First Timer, Can't get rid of ammonia

[FishDad]

I set up a ten gallon for my son and due to ignorance we have lost some fish. But now after learning about ammonia, nitrates and nitrite, we have one fish (dalmatian molly) that has survived. However due to over feeding and previous over stocking the ammonia level is high. After several water changes it is still at .50ppm.

We introduced bacteria about a week ago but it doesn't seem to be helping the ammonia. The poor little guy is clearly struggling but surviving. I created a blog for the tank that goes into great detail about the steps we took, you can read it at Patrick's Fish Tank.

If any one has any advice it would be greatly appreciated, since this is our first experience with fish. Thanks guys.

 

[KcMopar]

You just need to do more water changes to keep the ammonia in check until the cycle finishes. Also note that most of that bacteria in the bottle stuff is more like snake oil. Just let the tank run its course and do daily water changes. I have included a pic of my weekly water change on my 75G African tank so you can see how much water I change. You most likely will not need to change this much water but its safe to do so.
Well the picture loader is not working, so I will load it later. Anyway, The picture shows the tank with only 15 gallons left in it!! Yep, 60 gallon water change once a week.

 

[FishDad]

Thanks KcMopar, I have been doing about 50% changes every day for about 3 days. It seems to be making a small difference. Do you have any idea about how long the cycle might take in a ten gallon tank?

 

[skjl47]

Hello; You have identified and corrected two major issues already. My suggestion is to read some of the threads on this or other forums about tank cycling. It can take several weeks to establish a tank and grow the beneficial bacteria (bb) needed.
I would suggest that you not add any more fish than the one survivor for a time, maybe one to three weeks. That you reduce the feeding and perhaps skip two days a week of feeding for a time. It can take a while to figgure out how small an amount of food fish need. During this time the population of bb will increase and should start to reduce the ammonia from the previous overfeeding and overstocking
Once the ammonia in the tank is stable then you can add a few more fish a few at a time.

 

[FishDad]

Thanks skjl47, that's reassuring.

 

[skjl47]

Hello; A new setup can take six weeks or more to be come stable and cycled according to many posts I have read. In smaller tanks the balance is more difficult to maintain over time. It can be done, but small issues like overfeeding or overstocking can cause a tank to go sour quickly. Dead fish can throw things out of balance if not removed soon.
As suggested by another, keep up with water changes.
I also like to have live plants in almost all tanks. The non rooted plants like hornwort can be tossed into a tank with no substrate. While not as important, or popular, I also like to have snails in my tanks. Some dislike snails a lot.
Good luck

 

[KcMopar]

Seeing the picture up-loader is not working here is a link of the pics I put up on my website: Fish_Tank . As long as you can maintain the pH and temperature this amount of water change is safe, I do this once a week to this 75G tank.

 

[FishDad]

Beautiful tank KcMopar. That's a pretty serious water change. I think I'll try that and see how it goes.

 

[KcMopar]

Thank you, Let us know how it goes. I have a huge bio load on that tank and have a sump under it with a ton of bio-balls in it to provide a huge bacteria growth area to keep the ammonia and nitrite to zero but, in turn it makes a ton of nitrate which is harmless to the fish if kept under control with WC's.