Ammonia Problems

[patrickpernell]

I have had a 29-gallon biocube for going on 4 years, so I'm not necessarily new to the hobby. I had a nutrient problem in my tank which raised the nitrates and phosphates in the tank and caused bad algae problems.

I got the nutrient problems fixed but all of a sudden my ammonia shot up like crazy. I mean SUPER high, around 1-2ppm. I have a sea anemone in the tank and it moved behind a rock so I hadn't seen it for a couple of days. I decided to move the rock and found it dead. TALK ABOUT THE SMELL!! So I assume the ammonia problems is a result of this.

I purchased a chemical called Prime, did a water change and of course sucked out the dead anemone from the tank. My fish do not look like they are going to make it.


If they do not make it, whats the best step to move forward? Should I start all over with new sand and new rock?

If they do make it, whats the best way to also move forward to get everything healthy again?

 

[mcgyvr]

Just do a few larger water changes..
Thats all you need..
absolutely no reason to start all over

 

[homer1475]

Several large water changes, and dose prime immediately to lock up the ammonia so the rest of the livestock aren't suffering.

No need to reboot the entire tank.

 

[schnebbles]

I once had ammonia at 5-6ppm. I about died when I checked the level, I was being stupid and not doing water changes and probably over feeding the tank. I lost a couple fish being stupid and lazy and certainly won't do that again. My tank is fine now. My ammonia reading was off the charts!