being in trouble. We don't know how often someone did a partial (10%, 20% 25%) water change on that aquarium at work. Those partial water changes, with "seasoned" water are good, even essential, for the guppies. If they haven't had many water changes in quite a time, they probably only should have a 10% water change the first time. Otherwise they could endure some serious chemical shock.
I did that with a neglected tank today. The water I put in there has sat in an open holding container for two weeks. We only have chlorine put in our municipal water supply, as opposed to chlorine and ammonia (= chloramine) in many larger urban systems in the U.S. By sitting for that time most of the chlorine will have dissipated into the air. Extra carbon dioxide and nitrogen, also common in tap water, should have mostly left the sitting water too. (I would be wise to put an airstone in it, but can't at the moment.) If the water sits a few days, it also absorbs some free oxygen. This makes the water we are changing into the aquariums much less dangerous for our fish.
If you know what is in the tap water, it may be worth your while to put in a water conditioner too. Some water services can tell you; if they can't, one of your better fish shops should be able to give advice.
It may work as a quick fix, check with a local pet shop, if one is available and ask them about water conditioners. If your guppies are swimming at the surface only, they probably do not have enough oxygen. There is usually a little more oxygen right under the surface.
If the tank has a filter with activated carbon and the carbon is very old, put new activated carbon in there. Activated carbon is usually "done" as a chemical filter after two weeks. In crowded tanks, it can be used up sooner.
People in some places will even install a carbon block on their kitchen water supply. The carbon (while it is active) will take nitrogen, ammonia, chlorine and about 99% of the dangerous heavy metals and pesticides out of their water. Really involved aquarists, with several tanks may also get a carbon block (actually often an insert into a cylinder) to make their fish's water safer too.
That is getting really involved in the hobby. Most aquarists would never do that for just their fish, but it illustrates what good can come of forcing water through a carbon block.
I'm guessing that the water faucet filters operate in much the same way. I wouldn't be at all surprised to find that activated carbon is one of the elements in that faucet filter.
All the best!
uncle scott
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