amonia problem

[Z0da122]

i checked my amonia today it was about 2.0. i think it was because i did a water change a couple days a go. what else can it be? please reply.

[dramaqueen]

Check the ammonia in your tap water before conditioning it. My tap water, before adding Prime conditioner was between .5 and 1.0. After conditioning with Prime water conditioner, which neutralizes ammonia, it went to zero.

[1fish2fish]

You need to do a water change NOW ammonia levels that high will KILL your fish!!! You don't get ammonia spikes from doing water changes.. doing water changes gets rid of ammonia.

Is your tank cycled? If not I highly suggest you do a 100% change to get all that ammonia out

[Brooke]

I agree about testing your tap water. My boy got what I can only figure was ammonia poisoning the day AFTER I did a 100% water change. I was totally freaked out (because I am very careful about cleaning EVERYTHING), and finally got the idea to test our tap water - which turned out with disturbingly high amounts of ammonia in it.

Needless to say - while his soon to be home is cycling, he is getting spring water when I change it ;). Before I only had a de-chlorinater, I went out and bought something that will also neutralize the ammonia, but am still using the spring water until I am sure he is back to 100%.

[Neelie]

i would immediatly put the lil guy into a clean tank with bottle water (soft) till you find the problem. that is a dangerously high value that doesnt come out of the blue... test your tap water, clean your tank etc etc.

[Chicklet]

i checked my amonia today it was about 2.0. i think it was because i did a water change a couple days a go. what else can it be? please reply.

Wondering how big your tank is?
In an unfiltered tank Ammonia starts to build instantly,
In a 1 day period you can get high levels alone, So in two days I wouldn't be surprised if it was even higher
Alot of betta's in smaller uncycled tanks are left to set for days on end in water that has reached dangerouse levels of ammonia,
The betta will live a shortened life for it.

Also as others pointed out here it may be a good idea to find out what your levels are straight from the tap.

[Dresden]

How big is the tank?

[dramaqueen]

I'm all for testing the tap water after I found out that there was ammonia in mine.

[Z0da122]

i got another tank, i put my fish in it. it's probably gonna be there for a couple weeks because i need to let it cycle.

the tank that needs to cycle is 2 1/2 gallons. the temporary one is 1 gallon

[FancyFins]

Did you test your tap water? My 2.5 never has ammonia levels that high.