I have had my new tropicle tank set up for 5 weeks have 8 guppies and wish to add other fish however on having had the water tested at local aquarium centre they have told me that ammonia levels are really high I have done regular water changes and do not over feed fish.would anybody have recommendations on reducing ammonia.
Ammonia problem.
- Thread starter Nicknack1
- Start date
If the tank has been set up for 5 weeks then it should be cycled by now but sometimes it can take a little longer. If you could answer these questions it might bring us to the root cause.
How big is the tank?
Do you have a filter, and what type/size?
How big is the tank?
Do you have a filter, and what type/size?
How did you cycle the tank btw?
All seems well enough, now for the ammonia. The main thing that I can think of is a possible dead fish rotting somewhere in the tank. If you have lost a fish and can't find it, that can cause the ammonia to go up.
The second thing I can think of is you just might be doing too good a job of cleaning the tank. For a tank to cycle properly, there needs to be a point where all the nitrate/nitrites and ammonia get really high and that leads to a larger colony of beneficial bacteria growing. In your case, that size of tank with what few fish you have would take a fairly long time for the waste products to build up. Maybe you are at the point where ammonia has built up? I'm not totally certain about the Nitrogen cycle so this may be false information. You might want to look it up to get a better understanding.
I can't say anything for sure, you should probably wait for someone with more experience in this area to comment.
The second thing I can think of is you just might be doing too good a job of cleaning the tank. For a tank to cycle properly, there needs to be a point where all the nitrate/nitrites and ammonia get really high and that leads to a larger colony of beneficial bacteria growing. In your case, that size of tank with what few fish you have would take a fairly long time for the waste products to build up. Maybe you are at the point where ammonia has built up? I'm not totally certain about the Nitrogen cycle so this may be false information. You might want to look it up to get a better understanding.
I can't say anything for sure, you should probably wait for someone with more experience in this area to comment.
Am afraid this tank has not been cycled.
Basically it mean there is not enough bacteria to deal with ammonia and nitrite.
I would advise, if you can, to return or ask the LFS if they can hold the guppies and then proceed to start a fishless cycle (this is much easier and usually a lot quicker than trying to do a fish in cycle).
To begin with, will suggest to read the Fishless Cycle article -
Cycle Your First Freshwater Tank
Then this if you cannot or won't return the guppies -
Fish in Cycle Part I
Fish Cycle Part II
You will need one or two things, a water test kit, must include ammonia and nitrite tests at very least. Try to get a liquid or powder based test kit. Better value and more reliable for accuracy of readings.
API Master Freshwater Test kit is a popular choice as it includes nitrate and ph tests as well.
If you decide to go for Fishless Cycle method (highly recommended) then you will need a bottle of ammonia. Easiest method is to find a bottle online, there are household ammonia such as Kleen Off or can get a specialised ammonia for cycles online.
Basically it mean there is not enough bacteria to deal with ammonia and nitrite.
I would advise, if you can, to return or ask the LFS if they can hold the guppies and then proceed to start a fishless cycle (this is much easier and usually a lot quicker than trying to do a fish in cycle).
To begin with, will suggest to read the Fishless Cycle article -
Cycle Your First Freshwater Tank
Then this if you cannot or won't return the guppies -
Fish in Cycle Part I
Fish Cycle Part II
You will need one or two things, a water test kit, must include ammonia and nitrite tests at very least. Try to get a liquid or powder based test kit. Better value and more reliable for accuracy of readings.
API Master Freshwater Test kit is a popular choice as it includes nitrate and ph tests as well.
If you decide to go for Fishless Cycle method (highly recommended) then you will need a bottle of ammonia. Easiest method is to find a bottle online, there are household ammonia such as Kleen Off or can get a specialised ammonia for cycles online.
Well, it helps to know what you are looking for and when to change water when ammonia and nitrite levels rise if you're keeping the guppies.
So using the test kit on a regular basis helps you to keep track of your levels.
Remember, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate are all toxic to fish and will damage their organs of these levels are not kept in check.
So using the test kit on a regular basis helps you to keep track of your levels.
Remember, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate are all toxic to fish and will damage their organs of these levels are not kept in check.
Yes I am aware of that and would not think of adding more fish until sorted.i have become quite attached to the guppies.i have ordered a proper testing kit to keep in check I have been using test strips which are not very accurate thanks for your advise
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