still havent received answer, asking again

[scriptwiz05]

hi, i have a question about ich. I put some coppersafe in there yesterday, well today, they look even sicker and one dided. the bottle never said i was supposed to remmove the carbon filter, so can i try with other stuff? or if i put other stuff in there will it kill the tetras? i also have platys. secondly, my tank is STILL not cycled, my ammonia is at 2.5, (ive read that that level is ok because my ph is higher?) so if I do a water change will that affect the ich medication? my main question is, is it safe to go with more medication since i did not take out the carbon? or do i just have to let them ride it out?

nitrite .05
ph 7.4
temp 80 degrees
am 2.5
Edit/Delete Message

[Lady Hobbs]

First of all, ammonia levels of 2.5 is never safe. Even at 1 the water is very, very toxic.

Do a "large" water change, (to get rid of the meds and reduce your ammonia level) turn your temps up to 82-84 and add aquarium salt. If you have some Kosher salt (pickling) salt there at your house, that's the same thing as tank salt.

Treat asap as ick can kill them quickly. Even when you no longer see ick on the fish, leave the salt for 5-7 more days as ick falls to the bottom and reproduce after falling from the fish. Their lifespan is 5 days so continuing treatment for 7 is sure to get rid of them.

If using salt, you can leave the carbon in. If using meds, carbon must be removed and then replaced when treatment is finished.

[scriptwiz05]

thanks for the reply, i just did a 50 percent water change 2 days ago and now the ammonia is going back up, does this sound like its finally starting to hit the spike in the cycle? one more question, can i use salt if i have tetras in there?

[Lady Hobbs]

Yes to the tetra's as well. I am currently treating my own tank with tetra's and neons.

Your ammonia got up there very fast in two days. What size is your tank and how many fish do you have in it? If it's a small tank, the toxic levels in those get very high, very fast due to less concentration of water. Do another water change or they will die for sure. Then add your salt. Dissolve the salt in some hot water and add.

PS............since you are trying to cycle......clean nothing. Do not clean the gravel or change the filter media or you will have to start over.

[MeganL3985]

Ammonia doesn't typically spike that I am aware of.....only when ur overfeeding or have too many fish (correct me if i'm wrong)..... And more than likely your fish died from ammonia poisoning and not from the illness.

[Lady Hobbs]

Spiking is when toxic levels hit the top before coming back down.

[MeganL3985]

Gotcha, I thought it was when it just goes from nothing to being really high, out of no where.