amonia in the tank

Question
You helped me when I first started the tank perhaps, you can help again.

I lost a few fish this last week and I am heartbroken.  My bleeding heart tetras got ick and while I had to take out the carbon filter for the medication I then lost a few guppies.  For some reason I have not been able to get the amonia level to 0.  It has been at 1.0 for the last few 2-3 days. (I have put the filter back in and done a 25% water change) What can you recommend?  Before the female guppy died it also gave birth to 4 guppies - will they be alright without her?

So I guess I really have two questions for you this time.  Thanks for any advice you may have for me.

Julie

Answer
Hello Julie,
When you first have your aquarium setup, you will have a hard time getting ammonia levels at zero and it will be almost impossible for the next few days. This is all part of the aquarium cycle. Ideally you would never have a big spike if you stocked extremely lightly and fed almost microscopic amounts of food to your fish. Not that I am blaming you for anything of this, but perhaps you have added too many fish at once by mistake?
But then again I am also quite reckon you need to change more water than 25% to get any reasonable ammonia decline.
For the sake of your fish (ammonia is extremely toxic!) at the first reading of high ammonia, immediately do at least a 50% water change to dilute the ammonia in the water. You can also try to use an ammonia neutralizing water conditioner such as amquel or Prime when doing water changes which also helps.
*You will certainly have to do large water changes quite frequently during this ammonia spike until your bacterial colonies begin to really establish and control the ammonia levels.
This is a common occurance with new aquariums and you must change the water to save your fish when ammonia is on the rise.

With time and patience your ammonia levels will get established and nitrites begin to rise--which you must also do life-saving water changes when levels are out of safe bounds. But you're almost there! Soon nitrite and ammonia will drop to zero and nitrate will begin to rise, signaling the end of the cycle and your aquarium is established!

*~Ick parasites attack stressed fish due to poor water quality, cool temperature, and other stress factors. Ick takes time to treat. You ideally need to keep the medication in for at least 2 weeks to insure you destroy all stragglers and all free swimming parasites. When Ick is at it's free-swimming stage this is the only time they are affected by medication. Unfortunately, medications will offset or even delay your aquarium cycling--or if the aquarium is already cycled, will destroy your already established bacterial colonies and cause ammonia spikes.
Once you are through treating and all ick signs are gone. Change at least 50% twice a week and begin again to attempt cycling and starting over. It is possible, and don't give up no matter what!

Your baby guppies will be fine without their mother. Fortunately baby guppy fry are very independant and can find food and usually hide easily by themselves. Other fish might be able to catch them though if they don't have enough hiding places in the form of very thick plants.

~My deepest sympathy for your bad luck~ I do hope everything can be right again and I really hope this helps! As always you can feel free to email me with anymore questions and concerns you may have.~

I'm really sorry, best wishes and happy fishkeeping!
Karen~