Question

[WayneVT08]

Why isn't my ammonia going down, it's been about a week and it doesn't even seem like its moved.

 

[Lhutch]

takes time, do u have mature media

 

[backtotropical]

Sometimes it takes a bit longer. What temp is your tank? Turning up the temp a bit can help.
Also, what is your ammonia level? If you have too much, sometimes it can not work at all because the ammonia sterilises the tank and no bacteria can colonise the filter.

 

[WayneVT08]

Ah well that might be. Well I guess I'll do a water change tonight. Maybe 15 gallons? out of a 55 gallon tank?

 

[doresy]

What is your ammonia level?

 

[WayneVT08]

I think around 8.0 ppm.

 

[backtotropical]

I think thats maybe too high, although someone else might want to clarify?

Ideally, you want it to be around 5ppm - 6ppm.

Maybe change some water to bring it down a bit, and see how you get on with that.

 

[WayneVT08]

I'm gonna do a 15 gallon water change tonight.

 

[doresy]

Yup, 8 is a tad too high. Water change by half and check again. 5ppm is a good target to aim for.

Be patient though, if you think ammonia takes a long time to process wait untill your nitrIte spikes, that takes forever to drop so be prepared

 

[WayneVT08]

I just want to get fish in there. Damn. I guess I'll do a 15 then see what the ammonia is.

 

[WayneVT08]

Just changed around 20 gallons of the water in there then I tested the ammonia again and it looks like it is around 2.0 ppm or a light green color. I'm using the API system, master test kit just so you guys know.

 

[backtotropical]

Post the size of your tank, and the ammonia concentration of your solution and we can work out how much more you need to add.

 

[WayneVT08]

Tank holds 55 gallon. The dimensions are 48" long x 18" high x 13" deep

 

[backtotropical]

I make your measurements 184 litres = 48 US Gals = 40 UK Gals
or am i wrong?

What % ammonia is your solution?

 

[WayneVT08]

Its 48" long x 12 1/2" deep x 20" high

And the bottle of ammonia doesn't say the concentration of it. So I don't know.