Clown Loaches Added....ammonia Levels Shot Up

[Delabrum]

I added 3 Clowns to my 100 litre tank a few days ago, before I added them my ammonia levels were at 0 and have been at 0 for some time since I got some problems with my tank sorted. I just did my weekly water change and went through all my test kits, everything is healthy but the ammonia level is high, about 1.5 mg/l. I'm just quite concerned as I've just done a 35-40% water change and the ammonia shouldn't be that high after doing a relatively hefty water change. Do ammonia levels not read right sometimes after adding stress coat as I did the test after adding 10mg of stress coat....I'm clutching at straws really and am quite worried as I've had everything in my tank almost perfect now for 2 months and haven't lost an fish.

 

[bagu]

hmmmm

that isn't good. Clown Loaches have no scales, so the ammonia will literally burn them, and could cause whitespot =(
i would say do water changes, and keep an eye on levels, try not too worry much.

And sorry if you have heard this before but your tank is far too small for 3 clown loaches; but its up to you in the end

just hold it out for a while and see how things go!

Good luck!

 

[Delabrum]

hmmmm

that isn't good. Clown Loaches have no scales, so the ammonia will literally burn them, and could cause whitespot =(
i would say do water changes, and keep an eye on levels, try not too worry much.

And sorry if you have heard this before but your tank is far too small for 3 clown loaches; but its up to you in the end

just hold it out for a while and see how things go!

Good luck!

Yes I know my tank's too small but I have heard so many conflicting things about them i.e. don't buy any less than 3 but my lfs said it should be fine just to buy one! I figured I'd get a few and see how it goes. I just tested the ammonia, it's now come down to 0.5.......weird???

 

[Mr Spoon]

Do you clean the gravel weekly with a "gravel syphon cleaner". 3 clowns is alot for that tank size. But less than 3 they won't be happy. You will probably need to do 2 water changes a week to keep ammonia levels down.

 

[bagu]

also!

just keep ontop of water changes buddy you should be okay! good luck ;D

 

[tenohfive]

Are you using a liquid drop based testing kit or strips? And yes, loaches should be kept in 3 or more - but they can get to over a foot long, so the tank is far too small for them. I'd take them back to your LFS now and save yourself some hassle in the long run.

First rule of fishkeeping imo is don't trust what the people in your LFS say. Always do your own research. Theres a huge number of people who come on here everyday because they've been misinformed by their LFS.