Another Ammonia Problem

[sheree]

HI,

I am also suffering from a problem with my ammonia. My tank has been running for 2 years with no problems at all until now. 180l tank, with zebra loaches, 2 baby bristlenoses, 10 gold barbs, 6 guppies and a 12 neons. Everything else seems to be fine and the fish have previously been eating and showing now signs of stress. But ammonia shows 1-2ppm, nitrite 0.25ppm and nitrates 40ppm. i've done 20-30% daily water changes. To check the test kit, I've tested water in another tank and tap water - showing no ammonia. HOwever, i have also used some test strips for nitrates and nitrites in the problem tank and they show no problems at all. Unfortunately, I haven't got ammonia test strips. There has been no change in PH at all.

I've vacuumed all debris from the tank and stopped feeding. The only thing i can think which could be the problem is the filter, so that will be my next job.

 

[rdd1952]

It's hard to figure out what may be causing you to get a reading again. You have nitrate so your tank is obviously processing ammonia unless you have nitrate in your tap water. Are there any fish missing? Sometimes a dead fish that isn't found and removed can begin to decay and cause a spike. Also, as you mentioned, it could be related to the filter is the flow rate has dropped too low and this the water isn't getting processed enough.