Help!!!!!!!!

[jyec]

Today after a 20% water change my fish where acting slightly different, staying near the top of the tank almost instantly after the water change.

It has now been about 6 hours and all fish (4 of them) are at the bottom of the tank.. the cleaner wrasse is on its side and ever now and then swims very fast throughout the ann then back to the floor.

Before this they all seemed quite healthy and its just happened today.

Tested our water levels and nitrate has skyrocketed to 5.0ppm..
We introduced the fish very early because of WRONG advice from our local aquarium and would the nitrate cause the fish to be acting this way?

PLEASE HELP!

 

[jyec]

sorry CORRECTION *****NITRITE*** is at 5.0ppm and NITRATE is at 80ppm.

Salt level and temperature is okay.

 

[jonbar1]

That would do it. I'm guessing ammonia is too high as well.
Did you test the newly mixed salt water? If it's levels are good, I'd be mixing a lot more to do daily large water changes to get those levels down. Might also look into getting one of the nitrifying bacteria suppliments like BioSpira etc. to help speed up the cycle.

 

[Reefing8EZ]

Yes, livestock should never be introduced until ammonia and nitrite are undetectable. Some nitrate is fine but yours is very high..

 

[fish&corals]

how long has your tank been set up ??

 

[redfishbluefish]

Immediately set up a Hospital/QT tank with no sand or rock, and get your fish transferred to this tank. The only thing in this tank is freshly made saltwater and a couple pieces of PVC pipe for the fish to hide (include a HOB filter, heater and PH.) If need be, use a clean trash bin or Rubbermaid container. DO IT NOW!

If your DT hasn't completely cycled, there is high likelihood your fish will be dead.....fast.

 

[fish&corals]

IMO a QT is not going to help him .. the toxins are already in the fish gills .. jyce i know your prob new to this hobby but there is a ton of dos and donts out there you can read on .. 90% of the people out here have made 1 mistake or another .. if you ever have a question all you have to do is ask .. reef2reef has a lot of guys/gals on here that will help you and point you in the right direction .. so sorry for your fish ..

 

[Saltwatertaylor]

People make mistakes in this hobby. This is why research is SO important. Everyone on here will always be willing to help you if you have new questions.
Your levels are definitely the reason they are acting like that. Get your ammonia level tested. You need to do some big water changes IMO

 

[GratefulReef]

yea i would keep up on the water changes, maybe get some amquel it will help to temporarily reduce ammonia nitrate and nitrite i agree a QT tank wont really help, as he doesnt have cycled water to begin with it would just be the same thing in another tank. and yes we've all made mistakes some of us more than others, i could prob write a book about the mistakes ive made. you came to the right place for help though and i hope everything works itself out.

 

[zemuss]

Follow the advice which is being provide here. However, I would try to prepare / buy enough salt water for the next couple of days.

I would also stay away from the stuff that say they speed the cycle up.

Your fish are mostly gasping for air as Ammonia will burn the gills of the fish.

Also list the details of the tank.

Lastly, I would do another big water change then wait about 4 hours then do another smaller change. My thinking is you already stressed the fish out, so there isn't a need to stress them out again. Slow your water changes down after another big one and do them daily for a few weeks. This might actually save the fish. I would also slow down for a bit and learn from this for the future. Trust me we have all made a mistake and its ok, just learn from it.

Example of WC: 50% then 10 % daily until Ammonia is non-detected. (Let others chime in here but I think this would be the best bet)

Just trying to help.