I started six weeks ago.
I have a 55 gallon tank.
I have a couple live plants and a couple fake plants.
I have several caves made of Quartz and Slate(sanitized well).
I have a Eheim 2215, an air wand, and heater.
I have 1 2 1/2" Green Terror that I got for free.
I have 3 small Jack Dempseys that I paid $4.00.
I have 6 Tiger Barbs.
I started by adding declorinated tap water.
After 24 hours I tested the water and it read:
PH 7.2 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite - 0 Nitrate 0
Week one, same.
Week two, 1/4 water exchange and gravel vac (Cichlids seem to be nasty as far as waste) my readings were:
PH 7.0 - Ammonia .50 Nitrite 0 Nitrate 0
Week three, my ammonia was off the scale of 8+ I continued with the same weekly 1/4 water exchange thinking this was my Ammonia spike.
Week four, same readings as the week before and same 1/4 water exchange.
Week five, same readings so I freak out and do a 1/2 water exchange and still keep a 8+ Ammonia level.
Week six, all this week I have done 1/4 water changes daily with slight reduction in Ammonia an hour after testing. Also my Nirite and Nitrate are now at zero.
Overall, I cant believe my fish are still alive.
I'm sure my tests are accurate.
I'm sure my filter is working properly.
If you have any insight into this problem and how I can deal with it would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks
I have a 55 gallon tank.
I have a couple live plants and a couple fake plants.
I have several caves made of Quartz and Slate(sanitized well).
I have a Eheim 2215, an air wand, and heater.
I have 1 2 1/2" Green Terror that I got for free.
I have 3 small Jack Dempseys that I paid $4.00.
I have 6 Tiger Barbs.
I started by adding declorinated tap water.
After 24 hours I tested the water and it read:
PH 7.2 - Ammonia 0 - Nitrite - 0 Nitrate 0
Week one, same.
Week two, 1/4 water exchange and gravel vac (Cichlids seem to be nasty as far as waste) my readings were:
PH 7.0 - Ammonia .50 Nitrite 0 Nitrate 0
Week three, my ammonia was off the scale of 8+ I continued with the same weekly 1/4 water exchange thinking this was my Ammonia spike.
Week four, same readings as the week before and same 1/4 water exchange.
Week five, same readings so I freak out and do a 1/2 water exchange and still keep a 8+ Ammonia level.
Week six, all this week I have done 1/4 water changes daily with slight reduction in Ammonia an hour after testing. Also my Nirite and Nitrate are now at zero.
Overall, I cant believe my fish are still alive.
I'm sure my tests are accurate.
I'm sure my filter is working properly.
If you have any insight into this problem and how I can deal with it would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks