Ammonia Issue

[jayson417]

Its Day 7 Now with the ammonia over 2 it first started out very low at .25 and slowly it went up and up from 2 to 4 to 6 and now its topped out at 6. As you can see from previous posts I've done water changes, Ammo Lock, Added a second filter and slowed down feeding.
At this point i just finished setting up my QT so i have a life boat when things start to go south. My fish are active and eating. Both Puffers are hogs. My fox face seems to be hiding a great deal but i think he is just being skidish because of the ammonia.
Any advice at this time would help as im out of answers and my LFS has tried to sell me everything under the sun related to ammonia(which i didn't buy).

 

[flower]

You know what...with ammonia that high your fish would be dead already. You said they were gasping at 0.25 which I doubt it was ammonia because my tank stays at 0.25 for over 2 months now. 0.25 is barely readable on the test. Are you absolutely sure your test kit is accurate?
There is just no way, if nothing is dead in the tank that it would raise to 6. Just no way...something is off.

 

[jayson417]

Originally Posted by Flower
http:///forum/post/3025639
You know what...with ammonia that high your fish would be dead already. You said they were gasping at 0.25 which I doubt it was ammonia because my tank stays at 0.25 for over 2 months now. 0.25 is barely readable on the test. Are you absolutely sure your test kit is accurate?
There is just no way, if nothing is dead in the tank that it would raise to 6. Just no way...something is off.
I did 5ML of water in the test tube and did 8 drops from bottle #1 and 8 drops from bottle #2 shake for 5 seconds and wait 5 min's. It turns dark green. I have a saltwater test kit from API its brand new.
it registers at 6.00

 

[flower]

Originally Posted by Jayson417
http:///forum/post/3025644
I did 5ML of water in the test tube and did 8 drops from bottle #1 and 8 drops from bottle #2 shake for 5 seconds and wait 5 min's. It turns dark green. I have a saltwater test kit from API its brand new.
it registers at 6.00
Can you take a sample of your water to a LFS? Have them test it for you and see if the readings are the same. Something is amiss.

 

[jayson417]

That was one of the first things i did and it registered the same. Do you do 8 drops from each bottle also?
Like you said earlier which is stumping me, Why is it at 6 and the fish are fine. My theory is that the Sand on the bottom has so much detritus that its keeping it this high.
Can you vacuum sand?

 

[jayson417]

Ammonia has dropped to .25 now and still falling. I vacuumed the sand and used this stuff called biozyme to add bacteria. Also used Ammo Neutralizer.
Fish are happy as ever.
Thanks for all your help everyone.

 

[soulsigma]

Originally Posted by wattsupdoc
http:///forum/post/3023937
When you clean your filters do it in used SW ONLY. Fresh water can destroy the bacteria on your filters. Also if you change the filters, do them at different times. Not all at once if possible. If you just changed out both your filters and have new filtration then you just eliminated some of your existent bacteria. Changing the pads was not a good thing at this point and bad advise also.
Sorry to disappoint you but in no way was it bad advise give to the member regarding cleaning his filter pads and the canister both of which have absolutely nothing to do with the establishment and maintaning of beneficial bacterial. The average canister filter is equipped for MECHANICAL (sponges and pads) many of which are used as a pre-filtering/ polishing device to aid in helping to keep you biological and chemical media clean !, CHEMICAL (carbon, phosphate removers ect..,) and BIOLOGICAL (bio balls,bio-bale, ect..,). It is in the biological media which provides the proper surface texture and optimum void space which allows for greater adhesion, resulting in rapid bacteria growth, this is the media that must not be disturbed. So it was bad advice on your behalf telling someone that not to clean their filter pads because this is where their bacteria is established and in doing so they will eliminate this bacteria, you are setting them up for improper care and husbandry of a canister filter. The MACHANICAL filter need to be cleaned on a weekly basis in reference to the individuals bio-load, and the CHEMICAL media needs to be replaced/regenerated in accordance to the instructions on the label which could average a couple of days all the way up to six month period before needing replacement it all depends on the product and what it is being used for. This is why peoples canister filters become a nitrate factory because you are advising them not clean or replace the filtration pads because you believe that in doing so will disrupt some of their bacteria

very interesting.

 

[wattsupdoc]

Originally Posted by soulsigma
http:///forum/post/3027750
Sorry to disappoint you but in no way was it bad advise give to the member regarding cleaning his filter pads and the canister both of which have absolutely nothing to do with the establishment and maintaning of beneficial bacterial. The average canister filter is equipped for MECHANICAL (sponges and pads) many of which are used as a pre-filtering/ polishing device to aid in helping to keep you biological and chemical media clean !, CHEMICAL (carbon, phosphate removers ect..,) and BIOLOGICAL (bio balls,bio-bale, ect..,). It is in the biological media which provides the proper surface texture and optimum void space which allows for greater adhesion, resulting in rapid bacteria growth, this is the media that must not be disturbed. So it was bad advice on your behalf telling someone that not to clean their filter pads because this is where their bacteria is established and in doing so they will eliminate this bacteria, you are setting them up for improper care and husbandry of a canister filter. The MACHANICAL filter need to be cleaned on a weekly basis in reference to the individuals bio-load, and the CHEMICAL media needs to be replaced/regenerated in accordance to the instructions on the label which could average a couple of days all the way up to six month period before needing replacement it all depends on the product and what it is being used for. This is why peoples canister filters become a nitrate factory because you are advising them not clean or replace the filtration pads because you believe that in doing so will disrupt some of their bacteria

very interesting.

If you would READ MY POST, you quoted it, so I didnt have to go back to find it. You would see that the information I gave them was very good advise. Go back and read it before you inacurately discount it. Nowhere did I say not to clean them. In fact I told them how to properly clean them. GEEEZ man people really need to learn to comunicate around here. READ IT AND UNSDERSTAND IT, then you will see you owe me an apology.....

 

[wattsupdoc]

Originally Posted by Jayson417
http:///forum/post/3027689
Ammonia has dropped to .25 now and still falling. I vacuumed the sand and used this stuff called biozyme to add bacteria. Also used Ammo Neutralizer.
Fish are happy as ever.
Thanks for all your help everyone.
AWESOME! your welcome friend!