Oscar Tank Ammonia!

[strangeworld2002]

Hi Guys,

I currently have 1 6" oscar in a 300 litre tank running two external filters Eheim pro II 2026 and a fluval 305. At the moment the oscar isnt really eating too much so I did a water test today using the api liquid kit. The ammonia went right off the chart straight away!! the tank has been running for about 6 months and housed a bunch of different cichlids before and there was no trace of ammonia in the tank. I'm not sure whats happened. I have cleaned the tank water of all waste and the water is crystal clear. I'm not sure where this ammonia is coming from. I have done numerous water changes and cannot seem to get the levels down. I always use Prime as my water conditioner whenever doing water changes.

What can I do? I know the normal advise is water changes but these are doing absolutely squat. Changed 50% the other day then tested the water after and it was still off the chart.

I'm scared I'm gonna loose this fish! I have experienced this before with another tank that was cycled and then for no reason got a massive spike that never came down killing all my fish in the process.

 

[indigoj]

Do you have a spare filter (mature) at all? While prime can give a false ammonia reading it shouldn't be that high! Have you checked the test kit is still in date?

Have you tested your tap water?

 

[strangeworld2002]

I don't have a spare filter with mature media tap water is ammonia 0, I use prime in my community tank and it gives the correct reading when I use the api kit. The kit is also in date.

 

[salts155]

i had the same problem the other day. i was told to put test tube in boiling water water for 5mins and then retest and leave 30mins befor taking a reading this sorted my problem.

hope everything goes ok