Ammonia Problem

[lbirath001]

You might have done something wrong, because you should already be seeing some nitrites by now.

Knowing me... Probably. Just tryn to learn

 

[Fishanatic]

Well it's not cycled! Read this article and follow it's directions.... I just learned about cycling but I already have fish. What now?! - Aquarium Advice

Cycling doesn't happen over night and you have to do daily tank readings and big enough water changes to keep your ammonia and nitrite at .25 or lower. Even if it means doing huge WC's daily. Those ammonia levels are harming the fish.

To add to this, ammonia is less toxic then nitrites. Keeping ammonia at 1ppm is less dangerous then nitrate at 1ppm

 

[Rivercats]

To add to this, ammonia is less toxic then nitrites. Keeping ammonia at 1ppm is less dangerous then nitrate at 1ppm

But that all depends on a tanks ph. If ph is above 7.0 then ammonia is more toxic and becomes more and more toxic the higher the ph. Just as nitrites are more toxic in ph less than 7.0 and become more toxic as ph falls.

 

[lbirath001]

You might have done something wrong, because you should already be seeing some nitrites by now.

I figured it out. I changed the substrate. I had gravel and I changed it to sand.

 

[Fishanatic]

I figured it out. I changed the substrate. I had gravel and I changed it to sand.

That might have destabilized it a bit but most of the BB is in the filter media.

 

[lbirath001]

That might have destabilized it a bit but most of the BB is in the filter media.

I didn't keep it underwater like I should have

 

[lbirath001]

That might have destabilized it a bit but most of the BB is in the filter media.

Last water test was
PH 6.8
Ammonia 1.0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 5.0

 

[lbirath001]

Last water test. Feedback please.

 

[Fishanatic]

Did you test your tap water first? That's very important to determine a base line.

 

[lbirath001]

Did you test your tap water first? That's very important to determine a base line.

I just did the ammonia. It registers at .25

 

[lbirath001]

Did you test your tap water first? That's very important to determine a base line.

Here is a tap water test... What do you think?

 

[Fishanatic]

Here is a tap water test... What do you think?

The PH is a bit high, as well as the ammonia. I think you should look and invest into water treating systems, in case no one else has something as practical.

 

[lbirath001]

The PH is a bit high, as well as the ammonia. I think you should look and invest into water treating systems, in case no one else has something as practical.

What type of water treating system?

 

[Fishanatic]

What type of water treating system?

I'm not sure sorry. Some people here might have some better tips for you. Good Luck!

 

[lbirath001]

New water test

 

[lbirath001]

Just added some turbo start to the tank. The LFS said it would give me all the BB I could need and cycle the tank around a week. I also added done live plants.

 

[lbirath001]

Water test after doing a 60 PWC and adding the turbo start.

PH 7.6
Ammonia .25
Nitrite .5
Nitrate .25

 

[Fishanatic]

Looks good. Let's see if the Ammonia will drop anytime soon. You might see nitrite or nitrate spikes when the time is right.

 

[lbirath001]

Looks good. Let's see if the Ammonia will drop anytime soon. You might see nitrite or nitrate spikes when the time is right.

My test after a 50% water change

Ph 7.6
Ammonia .25
Nitrite .15
Nitrate 5.0

No good......

 

[lbirath001]

My test after a 50% water change

Ph 7.6
Ammonia .25
Nitrite .15
Nitrate 5.0

No good......

Here's a pic of the results.