Hello FHM and Wilder. Just thought I would give you a quick update. As of yesterday I added some tap water and kept the ammonia removal pellets in the tank as well as adjusting the inlet water hose to give a bit more air. I lost one more fish this morning but this evening the tank seems a lot more settled. What I have left are swimming nicely around the tank, in and out and around the plants and shoaling well. I have not tested the water today but will do so tomorrow and will report back. Once again thank you both so much for your input yesterday.
Disaster - Please Help Me Make Sense
- Thread starter WRG
- Start date
fatheadminnow
Fish Aficionado
You are very welcome for the help!
The last things I would do is remove the "ammonia removal pellets." Some products will convert ammonia to ammonium, which is fine because our bacteria can still use ammonium as a food source; however; ammonium will still show up out test kits as ammonia.
Anyways, unless you are for sure it converts ammonia to ammonium, I would remove the pellets as they could be 'adsorbing' the ammonia which would eliminate the ammonia for the bacteria to use.
What will happen is, if you keep them in for too long and then remove them, the bacteria colony will already be too wiped out to safely support your population of fish, and you will be in a fish-in cycle for a while, which is something I guarantee you, you don't want.
The BEST thing to do to get rid of ammonia, other than the bacteria eating it, is a water change.
Also, make sure you are using a good water conditioner to add to your tap water.
Let us know how you get on!
Once again, you are welcome!
-FHM
The last things I would do is remove the "ammonia removal pellets." Some products will convert ammonia to ammonium, which is fine because our bacteria can still use ammonium as a food source; however; ammonium will still show up out test kits as ammonia.
Anyways, unless you are for sure it converts ammonia to ammonium, I would remove the pellets as they could be 'adsorbing' the ammonia which would eliminate the ammonia for the bacteria to use.
What will happen is, if you keep them in for too long and then remove them, the bacteria colony will already be too wiped out to safely support your population of fish, and you will be in a fish-in cycle for a while, which is something I guarantee you, you don't want.
The BEST thing to do to get rid of ammonia, other than the bacteria eating it, is a water change.
Also, make sure you are using a good water conditioner to add to your tap water.
Let us know how you get on!
Once again, you are welcome!
-FHM
Evening. I have tested the water tonight and can report the following. PH is 7.20, High PH is 7.4, Ammonia is between .25 & .50, Nitrite is 0 and Nitrate is 40. How does this look to you? I also tested my tap water for PH levels and PH was 7.6 and HighPH was 7.4. To be honest I am unsure as to what the PH levels should be and why two PH tests. Previous tests on the tank water have more or less on a consistent basis returned a PH of 7.6, High PH of 8.4, Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0 and Nitrate 40. Any input you feel is required I am only more than happy to receive and once again very greatly appreciative of your time, input an knowledge.
fatheadminnow
Fish Aficionado
Only use the high range pH if your pH is above 8. Other than that use the lower pH.
Your ammonia is higher than safe for fish and an immediate water change should be done. At least a 50%, I would do a 75% though.
You DO NOT want ammonia higher than .25 ppm, as this will cause permanent gill damage to the fish, shorten the fishes life and will kill the fish if the fish remains in an environment where the ammonia stays above .25 ppm.
So, do a large water change as then get back to us.
-FHM
Your ammonia is higher than safe for fish and an immediate water change should be done. At least a 50%, I would do a 75% though.
You DO NOT want ammonia higher than .25 ppm, as this will cause permanent gill damage to the fish, shorten the fishes life and will kill the fish if the fish remains in an environment where the ammonia stays above .25 ppm.
So, do a large water change as then get back to us.
-FHM
Just want to say - ammonia pack is fine in the tank as long as you put the normal sponges closer to the inlet on the filter so the water hits them first. The ammonia pack will just detoxify whatever doesn't get sorted by the bacteria. As long as the bacteria get the first shot at the water, they won't die and the ammonia pack is just on clean up duty.
Good luck with getting everything sorted.
Good luck with getting everything sorted.
fatheadminnow
Fish Aficionado
It still is not a good thing to do, really it is not. Then the ammonia leaving the filter is gone, but before it was not. You see, it is going to have a negative effect on the bacteria colony.
-FHM
-FHM
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