Ammonia Spike.

[Shaddex]

Looking for some help with my 280ltr.
Ammonia at 4ppm. Nitrate 0, nitrite 0.

Last night I noticed my water was cloudy so tested and got a huge ammonia spike.
Cycled for about 9 months with no problems.
No new fish added.
Temp was at 22 but raised to 24. After 50 water change last night.
Nothing dead that I can see.

Any chance a change in temp has stalled my ammonia bugs ?

Help neded.....

 

[DrRob]

I suppose it's possible. Mine did something similar last week but that cost me fish sadly. In the end my best theory was a slug falling into the tank (found a slug trail, it wasn't a totally random guess). 90% water change and then a 50% change to deal with the nitrite spike that you'd expect to follow. Since then I've been keeping a very close eye on it.

One word of advice from my experience last week, make sure your test kits aren't running low. Mine would have lasted a good few more weeks of routine testing and were therefore on the Christmas list for top ups, but paranoid extra testing depeleted them quickly and I ended up hunting for extras.

 

[the_lock_man]

Whilst it's true that initial bacteria grow better at high temperatures, I can't see anyway in which a change in temperature has killed mature bacteria.

You've said a couple of things which really don't tally - "tank cycled for 9 months" and then "0 nitrates" - even if you've suffered some calamity in the filter, and it has stopped processing, you would still expect to see the nitrates that would have been there prior to the calamity.

If you have no nitrates or nitrites whatsoever, that means one of two things. Either (A) you have no bacteria at all in your filter or (B) your test kit is giving very false readings.

What type of test kit are you using?

Can you describe your maintenance routine (ie how much and how often)? What dechlorinator do you use?

 

[Shaddex]

API test kit.
Tank finished cycle 9 months ago.
3 1000lph filters
Not added any fish for 2 months
Nothing dead.
Planted tank
100ltr water change every 2 weeks.
Been using tapsafe. Same one I've always used with no problems.

Nitrates controlled by fluval product in filter. Which is cleaned and soaked in salt water every 2 weeks.

 

[the_lock_man]

Got any friends with tanks, that you could test a water sample with, just to eliminate iffy tests from the equation?

It's certainly a strange one, my best guess is that some contaminant or other has got into the filter, and scuppered the bacteria - which leaves you with a huge fish-in cycle going on.

THis 280l tank - is that in addition to those in your sig? You could possible rehome the fish in those tanks, and re--cycle the filter with bottled ammonia.

 

[Shaddex]

Not updated Sig. Only 2 now. And no room in other..

Bought a new API test and same results. Going to give tank a thorough clean tonight just incase something is dead.

 

[Shaddex]

Checked for dead fish and none there.
Removed dead plant life.
250 ltr water change and ammonia is now at about .25 to .5 ppm.
See what its like in the morning

 

[the_lock_man]

Checked for dead fish and none there.
Removed dead plant life.
250 ltr water change and ammonia is now at about .25 to .5 ppm.
See what its like in the morning

What's it like now? Those levels posted are still too high.

 

[HayzH]

API test kit.
Tank finished cycle 9 months ago.
3 1000lph filters
Not added any fish for 2 months
Nothing dead.
Planted tank
100ltr water change every 2 weeks.
Been using tapsafe. Same one I've always used with no problems.

Nitrates controlled by fluval product in filter. Which is cleaned and soaked in salt water every 2 weeks.

can you tell me why you have a product that takes away the Nitrates in your filter? I thought Nitrates were what we were aiming for??? And Why soaked in Salt water? what are you cleaning them with?

 

[Shaddex]

It's a media that removed nitrate from the water. It lasts 2 weeks and then you soak the media in salt water to re charge it.

Tested today and no change in ammonia. Still .25 ish.
Gonna do another water change tonight.

Gonna pull my filters and check there is nothing dead in them.

If this doesn't work ill have to sell fish stock and re cycle.

Not happy.

 

[the_lock_man]

I thought Nitrates were what we were aiming for???

Yes, we are, simply because it indicates that we have nitrite-processing bacteria. Ordinarily, we get rid of nitrates via water changes (and some gets eaten by the plants). If we let nitrate get too high, ~200ppm, that's also bad. The media that Shaddex is referring to would, I s'pose, reduce the need to change water so often.

It's a media that removed nitrate from the water. It lasts 2 weeks and then you soak the media in salt water to re charge it.

Tested today and no change in ammonia. Still .25 ish.
Gonna do another water change tonight.

 

[fidjet2]

Might help if you post a pic of the tube with the tested water in it so we can have a look at it. i have an API test kit and i always though that i had .25 or a little less ammonia. i posted it on here and they all said it looked 0 to them >.>

 

[Shaddex]

It's definatly greeny . Compared to tap water.

Well ill do 70% wc for a few days and see whY happens.
If no change I guess ill have a lot of fish for sale.

 

[Shaddex]

Quick thought...

Ive just checked and my PH is 6.5 or there abouts..

Tap water is 7.2.

Maybe my 4 pieces of Bogwood is lowering the PH which is stalling the BB ?

Any Comments ?

 

[Shaddex]

Full tank clean and 3 hours later.....

0 ammonia YEY !! (Wish it wasn't because I've changed all the water)

Took 1 tray of media from my daughters established tank and put into mine.

See what it looks like in the morning....

Fingures Crossed...