If PH is creeping up, is it an indication of high ammonia levels?

[RobVG]

I couldn't find test strips that include ammonia. The separate strips that test only ammonia are rather expensive.

 

[gwand]

Calcium carbonate in the substrate increases pH, eg. certain rocks, sea shells. Brisk aeration blowing off CO2 can increase pH.

 

[gwand]

The relationship between ammonia and pH is as follows: Ammonia exists in two forms in water: un-ionized ammonia (NH3+) and ionized ammonium (NH4+). The ratio between these two forms is determined by the water's pH level. At higher pH levels (more alkaline conditions), more ammonia exists in the toxic un-ionized form (NH3), which can easily injure fish. Conversely, at lower pH levels (more acidic conditions), ammonium (NH4+) predominates, which is less toxic to fish. So if you think you have detectable ammonia in your tank and the pH is increasing, that is a problem.

 

[TwoTankAmin]

Adding to what gwand wrote, most but not all, of the hobby ammonia tests read what is called Total Ammonia. This is the sum of NH3 and NH4. When using a total ammonia kit you can find out how much of the total is in each form by using an ammonia calculator. The following comes from the article here on "Rescuing a Fish In Cycle Gone Wild part II"

There is also currently a handy dandy ammonia calculator you can find here: http://www.hamzasreef.com/Contents/Calculators/FreeAmmonia.php

1. Choose NH (NH3 + NH4)*
2. Enter in the total ammonia reading from your test, choose ppm.
3. For a fresh water tank, enter 0 for the salinity.
4. Enter your tank’s current pH.
5. Enter your tank temperature and choose F or C, whichever applies.
6. Click Calculate.

The calculator will then tell how much of the total is in each of the two forms.

If you want the full details relating to the above, the article is here: https://www.fishforums.net/threads/rescuing-a-fish-in-cycle-gone-wild-part-il.433778/

 

[RobVG]

The relationship between ammonia and pH is as follows: Ammonia exists in two forms in water: un-ionized ammonia (NH3+) and ionized ammonium (NH4+). The ratio between these two forms is determined by the water's pH level. At higher pH levels (more alkaline conditions), more ammonia exists in the toxic un-ionized form (NH3), which can easily injure fish. Conversely, at lower pH levels (more acidic conditions), ammonium (NH4+) predominates, which is less toxic to fish. So if you think you have detectable ammonia in your tank and the pH is increasing, that is a problem.

This is a new 25 gallon tank with 2 goldfish. We've had it for about a month. It wasn't cycled but a bacterial conditioner was added. Their previous tank cycled in about 6 weeks. I thought that presence of nitrate and nitrite would show that the bacteria is growing. Am I wrong on that? This tank shows none.
The previous setup used an under-gravel filter. The one for this tank is a small sponge filter that is supposed to handle 100 gallons, and they want you to clean it every 3 weeks. It doesn't seem that the cleaning is going to make it a biofilter?

 

[gwand]

This is a new 25 gallon tank with 2 goldfish. We've had it for about a month. It wasn't cycled but a bacterial conditioner was added. Their previous tank cycled in about 6 weeks. I thought that presence of nitrate and nitrite would show that the bacteria is growing. Am I wrong on that? This tank shows none.
The previous setup used an under-gravel filter. The one for this tank is a small sponge filter that is supposed to handle 100 gallons, and they want you to clean it every 3 weeks. It doesn't seem that the cleaning is going to make it

me including Dr. Tim one and only.

You wash the sponge in used tank water and this will keep the biofilter going.

 

[gwand]

I have found that the bacteria supplements, including Dr. Tim’s one and only do not speed up the cycling process. Others on the forum may have different experience. I am cycling a tank now and added Dr. Tim‘s one and only as well as tetra first start and the tank is still not cycled at four weeks.

 

[Innesfan]

Cleaning a sponge filter simply involves squeezing it out in aquarium water. No harm is done to the bacterial colony. The best way to jump start the cycle of a new tank is to seed it with filter medium, gravel etc from an established tank. Since the last tank had an undergravel filter, that gravel is a great source for you.

How big are the goldfish and what type are they?

I'd suggest getting a liquid test kit that includes ammonia. Far more reliable than strips.

 

[RobVG]

You wash the sponge in used tank water and this will keep the biofilter going.

Great tip.
I've been a little leery of a small sponge growing enough bacteria to keep the tank healthy. With the undergravel filter I used to have, I was confident the large area would sustain a large colony of bacteria.

Cleaning a sponge filter simply involves squeezing it out in aquarium water. No harm is done to the bacterial colony. The best way to jump start the cycle of a new tank is to seed it with filter medium, gravel etc from an established tank. Since the last tank had an undergravel filter, that gravel is a great source for you.

How big are the goldfish and what type are they?

I'd suggest getting a liquid test kit that includes ammonia. Far more reliable than strips.

We have two fancy lionheads. One is 4 1/2" and the other is around 3" They both appear to have stopped growing. I used some of the gravel from the previous tank in the barrel filter that came with the new one. The filter sprang a few leaks and we got rid of it. I'd still like to know if it's a sign that the bacteria is establishing itself when nitrates and nitrites start to show up. So far, nothing.

 

[MaloK]

Do you have a test kit for ammonia ?

With 2 goldfish of this size in a 25 gallons it could take a while before it starts to rise... You can expect that when it's going to start, it has good chances of spiking hard.

What kind of filter is it exactly, because if it states to be able to handle 100 gallons... It's not supposed to be small, loll...

Another factor is your air pump, is it rated for at least the size of the aquarium or more ?

If your feeding habits are good, there's not much waste and you're doing regular water changes ? Ammonia wont build up that fast at first..

 

[RobVG]

Do you have a test kit for ammonia ?

With 2 goldfish of this size in a 25 gallons it could take a while before it starts to rise... You can expect that when it's going to start, it has good chances of spiking hard.

What kind of filter is it exactly, because if it states to be able to handle 100 gallons... It's not supposed to be small, loll...

Another factor is your air pump, is it rated for at least the size of the aquarium or more ?

If your feeding habits are good, there's not much waste and you're doing regular water changes ? Ammonia wont build up that fast at first..

I need to get an ammonia test kit but I've been putting it off because they're expensive.

It's a Nicrew Magic-Jet we found on Amazon.

I just cleaned the sponge and a ton of black stuff came out. I don't know if it picked up the carbon or the sponge itself is degrading.

Not sure which air-pump you're referring to but all we have is one for a bubbler wall. The Nicrew replaced the undergravel filter we had in the old tank.

Since seeing the rise in PH I've been doing weekly 50% changes. One thing I noted was the city water is slightly higher than it used to be, so it doesn't bring the PH down as much.

Question: We recently read goldfish do best at PHs from just over 7 to 8.4. Is this true?

 

[MaloK]

Yes Goldfishes generally prefer a slightly on the harder side water. And a PH of 7-8.5 is perfectly acceptable.

 

[RobVG]

Yes Goldfishes generally prefer a slightly on the harder side water. And a PH of 7-8.5 is perfectly acceptable.

Wow.
I noticed one seemed a little stressed until I did a water change. Guess I really need to buy an ammonia test kit.

 

[RobVG]

Wow.
I noticed one seemed a little stressed until I did a water change. Guess I really need to buy an ammonia test kit.

I don't know what I was looking at before but even some 8 in 1 (including ammonia) test strips are really affordable.

 

[RobVG]

I'm really happy with this setup. Black sand is new to me. I'll have to adjust the siphon cleaner because it sucks alot of the sand into the tube and I can't see what I'm cleaning.