Is This Normal?

[CJH0825]

I think my tank has stalled. Checking my levels and my ammonia is 0.25, nitrite is 0 and nitrAte is 20 - 40. How can there be ammonia and nitrAte but no nitrite? It's been like this for a few days. For the past few days I have noticed that 3 of my 6 Red Line Danios are sitting at the top of the tank, staying in one place, not swimming, Just sitting there. Kinda weird. All other fish are swimming around and acting normal. Any suggestions?
 
Ph is 7.6 on low range
7.4 on high range

 

[the_lock_man]

Are you using the API kit to test? How long has the tank been set up - are you trying to fish-in cycle? What were the readings on the previous test?

 

[Chad]

Two possible causes I can think of are:

• Bad test reading. This is the most common.
• You are dealing with different types of bacteria. You need more ammonia consuming bacteria but have plenty of nitrite consuming bacteria. This should balance itself out quickly.

If it's not the testing then I suggest more frequent water changes to get rid of the ammonia. Do this until things balance back out again. Spikes in ammonia can have several causes. Death of a fish or snail that goes unnoticed, too much food, over stocking, etc. and sometimes something can happen to the bacterial population. This can be using chlorinated water, cleaning the filters too well, even changing out a decoration can alter the bacterial population to an extent.

 

[CJH0825]

Are you using the API kit to test? How long has the tank been set up - are you trying to fish-in cycle? What were the readings on the previous test?

Yes I am using the API master test kit. I test every day. The tank has been up for almost 3 months now. It's a 55g tank. Before this started my readings were 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite and 20 - 40 nitrAte. 

Two possible causes I can think of are:

• Bad test reading. This is the most common.
• You are dealing with different types of bacteria. You need more ammonia consuming bacteria but have plenty of nitrite consuming bacteria. This should balance itself out quickly.

If it's not the testing then I suggest more frequent water changes to get rid of the ammonia. Do this until things balance back out again. Spikes in ammonia can have several causes. Death of a fish or snail that goes unnoticed, too much food, over stocking, etc. and sometimes something can happen to the bacterial population. This can be using chlorinated water, cleaning the filters too well, even changing out a decoration can alter the bacterial population to an extent.

I recently added a terra cotta pot, All fish are accounted for. Every 3 days I do a 50% water change and every Saturday I do 75% WC when I do the vacuuming. 

 

[the_lock_man]

Yeah, I'm with Chad, and I'd say it's probably a mis-read of the ammonia test - it is so difficult to tell the difference between 0ppm and 0.25ppm, especially under artificial light.

 

[CJH0825]

Yeah, I'm with Chad, and I'd say it's probably a mis-read of the ammonia test - it is so difficult to tell the difference between 0ppm and 0.25ppm, especially under artificial light.

So true!! There have been a few times that I have had to check the color 2 or 3 times because I wasn't exactly sure. As far as the Danios go, Any ideas on that?

 

[the_lock_man]

Sorry, totally blanked that out of my mind.
 
Otherwise active fish that are hanging still would indicate something wrong with the stats - perhaps it isn't an API-misread. Youi could try doing a 50% change, see whether it makes any difference.

 

[Chad]

Danios sound like they need more O2.

 

[CJH0825]

Danios sound like they need more O2.

I don't know what else I can do to add more O2 to the tank. My corner filters and 14 inch airstone push ALOT of air bubbles into the tank.

 

[Chad]

If the test is accurate the ammonia and nitrate could also be a reason for it.

 

[CJH0825]

If the test is accurate the ammonia and nitrate could also be a reason for it.

Just to be on the safe side, I tested again and got the same results. 

 

[Chad]

I am going to say, even if they are wrong, to trust the test results. Take them at face value and take action to remove the ammonia. The behavior of the fish hints that the test results are probably accurate.

 

[CJH0825]

I noticed that my Red Line Danios have what looks like cotton growing out of their gills.   ??

 

[Chad]

Sounds like a fungal infection. It can spread. I recommend treating with an anti-fungal  medication. Your LFS should have one available.

 

[CJH0825]

Sounds like a fungal infection. It can spread. I recommend treating with an anti-fungal  medication. Your LFS should have one available.

Okay, Thank you!! I'll get on it today. Do I remove the carbon from the filters while medicating?