I used Ammonia Detox 2 weeks ago. I'm getting high test readings. Bottle says the high levels are not toxic.?

Question

I need to know if this is true. I thought everything was stable I haven't checked the levels for 2 weeks because I hadn't lost any more fish after adding the Detox. Today I added 7 more fish and dumb me didn't think to check the ammonia levels til after I put the new ones in. I'm getting a 4.0 .The directions on the bottle says that you would still get high ammonia readings,but that it is no longer toxic. Please Help! I don't want to kill my fish. I don't know what to do.

Answer 1

I'd definitely rethink adding 7 at once next time, it puts way to much strain on the bacteria breaking down the ammonia and it will take a while for it to catch up. However, a good idea would be to do a 40-50%water change and do one every other day until your readings come down. Good Luck

Answer 2

You need to do a water change straight away, obout a 50% change will bring it down. Then make sure your filter is working properly and your cycle is going. Any ammonia is bad ammonia and levels above 1.0 are dangerous.

Answer 3

Ammonia detox doesn't remove the ammonia it just binds it up which is why you get screwed up test results.  If you have high ammonia levels it is always better to fix the problem rather than try to quick fix it with chemicals.  Nothing can remove ammonia except water changes.

Your next problem is that adding 7 fish all at once will increase the bio load in the tank tremendously and cause the ammonia to spike more.  It could quite possibly set off a mini cycle.

The best thing to do is start with a 50% water change today, and then again tmw.  Most of the bacteria is in the gravel and filter media so there is no danger of damaging the cycle by doing water changes.

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