.05ppm Ammonia a concern?

[RevBlack]

Hi All,

New at fish keeping. My office has no windows so someone suggested I try a freshwater tank to help with ambience. I'm finding the whole thing enjoyable. I was given a 10 gal High Half Moon. It's cycled been up for a month and a half. Two weeks ago I added fish, and things are going well. I do a 25% water change every 7 days. I realize my tank is at capacity and i'm balancing on the edge when it comes to 10 gal water management. As noted in my profile, I upgraded the filter that came with a tank to give a little bit of wiggle room.

My questions are about a .05ppm Ammonia readings at day 5 in the week.

• How concerning is .005 ppm Ammonia?
• Should I do an immediate water change on day 5 or watch it till 7?
• I've been feeding once daily. Is this too often and causing an increase? (Combo flakes/bloodworm)
• How likely is it that the gain in Ammonia is due to the last 3 new fish I added and my cycle is just catching up to the new bio-load?
• Fish are acting fine. I'm not planning on adding any more.

Thanks for the words of wisdom!

 

[pip walters]

The gain is almost certainly due to adding fish, but it is miniscule. Stay with your regime, you are doing absolutely fine.

 

[Brookster123]

I agree with pip, keep an eye on it though, if it gets any higher than it's worth some thought.

 

[Caliban07]

0.005ppm is nothing. 0.05ppm is supposed to be the amount when fish start being affected. Gill burn etc.

Assuming you mean free ammonia.

Here is a useful chart which may help

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f12/your-guide-to-ammonia-toxicity-159994.html

 

[threnjen]

You mention .005, .05. Do you mean .50 reading with a test kit? You wouldn't be able to read .05 or .005

I'm definitely not trying to nitpick you, just trying to clarify the parameters given. I am guessing you meant .50 ppm ammonia from either a strip tester or an API liquid kit.

 

[Caliban07]

You mention .005, .05. Do you mean .50 reading with a test kit? You wouldn't be able to read .05 or .005

I'm definitely not trying to nitpick you, just trying to clarify the parameters given. I am guessing you meant .50 ppm ammonia from either a strip tester or an API liquid kit.

Seachem do a product called ammonia alert which measures free ammonia. However, this measures 0.05ppm and will show 'alert'

Good question though threnjen.