Ammonia ?
- Thread starter obarrera
- Start date
crazy4reefs
Member
do water changes until the ammonia reads 0 and make sure there is not any dead critters in your tank.. when you do a water change you could take a turkey baster (new one) and blow off the rocks and vacuum out the debirs when you do the water change.
belothsurf
Member
Duke!......you said poop!
He-he.....he said poop.
Anyway, Ammonia is a chemical, it results usually from a breakdown of other chemicals. It happens in us humans too, but thanks to our livers and kidneys, we dispose of it rather quickly.
Ammonia in a fish tank is usually the chemical breakdown of fish food, decaying material, and of course, fish poop. Ammonia, at high enough levels, is very deadly to fish, and also humans for that matter. Fortunately for humans, we don't live in a tiny closed ecosystem. Which is what a tank is. Fortunately for us tank lovers, certain bacteria take over and eat the ammonia, but it is a very delicate balance, hence the nitrogen cycle.
HTH :happyfish
He-he.....he said poop.
Anyway, Ammonia is a chemical, it results usually from a breakdown of other chemicals. It happens in us humans too, but thanks to our livers and kidneys, we dispose of it rather quickly.
Ammonia in a fish tank is usually the chemical breakdown of fish food, decaying material, and of course, fish poop. Ammonia, at high enough levels, is very deadly to fish, and also humans for that matter. Fortunately for humans, we don't live in a tiny closed ecosystem. Which is what a tank is. Fortunately for us tank lovers, certain bacteria take over and eat the ammonia, but it is a very delicate balance, hence the nitrogen cycle.
HTH :happyfish
obarrera
Member
Originally posted by crazy4reefs
do water changes until the ammonia reads 0 and make sure there is not any dead critters in your tank.. when you do a water change you could take a turkey baster (new one) and blow off the rocks and vacuum out the debirs when you do the water change.
Can BIG water changes casue ammonia?
Just asking cause I heard that somewhere.:notsure:
crazy4reefs
Member
i dont know the answer to that but i would suggest small water changes more often.
B
big911dog
Guest
most people suggest 10% per week, but that can be broken down into 5% twice a week, etc.
belothsurf....u CRACK ME UP!!!
belothsurf....u CRACK ME UP!!!
dskidmore
Active Member
Originally posted by obarrera
Can BIG water changes casue ammonia?
Just asking cause I heard that somewhere.:notsure:
If your tank is still cycling, big water changes can delay the cycle, prolonging the period of high ammonia. If your tank is mature, I don't see how big water changes could cause ammonia.
belothsurf
Member
Water changes decrease ammonia. Water changes should be done on a regular basis, once your tank has cycled. 10-20% every week or 2 is a good rule of thumb.
If you just set up your tank, ammonia will rise until a bacteria population grows and eats it up. Then Nitrites will rise, and bacteria will grow and eat that. Then you will have no ammonia, no nitrites, and just nitrates. High nitrates are bad but not usually harmful to fish. Not good for corals though. Water changes will keep nitrates low, and replinish other minerals and stuff.
If you just set up your tank, ammonia will rise until a bacteria population grows and eats it up. Then Nitrites will rise, and bacteria will grow and eat that. Then you will have no ammonia, no nitrites, and just nitrates. High nitrates are bad but not usually harmful to fish. Not good for corals though. Water changes will keep nitrates low, and replinish other minerals and stuff.
obarrera
Member
Originally posted by belothsurf
Water changes decrease ammonia. Water changes should be done on a regular basis, once your tank has cycled. 10-20% every week or 2 is a good rule of thumb.
If you just set up your tank, ammonia will rise until a bacteria population grows and eats it up. Then Nitrites will rise, and bacteria will grow and eat that. Then you will have no ammonia, no nitrites, and just nitrates. High nitrates are bad but not usually harmful to fish. Not good for corals though. Water changes will keep nitrates low, and replinish other minerals and stuff.
So my damn tank could still be cycling?
I've been doing about 12% water changes every week that's why I don't understand why I have ammonia,and I know my bioload is not that big.
B
big911dog
Guest
ayup....water changes aren't usually done during cycling (although I have heard of people doing it). after the ammonia spike which goes to zero and the nitrite spike which does the same, thats when u start water changes to take the nitrates down.
:yes:
:yes: