HELP! Filter and Skimmer was left off for a couple days

[wchs125]

Long Story Short: My Filter and Skimmer were left off for a couple days. I currently use a fluval 304 and a seaclone skimmer on a 50 GAL tank. All the fish are breathing really hard. Here are my readings:
PH: 7.8
Ammonia: 1.0
Nitrate: 20
Nitrite: 5.0

What can i do to save the fish?

 

[ScotchMaster]

Do a nice large water change

 

[jjirsa78]

Water change will raise the PH, lower ammonia, nitrate, nitrite.

At the very least, I'd personally grab some of the ammonia detox that's sold everywhere to detoxify that (it doesn't remove it, but apparently bonds to prevent it from affecting the fish).

 

[wchs125]

How large of a water change should i do? Whats affecting the tank the most right now?
Thanks

 

[wchs125]

I had no salt on hand and the fish stores i go to Happy-Fish Pets and Imperial Fish all closed at 7. Do you think waiting until tomrrow to do a water change will be okay?

 

[818]

Ive been skimmerless since day one...SPS, and fish are all fine for me.

How often and large are your water changes? What fish do you have in the 50g? What additive do you add? Amonia/PH/nitrite(ate) additives?


There has to be something lacking in your tank? Flow Id say. I have no deadspots in my tank, and the turn over rate in the sump is high.

Sam

 

[wchs125]

Yea i realized the filter was off because there was no flow. I was gone for a couple days so worse case scenario the filter was off for a couple days.

 

[818]

No I mean "FLOW."

As in Powerheads. Water wave movement. Do you have any?

 

[jjirsa78]

The Fluval 304 gives about 200-250 gph - not much for a 50, but that may be all he has in terms of flow...

If you don't have any additional flow (powerheads, skimmer pumps, etc), you may see a benefit from adding some.

For right now, the ammonia is doing the damage. If you have any detox, I'd use it. Petco/Petsmart usually carry the Kent brand. Also, if you can make it to Santa Ana, "Window to the Sea" sells mixed saltwater in a dispenser outside their store (ie: 24 hours). I've never used it, but perhaps someone on RC has...

 

[NicoleC]

Get some ammonia binding agent in there ASAP. You don't want to normally do this, but ammonia of 1.0 is pretty high. "Amquel" is a commonly available brand -- you can probably even pick it up at a late night Wal-mart.

Right now you don't want to raise the pH until the ammonia is under control. Your pH is too low, but ammonia is a bit less toxic at lower pH. Get some oxygen in the tank, though -- leave those windows open tonight to get some O2 in the house! This may raise pH, but lack of oxygen will kill your fish faster than ammonia.

 

[bennyinca]

At 1 ppm NH4, I would do a water change asap, that is too high and certainly cause some damage to the fish. What kind of fish btw?

If you use the some kind of ammonia detox, keep a close eye, since some of these things can lower the oxygenation in the water. If you have an air pump or extra powerheads, I'd definitely use them

 

[NicoleC]

I definately agree on the water change -- I just meant that if you can get the ammonia detox in there tonight, the water change can wait until tomorrow.

 

[Tachyon]

what's the salinity? maybe no oxygen in the tank if there was no flow

 

[ReefMeister2]

Are you anywhere near Garden Grove?
I can give you saltwater tonight if you want to make the trip.
Doesn't matter what time

 

[laverda]

It is a good idea to always have some salt water made up and ready to go. I keep 55 gallons on hand.