Ammonia Showing

[cambojnr]

my tank has been setup 2 months now and was cycled I have 7 neon tetras but added a bristlenose plec 2 days ago and now my ammonia is about 0.10-0.25 ppm since I added the the plec my nitrite is still 0 and my nitrates about 0.20ppm, I did a 25% water change and the reading is still the same. is my tank going through a mini cycle and what should I do?

 

[the_lock_man]

How did you cycle it? What test kit are you using? And could you clarify what you mean by a "255 water change" - I imagine it's a typo, but I can't quite guess what for.

THe chances are it's just the filter taking a while to catch up with the extra ammonia produced by the plec - they do produce a helluva lot of waste.

 

[cambojnr]

How did you cycle it? What test kit are you using? And could you clarify what you mean by a "255 water change" - I imagine it's a typo, but I can't quite guess what for.

THe chances are it's just the filter taking a while to catch up with the extra ammonia produced by the plec - they do produce a helluva lot of waste.

it was cycled with 4 gold fish when I started out 2 months ago and didint know nothing about cycling but when I started doing research on my fish I decided to rehome them in a pond and set up tropical, it was only 2 days from the goldfish leaving till i put my neons in and even with the 4 goldfish my tank somehow cycled in a month with daily water changes, am using an api freshwater master testkit. also its only a 15 gal but have been told thats fine for a bristlenose thats why i got one to clean all my algea.

 

[Mauigirl]

THe chances are it's just the filter taking a while to catch up with the extra ammonia produced by the plec - they do produce a helluva lot of waste.

A day at most? Bacteria to do the job in the am probably.

I have had surprising results, only to be discounted with a retest.
Sometimes random things will screw up a test .. so if in doubt redraw and retest.
If you were already cycled, I doubt the addition of one fish, however messy it could be would spike a tank..

 

[cambojnr]

THe chances are it's just the filter taking a while to catch up with the extra ammonia produced by the plec - they do produce a helluva lot of waste.

A day at most? Bacteria to do the job in the am probably.

I have had surprising results, only to be discounted with a retest.
Sometimes random things will screw up a test .. so if in doubt redraw and retest.
If you were already cycled, I doubt the addition of one fish, however messy it could be would spike a tank..

it could be contamination what is the best way to clean the test tubes as I just rinse them under cold water and then pop them upside down on toilet role but they never seem fully dry inside could that affect test somehow?

 

[Mauigirl]

THe chances are it's just the filter taking a while to catch up with the extra ammonia produced by the plec - they do produce a helluva lot of waste.

A day at most? Bacteria to do the job in the am probably.

I have had surprising results, only to be discounted with a retest.
Sometimes random things will screw up a test .. so if in doubt redraw and retest.
If you were already cycled, I doubt the addition of one fish, however messy it could be would spike a tank..

it could be contamination what is the best way to clean the test tubes as I just rinse them under cold water and then pop them upside down on toilet role but they never seem fully dry inside could that affect test somehow?

I just rinse under tap and shake upside down vigorously. Then shake again upside down b4 i fill for test.
If concerned take a cup of tank water and rinse with that..
take into account the way you draw for the test as well.

 

[CezzaXV]

THe chances are it's just the filter taking a while to catch up with the extra ammonia produced by the plec - they do produce a helluva lot of waste.

A day at most? Bacteria to do the job in the am probably.

I have had surprising results, only to be discounted with a retest.
Sometimes random things will screw up a test .. so if in doubt redraw and retest.
If you were already cycled, I doubt the addition of one fish, however messy it could be would spike a tank..

It depends how big the plec is. I reckon a good sized plec could easily produce as much waste as 7 neons. The bioload could have doubled.

 

[cambojnr]

THe chances are it's just the filter taking a while to catch up with the extra ammonia produced by the plec - they do produce a helluva lot of waste.

A day at most? Bacteria to do the job in the am probably.

I have had surprising results, only to be discounted with a retest.
Sometimes random things will screw up a test .. so if in doubt redraw and retest.
If you were already cycled, I doubt the addition of one fish, however messy it could be would spike a tank..

It depends how big the plec is. I reckon a good sized plec could easily produce as much waste as 7 neons. The bioload could have doubled.

its about 2 inches long

 

[Mauigirl]

THe chances are it's just the filter taking a while to catch up with the extra ammonia produced by the plec - they do produce a helluva lot of waste.

A day at most? Bacteria to do the job in the am probably.

I have had surprising results, only to be discounted with a retest.
Sometimes random things will screw up a test .. so if in doubt redraw and retest.
If you were already cycled, I doubt the addition of one fish, however messy it could be would spike a tank..

It depends how big the plec is. I reckon a good sized plec could easily produce as much waste as 7 neons. The bioload could have doubled.

True enough, is it safe to say the bacteria CAN double in 24 hrs? if this holds true then if bio-load in this case is culprit. A bit of a water change and retest tomorrow?

Allot of the responders are much better suited to help you.. I am still learning and should not truly be giving advice just yet.

I would however be curious if a retest returned a better result, as I have had this be the case a few times.

 

[the_lock_man]

THe chances are it's just the filter taking a while to catch up with the extra ammonia produced by the plec - they do produce a helluva lot of waste.

A day at most? Bacteria to do the job in the am probably.

I have had surprising results, only to be discounted with a retest.
Sometimes random things will screw up a test .. so if in doubt redraw and retest.
If you were already cycled, I doubt the addition of one fish, however messy it could be would spike a tank..

In an immature filter, which this is, then I would expect bacterial growth to be slower than in an older one. And plecs do produce a lot of waste, it's a lot to expect the bacteria to cope with.

THe chances are it's just the filter taking a while to catch up with the extra ammonia produced by the plec - they do produce a helluva lot of waste.

A day at most? Bacteria to do the job in the am probably.

I have had surprising results, only to be discounted with a retest.
Sometimes random things will screw up a test .. so if in doubt redraw and retest.
If you were already cycled, I doubt the addition of one fish, however messy it could be would spike a tank..

It depends how big the plec is. I reckon a good sized plec could easily produce as much waste as 7 neons. The bioload could have doubled.

True enough, is it safe to say the bacteria CAN double in 24 hrs? if this holds true then if bio-load in this case is culprit. A bit of a water change and retest tomorrow?

Allot of the responders are much better suited to help you.. I am still learning and should not truly be giving advice just yet.

I would however be curious if a retest returned a better result, as I have had this be the case a few times.

A spurious test certainly shouldn't be ruled out, so yes give it another go, and see if you get the same. If you do, a water change and test tomorrow.

 

[cambojnr]

THe chances are it's just the filter taking a while to catch up with the extra ammonia produced by the plec - they do produce a helluva lot of waste.

A day at most? Bacteria to do the job in the am probably.

I have had surprising results, only to be discounted with a retest.
Sometimes random things will screw up a test .. so if in doubt redraw and retest.
If you were already cycled, I doubt the addition of one fish, however messy it could be would spike a tank..

It depends how big the plec is. I reckon a good sized plec could easily produce as much waste as 7 neons. The bioload could have doubled.

True enough, is it safe to say the bacteria CAN double in 24 hrs? if this holds true then if bio-load in this case is culprit. A bit of a water change and retest tomorrow?

Allot of the responders are much better suited to help you.. I am still learning and should not truly be giving advice just yet.

I would however be curious if a retest returned a better result, as I have had this be the case a few times.

from my science at school it is my belief that bacteria doubles every 8 hours so in 24 hours it should of been able to triple am not sure if it is the sam with aquarium bacteria though

 

[Mauigirl]

THe chances are it's just the filter taking a while to catch up with the extra ammonia produced by the plec - they do produce a helluva lot of waste.

A day at most? Bacteria to do the job in the am probably.

I have had surprising results, only to be discounted with a retest.
Sometimes random things will screw up a test .. so if in doubt redraw and retest.
If you were already cycled, I doubt the addition of one fish, however messy it could be would spike a tank..

It depends how big the plec is. I reckon a good sized plec could easily produce as much waste as 7 neons. The bioload could have doubled.

True enough, is it safe to say the bacteria CAN double in 24 hrs? if this holds true then if bio-load in this case is culprit. A bit of a water change and retest tomorrow?

Allot of the responders are much better suited to help you.. I am still learning and should not truly be giving advice just yet.

I would however be curious if a retest returned a better result, as I have had this be the case a few times.

from my science at school it is my belief that bacteria doubles every 8 hours so in 24 hours it should of been able to triple am not sure if it is the sam with aquarium bacteria though

Well my personal approach is:
I test excessively for now as my filter(s) are immature as well.
when I get a result less than perfect I retest right off to verify
If it were to be confirmed I take immediate action in the form of an appropriate water change or other needed modification.

A false has been the rule rather than the exception in my case. But lets never assume

The way I handle my tubes and syringes has matured as well. seems a bit of left over tap water could invalidate a test.. however I don't obsess over it, just make sure you shake, blow, or squirt any leftovers out b4 you draw or fill, at least this is how i deal with it.

 

[cambojnr]

THe chances are it's just the filter taking a while to catch up with the extra ammonia produced by the plec - they do produce a helluva lot of waste.

A day at most? Bacteria to do the job in the am probably.

I have had surprising results, only to be discounted with a retest.
Sometimes random things will screw up a test .. so if in doubt redraw and retest.
If you were already cycled, I doubt the addition of one fish, however messy it could be would spike a tank..

It depends how big the plec is. I reckon a good sized plec could easily produce as much waste as 7 neons. The bioload could have doubled.

True enough, is it safe to say the bacteria CAN double in 24 hrs? if this holds true then if bio-load in this case is culprit. A bit of a water change and retest tomorrow?

Allot of the responders are much better suited to help you.. I am still learning and should not truly be giving advice just yet.

I would however be curious if a retest returned a better result, as I have had this be the case a few times.

from my science at school it is my belief that bacteria doubles every 8 hours so in 24 hours it should of been able to triple am not sure if it is the sam with aquarium bacteria though

Well my personal approach is:
I test excessively for now as my filter(s) are immature as well.
when I get a result less than perfect I retest right off to verify
If it were to be confirmed I take immediate action in the form of an appropriate water change or other needed modification.

A false has been the rule rather than the exception in my case. But lets never assume

did a retest and still looks the same so shall do a water change and retest tomorrow.

 

[Mauigirl]

THe chances are it's just the filter taking a while to catch up with the extra ammonia produced by the plec - they do produce a helluva lot of waste.

A day at most? Bacteria to do the job in the am probably.

I have had surprising results, only to be discounted with a retest.
Sometimes random things will screw up a test .. so if in doubt redraw and retest.
If you were already cycled, I doubt the addition of one fish, however messy it could be would spike a tank..

It depends how big the plec is. I reckon a good sized plec could easily produce as much waste as 7 neons. The bioload could have doubled.

True enough, is it safe to say the bacteria CAN double in 24 hrs? if this holds true then if bio-load in this case is culprit. A bit of a water change and retest tomorrow?

Allot of the responders are much better suited to help you.. I am still learning and should not truly be giving advice just yet.

I would however be curious if a retest returned a better result, as I have had this be the case a few times.

from my science at school it is my belief that bacteria doubles every 8 hours so in 24 hours it should of been able to triple am not sure if it is the sam with aquarium bacteria though

Well my personal approach is:
I test excessively for now as my filter(s) are immature as well.
when I get a result less than perfect I retest right off to verify
If it were to be confirmed I take immediate action in the form of an appropriate water change or other needed modification.

A false has been the rule rather than the exception in my case. But lets never assume

did a retest and still looks the same so shall do a water change and retest tomorrow.

Sounds like a rational plan to me. I will be curious to see tomorrows result. please share

 

[cambojnr]

shall do