I am cycling a 36 gallon aquarium with 10 fish (I know too many, but I didn't know till too late). I am 12 days into it and ammonia levels have been minor, but two days ago ammonia spiked to a whopping 4.0! I am doing daily water changes ranging from 25-40% and using Prime when changing water and keep temps level. Ammonia did lower to 2.0 yesterday. However, I checked ammonia levels again tonight and it still registered at 2.0 even after a 25% water change today. I did read where API ammonia test will read both free ammonia and also non-toxic ammonia giving a higher reading when using Prime. Is this true? Also, should I leave my tank at it's current 2.0 or do yet another small water change for the second time today? I don't want to stress the fish further with excess water changes, but don't know if Prime will be enough to help them through this, albeit the fish are lively thus far. I ordered Seachem's Multi-test ammonia kit to make sure I am not stressing over non-toxic ammonia reading.
Would welcome feedback!
Would welcome feedback!