reading to much ammonia in tank

[the_incredible_mr.limpet2]

i have had my 20 gallon for 3 months now. i use a fluval u2 internal filter. i am still getting high ammonia readings. i will be reducing the amount of food i give them. should also vacuum tank more. it seems to me that the filter is taking a long time to get established. i have an ammonia indicator in tank, an it reads that my ammonia is at a safe level. what is going on? please advise?

 

[Abaddon]

From what I know the ammonia indicators only show levels of toxic free ammonia (NH3), whereas most "regular" tests tend to show both ammonia and non-toxic ammonium (NH4+) together, without differentiating between them - so it's possible to get a higher reading than what the indicator shows. Whether you have more ammonia (toxic) or ammonium (non-toxic) will depend on the pH - the higher it is, the more toxic ammonia you have. At lower pH levels, there is less free ammonia and more ammonium.

 

[Essjay]

Did you cycle the tank before getting fish or did you do a fish-in cycle?
What fish are in the tank? If it's overstocked, that might be contributing.
How often do you do water changes, and how much? When there is any free ammonia in the water, a water change should be done.
If you have gravel on the bottom of the tank, do you clean the gravel during a water change by pushing the siphon tube right down into it?

Cutting down of food will help - fish need less food than you'd think. You can feed every other day.

 

[the_incredible_mr.limpet2]

From what I know the ammonia indicators only show levels of toxic free ammonia (NH3), whereas most "regular" tests tend to show both ammonia and non-toxic ammonium (NH4+) together, without differentiating between them - so it's possible to get a higher reading than what the indicator shows. Whether you have more ammonia (toxic) or ammonium (non-toxic) will depend on the pH - the higher it is, the more toxic ammonia you have. At lower pH levels, there is less free ammonia and more ammonium.

ty for your reply, i was concerned knowing toxic ammonia is fatal to fish. to be honest, fish are doing well. i look for any signs of not swimming well, lethargy, no appetite, lack of oxygen in tank which their is not. will cut down on feeding an clean gravel more often. i do a 30 percent water change every 2 weeks. no problems. fish in tank appear hardy.

 

[the_incredible_mr.limpet2]

Did you cycle the tank before getting fish or did you do a fish-in cycle?
What fish are in the tank? If it's overstocked, that might be contributing.
How often do you do water changes, and how much? When there is any free ammonia in the water, a water change should be done.
If you have gravel on the bottom of the tank, do you clean the gravel during a water change by pushing the siphon tube right down into it?

Cutting down of food will help - fish need less food than you'd think. You can feed every other day.

ty for your reply i have 9 tetras in my 20 gallon with good amount of oxygen with airstone. filter also provides good filtration as well as oxygen an aeration. i do 30 percent water changes every 2 weeks. fish appear quite hardy after 3 months. i do use the technique you mentioned when cleaning gravel. i test ph an ammonia every week. no problems yet.