water parameters off

[tom03]

i do not know where else to put this. if wrong location sorry.

i am having a problem with water.

ph 6.2

ammonia 1.0-2.0

nitrite .25-.50

nitrate 80

temp 79.8

fish are dying every day atleast one.

friend told me to put salt in. i did. in the sump about a pint. 3 days ago.

last water change was i think monday night. did 50% in tank. filled with tap and prime from gravel vac to sink.

the petco guy told me to put a small bag of crushed coral to higher the ph. tested day before day of and day after and so far ph has not changed.

salt is gone in sump now. still no change in water parameters. i lost my three loaches and my gold nugget im really upset about my nugget.

also i do have driftwood, lava rocks, cabombas, amazon swords, and what looks like wisteria all with a cilica dust based gravel sand.

i will be up working so anyones help would be appreciated.

fish left are,
1 oranda
6 tiger barbs
1 sterbai
2 irridecent sharks
1 clown pleco
1 royal
1 common

sump is a model 4 all glass. bio balls and bio media in sock below bio ball chamber. 300 micron filter pad above bio balls. little giant pump does 800 gph. 120 tall tank(48x24x24)

i cant think of anything else you would need.

[~Col~]

I would be doing 50%-75% water changes DAILY until you get that ammonia and nitrItes down.

I wouldn't worry too much about the PH until you get the ammonia and nitrItes back to normal. Fiddling with PH now will just add to the stress of the fish.

You could pick up something like API Stress Zyme to help with the ammonia and nitrItes.

Good luck!

[Dagamoth]

that ammonia level is ridiculously high, hold the food for a few days and do daily water changes. Right now that is like breathing pee for your fish.

[SkipW]

I agree with the WC's. You want to keep Ammonia and Nitrites below .5, even your Nitrates are a little high, should try to keep them below 40.
Don't mess with the PH, you seem to be going through a mini cycle and that will only add to your problems.
How long has the tank been set up?

[tom03]

a little over a month maybe 5-6 weeks