing and regular.

Hi there, I'm responding to this message above because I have a question...
I've been feeding some pellets, and also veggies like the parsley or lettuce or cucumber peels.
My blood parrot eats the pellets, as well as my healthiest silver dollar. The silver dollar just eats a couple of pieces.
When I put the veggies they get excited and start swimming around it and then eat from it, etc. Obviously my healthiest SD is eating the most.

My concern is... I don't know if my female SD (the one that has the bulge) is eating or not. I stand there for a couple of minutes to watch but don't have the time to be there much longer so I don't get to see if she's eating. Do I need to worry...? Is there something I should do...? In general she's been eating a fraction of what she used to. But I would still see her show interest in the veggies. I'm wondering if that has changed. A couple of days ago I did see her try to approach the food but my parrot chased her away.

As for her appearance, it's the same; the bulge is there. Has it grown slightly bigger? Possibly. Otherwise her appearance seems fine. When she swims, she swims strongly. She does rest a lot, though. Like, just in one spot or something. But not on the bottom or anything like that. But my other fish also do that often. But she does it slightly more. Also, I keep the light closed 99% of the time.. so it's possible it's been putting my fish in a sleepy mode. Is that a bad thing? I'm doing it so they don't get stressed. Am I overprotecting them at this point? I'd love to hear your thoughts on that.

As for feeding other foods like spirulina flakes.. I'm afraid to put flakes in the tank.. doesn't it fall to the ground a lot faster and leave lots of food garbage? Also, if I feed spinach, how do I feed it.. should I buy a pack of spinach leaves and rinse a few and clip it onto the wall?

They used to LOVE frozen blood worms. Now the blood parrot comes running for it, but they don't come grabbing it like they used to. It is very odd to me. Also, I used to turn the room light on and they knew there's food coming so that was good. Now, since the light is mostly turned off, they get shy when I come to feed them and that might be contributing to their lack of coming to get the bloodworms. As soon as I shut the light they swim around. Do you feel that part of the problem might be that I'm keeping them in the dark? That I need to get them used to the light again.....? Like I mentioned previously, I'm talking about the room light; I do not turn on their overhead light because the silver dollars go crazy with fright from the light, ever since I've gotten them.

What else can I do in case this is constipation in my female silver dollar.....?? Or, what can it actually be?? I'm worried to the point of feeling nauseous. I was just hoping she could continue this way and be fine but I wanted to message you just in case.

I'm scared to see your response. I hope I don't have to be... And thanks for being gentle.

Thank you again.

 

[Andy Sager]

In short, you are probably keeping the fish in sleep mode more which is why they aren't so active. They are also old fish so slowing down is normal. If you can't be there watching if the fish is eating the answer is either a divider or a separate tank. That way, you will see if the food you are feeding is being eaten by the one fish. You should also not be in front of the tank while observing them. Stand out of their sight range and observe. I know of no other way beside having a livecast camera watching the tank for you. As for lighting, no, they don't like bright light but you should have some light on for at least 6-8 hours a day. If you don't have a dimmable light, use window screening that blocks some of the the sun to help filter the lighting into the tank.

Your fish's behavior can also be explained because you have an aggressive cichlid housed in a small tank with fish that don't like aggressive behavior. The only way to know if the parrot is a problem NOW is to place the parrotfish in another tank or use a non see through divider so the Dollars can't see him. If you ever watched animal behavior, you'll see how intimidation doesn't have to mean attack. It can be nothing more than motions, or sounds. Cichlids are notorious for aggressive, intimidating motions.

As for the spinach, if you can get organically grown from places like roadside stands or farmer's markets vs a commercial market, it's less likely to have any chemicals on it. You can also grow your own in a planter box so it doesn't matter where you live. You would need to clip it onto the tank to keep it together and accessible.

To be blunt, if it were constipation, the fish would probably be dead by now so you need to sing a different song.

 

[Libby1]

In short, you are probably keeping the fish in sleep mode more which is why they aren't so active. They are also old fish so slowing down is normal. If you can't be there watching if the fish is eating the answer is either a divider or a separate tank. That way, you will see if the food you are feeding is being eaten by the one fish. You should also not be in front of the tank while observing them. Stand out of their sight range and observe. I know of no other way beside having a livecast camera watching the tank for you. As for lighting, no, they don't like bright light but you should have some light on for at least 6-8 hours a day. If you don't have a dimmable light, use window screening that blocks some of the the sun to help filter the lighting into the tank.

Your fish's behavior can also be explained because you have an aggressive cichlid housed in a small tank with fish that don't like aggressive behavior. The only way to know if the parrot is a problem NOW is to place the parrotfish in another tank or use a non see through divider so the Dollars can't see him. If you ever watched animal behavior, you'll see how intimidation doesn't have to mean attack. It can be nothing more than motions, or sounds. Cichlids are notorious for aggressive, intimidating motions.

As for the spinach, if you can get organically grown from places like roadside stands or farmer's markets vs a commercial market, it's less likely to have any chemicals on it. You can also grow your own in a planter box so it doesn't matter where you live. You would need to clip it onto the tank to keep it together and accessible.

To be blunt, if it were constipation, the fish would probably be dead by now so you need to sing a different song.

Wow that last line sure is blunt -- but it's also a relief to hear that since it's not the case, thank G-d. It's fascinating to know (through you) that it might be the ovaries or some internal deformation. It would not have even crossed my mind. I'm hoping it's something she can live with just fine..

Interestingly, I did what you told me regarding light; I lifted the window shade that's nearby so some daylight filtered in, and I fed them half a cube of blood worms --- and guess what, my female SD (the one with the bulge) came running for it, almost like old times!! It's very possible that if not for my evil parrot she would have gulped it like old times literally. I am so relieved. It was good to see her eat. I wonder if I should have fed them a full cube, but in truth I think it's better this way for now because usually I'd literally drop little bits at a time, see that it's all eaten, and then put more. But now since it's still quite dark, I can't fully monitor all the pieces to make sure they don't just end up in the gravel or filter. So I guess it's safer this way for the moment.

I'm gonna try to keep the shade up and maybe even start turning the room light back on more often, to wake them up more. I miss their lively selves.

Yeah, my blood parrot is really concerning. I am so upset about it, though. I don't wanna just get rid of her
So I'm not sure what to do in general. Because if I were to divide the tank, then I'm leaving a much smaller space for my silver dollars to swim in... isn't that a not good thing? Or do you feel differently? Or should I just do it for feeding times specifically and then it's fine?

Thanks!

 

[Andy Sager]

I would use the divider during feeding only. The first few times you use it, the fish will probably be hesitant but once they get used to it, it won't bother them. They will eventually be more interested in food then freedom.

As for the parrot, I hate to be blunt again but you mixed the wrong fish with the Dollars in too small a tank. Nothing I say or you do will change that. If you don't want to rehome it, get a larger tank or protect the other fish from it, whatever happens happens and it may not be reversible. Up to this point you have been lucky that they all have survived this long. The reason is more likely because the parrot is not a natural fish so the dollars didn't know to be scared of it. But just as every lucky streak eventually comes to an end, IMO you are either there or really close to it. Your options are limited.

 

[Libby1]

Hi, I haven't been at my computer in probably a week so I couldn't post here. Dealing with a friend who is in the hospital, critically ill. Sigh.

Now I don't know what to do about my water. I did a 30% water change beginning of the week. Now I did another one. I tested my ammonia and nitrates right away, which I know is not going to give me an accurate reading (I'll test again in a few hours to see if it settled) but I need to ask you this:

For years, whenever I tested my ammonia, it's been at zero. Now, since this whole issue, it is at (or almost at) 0.25!!! I'm freaking out. And my Nitrates are probably around 35 at least. Maybe closer to 40. I'm hoping the reads will be better soon.

My question is --- how panicked should I be, and what's going on?? I'm afraid it's the food change. I used to feed them pellets, and here-and-there I gave them veggies. It kept the ammonia to zero. Yes, the nitrates were high, though. Now I'm feeding them mostly veggies, some pellets, and once or twice a week blood worms. I vacuum the gravel to the best of my ability --- I don't know what to do now. I had changed my filter pads when this all started, it's probably like 3 months ago or something. Just guessing an approximate time.

A fellow aquarist told me that my gravel might be holding a lot of the nitrate issues. He said I should remove a whole bunch and test my water periodically and hopefully that would help. So I'd like to hear your thoughts on that. Today when I did the water change I removed some of it. but just approx 2 or 3 fist-fulls.

What is going on. Why in the world is there ammonia in my water???? I'm so exhausted from all this. I don't know what to do anymore. I'm hoping it's normal that things fluctuate. I have no energy for complications. I did read a while back that any meds (even general cure which is what I used) could throw off the whole ecosystme in the tank. Could it be that...? Might I just need to be patient and keep doing the weekly or twice/wk water changes? How do I prevent it from getting worse?

General update on my fish:

The female one (with the bulge) has been eating, thank G-d. Although still way, way less than ever. She comes running to grab the blood worms until my dumb parrot chases her away (yes, I'm aware that really I should be removing my parrot and I'm extremely sad about it and don't know yet what to do but I'm also so p*ssed at it. It became a whole activity to harass my other fish. Like, that's his goal in life. So upsetting omg. Like, my fish are all swimming around fine except those poor fish are often just sticking to one area of the tank because of my parrot's harassment!)

Regarding feeding, I can't find a divider this size (it's a bowfront tank) so I gotta figure this out. I started putting 4 veggie clips spread out, so my fish are primarily able to eat even while my parrot tries to harass them. Gosh. They'd probably eat more if he didn't. But in terms of my water quality, I'm very confused how much of the veggies and stuff to give, now that I can't gauge my feedings through the pellets I used to give. Since it takes them longer to chew the veggies than to swallow a pellet, and especially considering the parrot's harassing them, I leave the veggies in for a couple of hours and remove anything that wasn't eaten. Here and there I'll allow for little floating pieces to remain in there because I believe the fish end up grabbing it and eating it when they notice it's there.

Gosh, what am I to do now. My friend being so sick and me being in the hospital with her for days is not helping this situation. And vice versa. I need my tank to be stable and healthy. I'm trying so hard to do everything right. Spending hours of time doing water changes, observing, thinking about how to maneuver. I don't know what to do anymore and it's making me so sad. I hope you have a good solution for me or maybe you'll say I should keep doing what I'm doing and it will straighten out, I don't know.

 

[Libby1]

Light update, I just now did a gentle filter rinse and changed the white sponge. I realize I probably should have also changed the carbon filter which supposedly takes care of ammonia, but I had changed it right after I stopped putting the medication just recently. Hm. I haven't checked my ammonia level yet since the water change I did earlier, so I'm hoping now that the water settled a bit, the reading will be better.

Update now, a few minutes after I wrote the above: I checked my ammonia, it seems to be at zero. Phew!! I am so confused, though. But very relieved. Not sure what I did right or wrong.

 

[Aiken Drum]

Carbon absorbs organic compounds. Ammonia isnt organic. Carbon does nothing to ammonia.

 

[Andy Sager]

I'll start by saying So sorry to hear about your friend. Hope he/she gets better.

As for the first test results, they don't count. You can't immediately test the water after a water change before it has plenty of time to circulate throughout the tank. That's like pouring chocolate syrup into a glass of milk and being upset the milk is still white even tho you didn't stir it. Get the picture? Wait at least 3 to 4 hours before testing after a water change.
As for the ammonia level being higher more frequently, there are a few possibilities:
Your water company is using more chloramine.
You are feeding more food.
Your fish are bigger now so they produce more ammonia no matter what you feed them.
Your fish are overcrowded which causes them to be more aggressive towards each other which causes the fish to breathe heavier which produces ammonia in the water. ( Yes, breathing causes ammonia. I refer you to: Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services )

Regarding the nitrates: The more ammonia being produced, the more nitrates your tank is going to produce. Guess what the best answer is to that, ( Hint: It's water changes, more frequently or larger in volume. ) As for as the nitrates coming from the gravel, that's only true if there is excess food buried in the gravel. If there is uneaten food in the gravel, it means you are overfeeding and you need to stir up more of the gravel at each water change to suck out the uneaten food and cut back on the amount. Removing some gravel will do nothing but remove areas where the nitrifying microbes could be.

Moving forward: reread every post Aiken and I have made in your thread regarding how to deal with an overcrowded tank. No matter how you try to get around it, the proper answers in order are: a better combination of fish followed by more room for the existing fish to get away from each other. If these are not an option, it means YOU have to do more work with more frequent water changes or changing the amount of water you change at each water change.

So that's where you are at. At least "Bumpy fish" is better.

 

[madi.ayala10]

Hi, I am devastated about the following situation and I hope someone here can help me save my fish. I have a 36-gal freshwater tank, with 1 blood parrot and 3 silver dollars. I've have them for approx 9 years. I've struggled with nitrate levels but I didn't realize how devastating the exposure can be, because my fish have generally been strong and fine.

This past Wednesday I suddenly noticed one of my fish curving from nose to tail as he tried to swim fast (like an S shape which I read is a sign of nitrate poisoning) and kind of getting slightly lethargic here and there - so I quickly did approx 40% water change. I first tested the water, all levels were good except nitrates were very high, between 80-140 (between the highest 2 readings so I don't know the exact number). I had just fed them. The next day I did another 40% water change. On Friday I did a 30% water change. Each time, I added Prime and 2 capfuls of Stability. I also added a bit of aquarium salt the first 2 times I did water changes, but not a full dose of salt at all. Just a bit. Today I did not do anything except added 1.5 capfuls of Stability. I have not fed them since Wednesday. The Nitrates did go lower, but as of yesterday it was still high, between 40 and 80 but I don't know because the colors are so close. I'm hoping it's around 60 but I don't know. I did not check my nitrates today because according to my LFS I should be doing a water change tomorrow (not sure why to skip a day) so I'm afraid to check it now.

My question is, all my fish are swimming upright and they don't seem lethargic - which I'm hoping is a positive sign - and I keep the lights closed so that they don't get more stressed. But for instance, when I was trying to do the water change yesterday (Friday) my fish that had been swimming curled in the S shape got a bit scared and tried to swim fast, which is when it curled again. I am devastated!!! I need to heal him!! Also, I can't decide if my other fish are showing any signs or not. My LFS said all I can do is keep doing water changes, add the Stability every day for 7 days, and not feed them. But I'm wondering if I should be giving that fish some kind of medication bath...??? Or better just leave it and let it heal slowly on its own?? Does anybody here know...? I need it to survive!!! It's swimming around and as long as it's not stressed, the curve is not so noticeable. I'm actually afraid to look at it.. so I stay away from the tank (coward, I know) unless I am doing a water change. And I check in here and there.

Another important question -- I'm afraid to starve them -- they are very skinny by now (I'll explain in a moment) so I really want to give them something to eat... how can I do so safely...??? The reason I'm concerned is, because I recently starved them for a few days because it seemed that another one of my fish was having a problem (which I'm now wondering if it has something to do with the high nitrates that I didn't realize was happening) and I thought he's constipated or something, so I tried to then feed peas which they didn't like. Anyway, point is, they already went through a small period of not eating properly, so now they are very skinny and I'm terrified of underfeeding them. Any advice???

I am truly devastated and kicking myself for this stupid neglect I did. I am so upset with myself and am terrified of losing my fish!! I really hope and pray someone here knows the right thing for me to do so that my fish survive this and live a long life!

Thank you so much.

I wouldn’t withhold food from them, but don’t over feed them. Continue doing your water changes and you should be okay. However, I would recommend a planted tank. The plants consume nitrates. And based on what you said your stocking is, your tanks seems a tad bit small. Also your fish are nearing the end of their lifespan, and if they pass it’s not your fault, even if it’s hard. I hope it dosent come to that though. Best of luck!