How To Read Ammonia Levels With Copper In The Tank

[othello]

Hi There
I have a 150 litre tank, ph 7, and at the moment a copper reading of 0.3mg/l. The reason for the copper was to rid the tank of parasit that was affecting my platies. I read the copper will throw your ammonia readings out. This morning I did a test Nitrates read 10 mg/l, nitrite 1mg/l and ammonia 4. Shocked - I am panicing a bit as my bristlemose died yesterday and I didn't understand why so I did the water tests and got these results - which have floored me! I have done a 25% water change and will do another 25% change tomorrow.

Is there a way of getting an acurate reading with copper in the tank?

My tank inhabitants are: 12 neon tetra
6 congo tetra
4 dwarf ram cichilids
6 or 7 platies (they are multiplying!!)
1 kisisng gourami
thanks for your help

 

[The-Wolf]

where did you read this?

AFAIK the only effect copper has on ammonia is basically Cu kills the nitrifying bacteria and therefore you get a small
ammonia spike.

could you link us to the place you read about copper effecting ammonia?

 

[rdd1952]

Not knowledgeble on copper at all but based on what The Wolf has said and your readings, it looks as though the copper has wiped out your bacteria colony and your tank is no cycling again, thus the high reading of ammonia and a nitrite reading too. At least there is nitrite which means that there is still some bacteria present and processing ammonia.

 

[othello]

thnak you for response and explaining all that to me.
will water chnges help this? I have added ammo lock.
The water test results this morning are:
ammonia = 2
nitrite = .5
nitrate = 5
I know the anmonia is dangerously high would 50% water be a benefit?
sorry The Wolf I don't know where I read that - on a forum somewhere

 

[The-Wolf]

as you have added ammo lock you will still get a reading of ammonia.
this is because it locks the ammonia, so test still read it, but it is bonded making 'safe' and thus unavailable to nitrifying bacteria.
you're tank will not cycle because the bacteria can not access the ammonia to break it down into nitrite.

I suggest starting with a 50% water change today and 10% for the next 5 days.
also add activated carbon to your filter to absorb the copper.

 

[poopsydrew]

as you have added ammo lock you will still get a reading of ammonia.
this is because it locks the ammonia, so test still read it, but it is bonded making 'safe' and thus unavailable to nitrifying bacteria.
you're tank will not cycle because the bacteria can not access the ammonia to break it down into nitrite.

I suggest starting with a 50% water change today and 10% for the next 5 days.
also add activated carbon to your filter to absorb the copper.

Wolf,
Hey I just had a question for you as you seem very knowledable about this sort of thing. I was wondering as you mentioned the ammo-lock make it unavailable to the nitryfying bacteria, I know some products convert ammonia to ammonium, can the nitryfying bacteria still use ammonium? I dont use these products really ever but have before and always wondered that. Thank you.

Drew

 

[The-Wolf]

ok I think a quick explanation of ammonia/ammonium is in order.

Ammonia has two forms - ammonium(NH 4+), and unionised dissolved ammonia
gas (NH 3 ). This is why some test kits say ammonia/ammonium kits

The form depends on pH, with ammonium dominating when the
pH is below 8.75, and ammonia dominating above pH 9.75. The forms are
freely inter-converted during a change in pH. Total Ammonia is the sum of
ammonium and ammonia concentrations.

if you wish to read the white paper article then click here. (pdf)

 

[poopsydrew]

ok I think a quick explanation of ammonia/ammonium is in order.

Ammonia has two forms - ammonium(NH 4+), and unionised dissolved ammonia
gas (NH 3 ). This is why some test kits say ammonia/ammonium kits

The form depends on pH, with ammonium dominating when the
pH is below 8.75, and ammonia dominating above pH 9.75. The forms are
freely inter-converted during a change in pH. Total Ammonia is the sum of
ammonium and ammonia concentrations.

if you wish to read the white paper article then click here. (pdf)

Well thanks wolf! Guess I was a little off Good to know

Drew