Instructions
Change the water in your tank weekly. You don't need to change all the water in the tank. A change of 15 to 20 percent of the water is sufficient to remove dirt and decaying bacteria, as long as you have a filtration system in the tank. You will reduce the ammonia levels and prevent other problems that result from a dirty tank.
Reduce the amount of food you're giving your fish. Having too much fish food in the tank increases ammonia levels. Avoid adding any food to the tank for a day or two until the ammonia levels naturally decrease.
Start your tank out small. Too many fish when you first get your setup going overwhelm the tank before the cycle has a chance to regulate itself. Allow the water to filter and get a feel for the conditions of the tank such as the water temperature, pH and ammonia levels, and then consider adding more fish if you want to expand your aquarium.
Check daily for dead fish and plants. When fish and plants decay, they release ammonia into the water and cause levels to spike above normal. Remove them as soon as possible to prevent ammonia poisoning.
Pour in an ammonia-removal product if your tank has dangerous levels of ammonia that put your fish in immediate danger. However, they don't fix the problem completely and they work only as a temporary solution. Prevention is the best way to keep your fish healthy.
How to Treat Ammonia in an Aquarium
Fish are common choices for pets because they're relatively low maintenance, but don't let this confuse you. Fish need to be fed and their habitat must remain clean for them to thrive. If you have excessive levels of ammonia in your tank your fish can die. Symptoms of ammonia poisoning in your tank include lethargy, your fish refusing to eat or fish gasping at the top of the tank. Altering the conditions of your tank will reduce ammonia levels and ensure your fish remain healthy.