twoodrough
Aquarium Advice Freak
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2011
- Messages
- 404
I am going to learn how to keep my tank at very low nitrates in the hopes of getting a ram at some point.
Water test today showed ammonia .25 and nitrate 25ppm. I did a 50% water change to get them down. Tested again after about 4 hours to see if I wanted to do another water change to get nitrate down more. Nitrate was better at 12.5. But, the ammonia showed up higher than it did before I did the water change this morning.
I really want to understand this process and know if this result is something I should be worried about. I know someone said ammonia changes to ammonium (?) for 24 hours. Should this be showing up on the test? Is it something I need to worry about? I am sure when I test again tomorrow no ammonia will show, but I don't like the green result today. If I understand more how it works maybe it won't bother me so much.
I use tap water and change about 4 1/2 gallons at a time for a 50% PWC (10 gallon tank). I use about 10 drops of Prime for this amount. That is about 2 drops per gallon with a couple added on for good measure. I add Prime as I fill the container and let it sit for about 10 minutes before adding it to the tank. Do I need more prime? More sitting time?
As I said, I am trying to figure this water thing out more knowing that some day I want a ram. And I won't ever feel comfortable getting one if I am showing ammonia at all. I know if I want really low nitrates I need to do more water changes, but I worry about those PWCs doing more harm than good.
Thanks!
Water test today showed ammonia .25 and nitrate 25ppm. I did a 50% water change to get them down. Tested again after about 4 hours to see if I wanted to do another water change to get nitrate down more. Nitrate was better at 12.5. But, the ammonia showed up higher than it did before I did the water change this morning.
I really want to understand this process and know if this result is something I should be worried about. I know someone said ammonia changes to ammonium (?) for 24 hours. Should this be showing up on the test? Is it something I need to worry about? I am sure when I test again tomorrow no ammonia will show, but I don't like the green result today. If I understand more how it works maybe it won't bother me so much.
I use tap water and change about 4 1/2 gallons at a time for a 50% PWC (10 gallon tank). I use about 10 drops of Prime for this amount. That is about 2 drops per gallon with a couple added on for good measure. I add Prime as I fill the container and let it sit for about 10 minutes before adding it to the tank. Do I need more prime? More sitting time?
As I said, I am trying to figure this water thing out more knowing that some day I want a ram. And I won't ever feel comfortable getting one if I am showing ammonia at all. I know if I want really low nitrates I need to do more water changes, but I worry about those PWCs doing more harm than good.
Thanks!