Ammonia problem - Aquarium Advice

EMTtony · 10-04-2005, 01:33 PM

I am having issues in my 20gal. The ammonia spiked while I was away for the hurricane, killing 4 guppies and 2 frogs. I have been back almost 3 weeks and it is still a 3.0. Even with water changes it won't break but 1.0 to 1.5 [acronym:a47832ca90="Parts per Million"]ppm[/acronym:a47832ca90]. It's driving me nuts! Nothing is in the tank but driftwood, live plants(which look pretty good), and an airstone.

talloulou · 10-04-2005, 02:01 PM

I would do daily water changes to get rid of the ammonia. Also check your source water out to make sure it's okay.

**An t-iasg** · 10-04-2005, 02:03 PM

Sorry about your fish

Maybe one of the dead fish are still stuck in the tank somehow, releasing ammonia?

Jchillin · 10-04-2005, 02:42 PM

I agree...check your filter for possible remains as well.

**Fishyfanatic** · 10-04-2005, 02:45 PM

Also, what kind of dechlorinator are you using? Does your water company use chloramines instead of chlorine?

Menagerie · 10-04-2005, 03:08 PM

Daily [acronym:83781b3594="Partial water change"]PWC[/acronym:83781b3594] and a lots of vacuuming.

jcarlilesiu · 10-04-2005, 06:14 PM

im confused... so you have no fish in the tank? Let the ammonia spike, if you have a dead fish in there, you should automatically start your cycle again, and have your nitrates back up in no time and ready for fish...

maybe im confused as to the situation

are you worried about WHY its spiking with nothing in there?

10-04-2005, 07:00 PM

do you have a filter for the bacteria to grow on? are thier fish in the tank?

Bhunsucker · 10-04-2005, 09:07 PM

How long has the tank been currently setup? Did it Cycle?

EMTtony · 10-05-2005, 12:35 AM

There are no fish in the tank currently. I did a 4 [acronym:25335e2668="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:25335e2668] change earlier and the level was 0.5 afterwards. I thought the tank had cycled before I left because it had spiked once and dropped off before adding fish. My fiance' did water changes while I was gone, and the fish died over a week period. I may have had a disease but no idea I never got to see my deceased fish. It would be a PITA to start over, but I may have to, I just don't know what to do with all my live plants. She said she couldn't find one of the fish, and I have searched for it, and can't find it either. Do I need to drain the tank and start again? Or will it works itself out?

10-04-2005, 01:33 PM	#1
EMTtony Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Seattle,WA Posts: 86	Ammonia problem I am having issues in my 20gal. The ammonia spiked while I was away for the hurricane, killing 4 guppies and 2 frogs. I have been back almost 3 weeks and it is still a 3.0. Even with water changes it won't break but 1.0 to 1.5 [acronym:a47832ca90="Parts per Million"]ppm[/acronym:a47832ca90]. It's driving me nuts! Nothing is in the tank but driftwood, live plants(which look pretty good), and an airstone.

10-04-2005, 02:01 PM	#2
talloulou Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Washington Posts: 2,092 Images: 17	I would do daily water changes to get rid of the ammonia. Also check your source water out to make sure it's okay. __________________ http://talloulou.smugmug.com/

10-04-2005, 02:42 PM	#4
Jchillin Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: New York, NY (The Big Apple) Posts: 12,970 Images: 47	I agree...check your filter for possible remains as well. __________________ _________________________________

10-04-2005, 02:45 PM	#5
Fishyfanatic Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Illinois Posts: 10,267 Images: 15	Also, what kind of dechlorinator are you using? Does your water company use chloramines instead of chlorine? __________________ Vote for Aquarium Advice 10 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid Fry 29 Gallon Community 55 Gallon Community 55 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid Fry 150 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid

10-04-2005, 03:08 PM	#6
Menagerie Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Vancouver, WA Posts: 11,266 Images: 77	Daily [acronym:83781b3594="Partial water change"]PWC[/acronym:83781b3594] and a lots of vacuuming. __________________

10-04-2005, 06:14 PM	#7
jcarlilesiu Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Chicago Posts: 686 Images: 5	im confused... so you have no fish in the tank? Let the ammonia spike, if you have a dead fish in there, you should automatically start your cycle again, and have your nitrates back up in no time and ready for fish... maybe im confused as to the situation are you worried about WHY its spiking with nothing in there?

10-04-2005, 07:00 PM	#8
Guest Posts: n/a	do you have a filter for the bacteria to grow on? are thier fish in the tank?

10-04-2005, 09:07 PM	#9
Bhunsucker Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: North Carolina Posts: 385	How long has the tank been currently setup? Did it Cycle? __________________ ---------------------------------- "Fly Low Avoid the Radar" 55Gal [acronym:b33c6825e9="Freshwater"]FW[/acronym:b33c6825e9] Aquarium AquaClear 110/500 Filter 45gal Clarity Plus Aquarium Wet/Dry DLS Aquatics Filteration System

10-05-2005, 12:35 AM	#10
EMTtony Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Seattle,WA Posts: 86	There are no fish in the tank currently. I did a 4 [acronym:25335e2668="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:25335e2668] change earlier and the level was 0.5 afterwards. I thought the tank had cycled before I left because it had spiked once and dropped off before adding fish. My fiance' did water changes while I was gone, and the fish died over a week period. I may have had a disease but no idea I never got to see my deceased fish. It would be a PITA to start over, but I may have to, I just don't know what to do with all my live plants. She said she couldn't find one of the fish, and I have searched for it, and can't find it either. Do I need to drain the tank and start again? Or will it works itself out?

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