Ga Ammonia!

[Twinklecaz]

Hi, heeeeeeeeelp

I just did my water tests and I had a trace of Ammonia! . For anyone who doesn't know, I've had my fish (prob only about 50% stocking) in my cycled tank for 2 weeks and I've had no problems with my water, it's been spot on. Today I did my usual water change (ended up being about 50% due to syphoning of sand taking a while) and the only thing I can think is the filter might have only been "damp" for about 10 mins until I realised I'd forgotten to put it in my tank water. Would that have done it? Also after I'd finished my water change I didn't switch my filter back on for about 20-30 mins coz I was letting the sand settle down again.

The only other different things I've done this week is start adding Easy Carbo and and TPN+

I can't understand this, especially as my water is 50% new (I didn't forget my decholrinator.

What have I done? I'm gonna do another test when I get in tonight and just hope the Ammonia has gone or I guess I'm gonna be doing another 50% water change tomorrow.

Nitrites are fine btw.

 

[GrayScale]

Try testing your tap water or whatever water you're using for ammonia.

I don't think having the filter not on or not having it in the water during the process would affect it too much as long as the media was somewhat wet.

Take another reading in a little bit and see if it goes down any after turningt he filter back on.

 

[Twinklecaz]

Yeah cheers. The filter had been back up and running for a couple of hours before I did it. I have to confess I hadn't tested since Wednesday night coz the results have been so good so I can't be 100% it hadn't done this somewhere between now and then.

Interestingly though my API (which I did twice) showed 0.25 but my Salifert test showed virtually nothing if anything atall.

 

[LondonguyJ]

The only other different things I've done this week is start adding Easy Carbo and and TPN+

Can I ask what the "easy carbo" is for?

 

[BethK]

Filter being off won't effect the stats, for that 30mins.

How long did you leave between the water change and testing the water?

The only other different things I've done this week is start adding Easy Carbo and and TPN+

Can I ask what the "easy carbo" is for?

Plant feed

 

[Liverbird36]

When I changed my substrate a few weeks ago I put the filter in a bucket with heater but didn't have filter running and that was for about 45mins so I doubt that caused it. Also, when I did a 90% water change yester day, I left filter in tank without water for about 20mins and all is fine still. hope you manage to get things back on track hun.

 

[Twinklecaz]

Hiya, it's liquid carbon for the plants.

I guess it was about 3 hours from when I switched the filter back on and when I tested.


I also did a mini clean on Wednesday, syphoned about 10% of the water and rinsed my media out (in tank water obv). I also cleaned the propeller

 

[Liverbird36]

Hiya, it's liquid carbon for the plants.

I guess it was about 3 hours from when I switched the filter back on and when I tested.


I also did a mini clean on Wednesday, syphoned about 10% of the water and rinsed my media out (in tank water obv). I also cleaned the propeller

I wouldn't have thought that cleaning the filter would have caused it. I've done mine including the impellar and all was good after.

 

[BethK]

3hrs? That be the reason then, false reading.

Advised from water changes to testing be a min of 8hrs x

 

[Twinklecaz]

Yeah me too. It's so weird, I don't get why it would have happened. I did have a few dead leaves in my tank but I've "gardened" today and it's all good.

3hrs? That be the reason then, false reading.

Advised from water changes to testing be a min of 8hrs x

Oh that would be a relief. and would also explain why my Nitrates actually went DOWN last week not up.

But I don't get, shouldn't it read 0's at all times regardless of anything? Or do you mean the new water has thrown it out?

 

[Liverbird36]

Yeah me too. It's so weird, I don't get why it would have happened. I did have a few dead leaves in my tank but I've "gardened" today and it's all good.

Dead plants can cause it I think. What was the Ammonia level reading ???

 

[BethK]

Oh that would be a relief. and would also explain why my Nitrates actually went DOWN last week not up.

But I don't get, shouldn't it read 0's at all times regardless of anything? Or do you mean the new water has thrown it out?

Not sure on the science of it all but I think the new water needs to settle

 

[Twinklecaz]

Thanks Beth, hopefully that's it then.

Yeah Liverbird, but they've been like it all week and the readings were still 0 on Wednesday. But then I spose it could have got worse and just pushed it over the edge.

Guess I'll know later when I test again.....if I can see straight!

 

[Liverbird36]

I reckon it's more likely to be what Beth has said. Hopefuly when you test later all will be well.

 

[Twinklecaz]

No, it's still showing Ammonia on the API (but still virtually nothing on the salifert). I'll test again in the morning and do a water change if need be but seriously, what the F is going on on?

Don't know if it's relevant but my fish seem fine. Colours are a bit strange/grey but then I've thought that since I've had them.


Hellllllllllllllp!

[EDIT] It's now also showing about 0.25 of Nitrite. Seriously,........what?