alexalcock alexalcock
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  • Posted on: 21/5/2020 20:54
Help bit of an emergency #1
Hi all,

I hope you’re well in lockdown.

I made a rookie mistake 2 days ago.

I have 2 guppies I think sorry I forgot the name and can’t find them. But small little fish in a 15L tank, I have a smallworld filter and pump.

2 days ago I changed the filter to a brand new one. Moron I know now.

One of the fish is fine but the smaller one is gasping at the surface a lot he’s pretty much living there and lethargic.

I took a sample of water to the store and they said the ammonia was at 1.

I’ve done a 50% water change just now and used a little ammonia remover, which I know isn’t ideal long term.

What else can I do?

How often should I water change from now on?

We’re all really fond of the fish and I know he’s really not well.
Fishlady Fishlady
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  • Posted on: 22/5/2020 6:50
Re: Help bit of an emergency #2
Have a look at this article which is all about dealing with ammonia and nitrite spikes: https://www.fishkeeping.co.uk/articles ... ammonia-nitrite-spike.htm
alexalcock alexalcock
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Re: Help bit of an emergency #3
Thank you so much I’m pretty much doing all that now.

Lastly do you know of any products that will help the fish recover from this?
Fishlady Fishlady
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  • Posted on: 22/5/2020 10:31
Re: Help bit of an emergency #4
The best chance of recovery is plenty of water changes to keep ammonia and nitrite as close to 0 as possible until the filter is cycled.
alexalcock alexalcock
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Re: Help bit of an emergency #5
Thank you fish lady at the moment I’m doing 50% changes twice a day or when I notice ammonia on the stick.

I can see uneaten food at the bottom of the tank that I’m desperately trying to get with the syphon but not having huge luck. They seem a tiny bit brighter today over yesterday but still gasping for air.

Coffee most defiantly owed.
fcmf fcmf
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  • Posted on: 22/5/2020 13:15
Re: Help bit of an emergency #6
Also, a tank size suited to the requirements of the fish you have would help to ensure ammonia and nitrite remain at 0, and nitrates at 20 or no more than 20 above tap water nitrate levels.

Post a photo here of your fish and we can confirm their species, then check against https://www.seriouslyfish.com/knowledge-base/ to ensure the tank size meets their requirements.

Hope that helps. :)