ChrisAF1983
Aquarium Advice Newbie
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2013
- Messages
- 8
I am having problems with my ammonia levels with my newish tank. Ammonia levels are currently at 4ppm. Here are the details.
The tank is 10 gallons. I currently have 2 glofish tetras and 1 bloodfin tetra. I had another bloodfin but it died in about 3 weeks. The tank has been setup for about 5 weeks. I did not do a fishless cycle.
After the fish died I bought an API complete test kit. At that time on 10 December the readings were:
PH: 8.8
Ammonia: 4-8 ppm
Nitrites and Nitrates : 0 ppm
Because of the high ammonia levels I did a 50% water change. I then left the tank untouched for 2.5 weeks. Just yesterday, the readings were:
PH: 8.4
Ammonia: 4 ppm
Nitrites: 0 ppm
Nitrates: between 0 and 5 ppm.
I also added a does of PH down because I read that tetras like somewhere between a PH of 6.5 to 6.8
A couple other notes: I am having a diatom bloom. Also, there is absolutely no growth on the bio-wheel that is part of the filter.
So, my questions are:
-What should I do about the high ammonia levels?
-Should I do anything about the diatoms or wait to clean them until the cycle is over?
-Is no growth on the bio wheel an indication of something else wrong?
Thanks for your help!
The tank is 10 gallons. I currently have 2 glofish tetras and 1 bloodfin tetra. I had another bloodfin but it died in about 3 weeks. The tank has been setup for about 5 weeks. I did not do a fishless cycle.
After the fish died I bought an API complete test kit. At that time on 10 December the readings were:
PH: 8.8
Ammonia: 4-8 ppm
Nitrites and Nitrates : 0 ppm
Because of the high ammonia levels I did a 50% water change. I then left the tank untouched for 2.5 weeks. Just yesterday, the readings were:
PH: 8.4
Ammonia: 4 ppm
Nitrites: 0 ppm
Nitrates: between 0 and 5 ppm.
I also added a does of PH down because I read that tetras like somewhere between a PH of 6.5 to 6.8
A couple other notes: I am having a diatom bloom. Also, there is absolutely no growth on the bio-wheel that is part of the filter.
So, my questions are:
-What should I do about the high ammonia levels?
-Should I do anything about the diatoms or wait to clean them until the cycle is over?
-Is no growth on the bio wheel an indication of something else wrong?
Thanks for your help!