10 gallon tank - high ammonia

[dnntau7]

I had a 5 gallon tank previously and never had an issue with ph/ammonia. About 2 months ago I got a 10 gallon tank and before/right after adding fish all levels were fine (I have 2 danios, a mickey, and a molly). About 2 weeks ago the ammonia spiked to around 2.0.
I did a 50% water change, the next day it was still 2.0. So the next day, I used a gravel vacuum, did a 30% water change, and used ammo-lock. Still 2.0. I took all the decorations, plants, and gravel out and cleaned them with hot water, did another 30% water change, and it was still at 2.0. Next day, I used the gravel vacuum again and went to feeding every other day and a 20% water change. I'm worried about continuing water changes and hurting my fish...but I'm also concerned about the ammonia level.

I'm at a loss. Can anyone help me?

PH- showing between 7.2-7.6
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 0
Ammonia - 2.0

 

[libertybelle]

If you are doing water changes and seeing no drop at all in ammonia after the water change then you have either a bad kit or ammonia in your tap.

Do you see a drop in ammonia right after a water change? Does your treated tap have ammonia. If so how about distilled water (to test the test kit; should read zero)

Fish showing any stress?

 

[Dragonwolf1234]

My blue lobster been acting weird he be walking up n down n sometimes try to escape idk if it’s Bc the water change I did or it’s Bc I have other fishes there with him if u guys could help me out !!?

 

[libertybelle]

You should start your own thread with your own tank parameters and details so people can help you out there, don’t want to get off subject in someone else’s thread!

 

[dnntau7]

If you are doing water changes and seeing no drop at all in ammonia after the water change then you have either a bad kit or ammonia in your tap.

Do you see a drop in ammonia right after a water change? Does your treated tap have ammonia. If so how about distilled water (to test the test kit; should read zero)

Fish showing any stress?

I never even thought about ammonia in my tap water. I actually thought I may be getting a bad read from my test kit, but I tested with both strips and the drops that you add and shake. There isn't even a slight drop after a water change, so I will test regular tap water tonight and see!
My fish aren't showing any behavior changes. They're all swimming around, chasing/playing, and eating like normal which I also thought was odd with an ammonia reading that high.

 

[Skai]

I don't think the water changes will hurt anything. That's just new water. If anything they should be happy for that much new water added to the system so routinely. The only hitch in that is if what libertybelle suggested and there's ammonia in the tap water. You should do a control test on your kit to make sure the measurement you're getting is correct.

Did you fully cycle your tank or use the old filter media to quick start or anything like that?

 

[dnntau7]

I don't think the water changes will hurt anything. That's just new water. If anything they should be happy for that much new water added to the system so routinely. The only hitch in that is if what libertybelle suggested and there's ammonia in the tap water. You should do a control test on your kit to make sure the measurement you're getting is correct.

Did you fully cycle your tank or use the old filter media to quick start or anything like that?

I didn't. I actually didn't know about cycling until after I added my fish. The plants I have in the tank currently are actually fake ones. Do you think that could be an issue or that it would help by adding real ones?

 

[Skai]

I didn't. I actually didn't know about cycling until after I added my fish. The plants I have in the tank currently are actually fake ones. Do you think that could be an issue or that it would help by adding real ones?

Then it sounds like you're probably at the start of the cycle. Real plants will help a bit but you're just going to have to go through the process to grow the beneficial bacteria that takes care of the ammonia either way.

This guide will help get through the process: https://www.aquariumadvice.com/i-just-learned-about-cycling-but-i-already-have-fish-what-now/

 

[libertybelle]

But do also check your tab before and after adding your dechlor.

Even if there is no ammonia in the tap if there are chloramines in your tap water it will get broken down into ammonia (which is detoxified by your conditioner before being processed by your beneficial bacteria).

So it’s not a problem if you see it; it’s just good to know exactly what level of ammonia is in the tap from the breakdown of chloramines.

If you’re still seeing ammonia in your tank for anywhere between a few hours to a day or longer after a water change than you are still cycling and don’t have enough beneficial bacteria yet. If you see ammonia right after a water change but a few hours later it’s gone that’s a normal thing in a cycled tank with chloramines in the tap.

 

[dnntau7]

I tested my tap water and the ammonia level is 0.
Would it be beneficial to try another 50% water change and test again immediately after? Or should I just wait and see at this point?

 

[libertybelle]

Did you test dechlorinated tap?

 

[dnntau7]

Did you test dechlorinated tap?

Yes, I tested dechlorinated, it gave a 0 reading. I did another 40% water change and tested immediately after and once again got a 2.0 reading.

 

[Skai]

Does your fish/pet store do water tests? It might be worth it to take in a sample of your tank water and have them test it. Just to confirm the measurements with a different kit/person doing the readings. The water changes are going to be a pretty constant thing for a while until the bacteria colony is strong enough for your tank.

 

[libertybelle]

Agreed with having the lfs test and maybe even take your kit in and test their water to check your kit against theirs.

If you dilute 2ppm ammonia with water with 0 ppm ammonia 1:1 and test right away there is no reason you shouldn’t see it go down to around 1. That’s just math, yeah?!