Nuked tank and need advice

MajorDad74

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Hey gang. I recently destroyed my tank by over dosing ammonium bicarbonate. I have memory issues from a car accident and forgot I was adding it which dosed for an hour and used half a gallon instead of a few ml. I lost 80% of live stock which is making me sick. The rest are in quarantine and doing well.
First water change was 40 gallons. Next day another 10. Yesterday, 70. This is a 129 gallon system. Iv’e been adding Dr t live bacteria and Fritz’s. It’s only a little better.

I am absolutely sick and lost and need some help before I make it worse or give up completely.

Thanks in advance
 

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Personally I would keep diluting, if this was my system I would do another 75% w/c. Re test levels after. Things will not be happy but dilution and bringing that level down will be crucial.
 
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MajorDad74

MajorDad74

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Personally I would keep diluting, if this was my system I would do another 75% w/c. Re test levels after. Things will not be happy but dilution and bringing that level down will be crucial.
The only inhabitants in the tank now are a couple emerald crabs, a fire shrimp and a few green hairy mushrooms. That’s it.
 

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Hey gang. I recently destroyed my tank by over dosing ammonium bicarbonate. I have memory issues from a car accident and forgot I was adding it which dosed for an hour and used half a gallon instead of a few ml. I lost 80% of live stock which is making me sick. The rest are in quarantine and doing well.
First water change was 40 gallons. Next day another 10. Yesterday, 70. This is a 129 gallon system. Iv’e been adding Dr t live bacteria and Fritz’s. It’s only a little better.

I am absolutely sick and lost and need some help before I make it worse or give up completely.

Thanks in advance
I'm sorry to hear about your loses, I know how frustrating something like this can be 🙂

You've done a lot of water change, which should have helped. Do you know your ammonia concentration at this point?
 
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MajorDad74

MajorDad74

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Hey gang. I recently destroyed my tank by over dosing ammonium bicarbonate. I have memory issues from a car accident and forgot I was adding it which dosed for an hour and used half a gallon instead of a few ml. I lost 80% of live stock which is making me sick. The rest are in quarantine and doing well.
First water change was 40 gallons. Next day another 10. Yesterday, 70. This is a 129 gallon system. Iv’e been adding Dr t live bacteria and Fritz’s. It’s only a little better.

I am absolutely sick and lost and need some help before I make it worse or give up completely.

Thanks in advance
I'm sorry to hear about your loses, I know how frustrating something like this can be 🙂

You've done a lot of water change, which should have helped. Do you know your ammonia concentration at this point?
It’s about 8ppm
 

zheka757

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I also agree with ithers, water changes probably best course, I wouldn't add any live bacteria just yet, wait untill you amonia is under control, you can start dosing bacteria when you amonia is under 1ppm,
 

zheka757

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How about amonia removal additive?they sell them out there?
 

Randy Holmes-Farley

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If the ammonia is 8 ppm, I’d still add bacteria and continue water changes until ammonia hits 2 ppm.

Keep the pH low to reduce toxicity. Maybe even add an acid slowly to reduce alk and pH. Alk to 5-6 dKH and pH 7.5 will reduce tox a lot. Maybe even lower is desirable.
 
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MajorDad74

MajorDad74

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If the ammonia is 8 ppm, I’d still add bacteria and continue water changes until ammonia hits 2 ppm.

Keep the pH low to reduce toxicity. Maybe even add an acid slowly to reduce alk and pH. Alk to 5-6 dKH and pH 7.5 will reduce tox a lot. Maybe even lower is desirable.
Should I use distilled vinegar or do you have a supplement you recommend?
 

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MajorDad74

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Left
20251022_183338_54AFBA7C-48DB-4F98-9373-C7425D78D51D.png
Left is yesterday right just now. I lost about 6ppm in 24 hours. Somehow I keep pushing even though I want to quit. This has been an absolutely heartbreaking experience. I’ve learned I have to rely on my doser and be patient.
Thanks to everyone who reached out !
 

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