Amonia help!

[Puffpuff3]

My puffer was doing so well! He recently had ick and was hiding at the bottom of the tank all day, but it finally passed and he finally seems happy. Alas, another problem has arisen. An amonia problem. I was appaled to find it as high a 3.0 this morning. I quickly did a water change, added some Ammo-Lock, and since then it has dropped but still not dissapeared. Has anyone else had this problem and know a solution? Help!

[StormySkiez]

Water changes ASAP. The ammonia is probably a sign of the tank still not cycled. How often do you do WC's?

[Puffpuff3]

He's been in the tank for about 2 1/2 to 3 weeks. I haven't done a water change yet. Should I be doing them more often? Should I also add some bacteria?

[Pufferpunk]

Do your best to find Bio-Spira somewhere (check the "use by" date). Do not use any other product, no matter what the shop tells you! Do an 80% WC & add it directly to your filter. If it is viable bacteria, your ammonia should be 0 within 24-48 hours. After that, so 50% WC weekly.

[MatthewLaw]

how long had your tank been setup BEFORE you added the puffer?

[Puffpuff3]

It had was running about a week. I did a water change, though, and the amonia is way down. Thanks for the advice. I think I may have accidentally killed some of the established bacteria when I added salt too quickly. So I added what was suggested, and things seem better. I only hope they stay that way!

[Pufferpunk]

Please read the cycling article in our Library. There is no way that tank is cycled. You are going to continue having problems with that tank, unless you do large, daily WC or add Bio-Spira to the filter.

[Puffpuff3]

Where is Bio-Spira available?

[Pufferpunk]

Depends on where you live--this is why it is important to fill out your profile. It's only available in the US.

[Puffpuff3]

I live in the US. I stopped by the store but they did not have Bio-Spira, so in the meantime I picked up a bacteria called Biozyme. Does anyone know if it is any good? If I continue with my water changes, does this disrupt the effectivness of the bacteria? I'm getting desperate. I don't want my daughter to come home from school to a dead fish!

[plurmaster]

heh where in U.S.? Bio-Spira is the only thing i konw thats guarantee instant cycle and nothing else.

[Puffpuff3]

I live in Virginia. Is it only available through specialty stores?

[StormySkiez]

A search on the web will get you some bio spira. PP have you heard if the new formula works? Of course it should.....It is expensive where I found it. You could probably find it cheaper.
http://www.aquariumplants.com/product_p/biosp02.htm
You could have it shipped overnight or call all the stores in your area to see if they bio spira. I have no idea about biozyme. Nothing else supposedly works. When I added the old formula bio spira the maker said I could do WC's after the first week of adding. I hope this helps.

[Puffpuff3]

Thanks so much for the link! I really appreciate it! Do you know how long it takes Bio-Spira to detoxify amonia in a tank? I don't want my little fish to suffer longer than he has to.

[pufferfreak]

I am assuming it says on the bottle. Check the site, it may say something about it.