water goin haywire!! HELP

[saltysyd]

My water is going completely haywire! The ammonia was high a few days ago so I did a 25% water change and added Ammolock2. Everything else was normal, salt,ph,nitrites. Now nitrites are high, and ph and salt are low, my fish are breathing like they are having a panic attack and not swimming!! Last nite did 50 % water change. They looked a little better this morning but still breathing heavily. Any ideas?? tank has been set up about 4 months with the same fish that i started with. the only changes i have made is a new filter about 2 weeks ago and added a porc puffer about a week - week 1/2 ago. Also,only feed them 2x a day and clean bottom about 2x a week.

 

[simm]

You might cut feeding down. I only feed every other day!

 

[beth]

What do you mean by a "new filter"? Did you replace an old filter? That along with the additional fish placed additional bioload on what is really a very new tank set up.

 

[saltysyd]

yes, I replaced old filter. Does that mean my new filter will cause the tank to recycle?? By the way all my fish are now dead. If the tank needs to recycle, do I need a fish in there or can i just use biozyme?? Water parms, last nite after the deaths were. temp 82F, Salt-1.020,PH-8.0, nitrates- 5.0, nitrites-3.0 ammonia- darker than 5.0!!

 

[beth]

No, leave the tank alone at this point. With the ammonia and nitrite level it now has, it will cycle without taking any more steps. Don't add anything to it.
Yes, you have to think of all the filter sources in your tank, mechanical filters, biological filters, sand, live rock, etc. Completely removing 1 of these sources of biofiltration, in a relatively new tank, can be detrimental--or, in course case a catastrophe.
Sorry for your loss. It will be awhile now before those levels drop, at which time you can begin anew.

 

[itchy]

hey Beth since we are talking about new filters here I have a question? I am not thinking of changing my filters anytime soon but read that when changing filters out or carbon carts. if you save some of the filter floss this will help you from causing a mini cycle. Any knowledge on this? For instance I have a emperor 400 with 2 carbon cart. I change mine one at a time so that I don't loose bacteria that has built up there so saving filter floss for say a hospital tank to help stabilize it would be a good idea?
I hope this made since...... Thanks