Something Aint Adding Up!

[Rorie]

Ok, added 6 discus, got 2 filters that turn over 1200l/h each. I figured this would theoretically mean i could double the amount of fish i could add at a time. Obviously i would not be going for this tactic though.

I was getting ammonia readings of 0.25, so took up 50% water changes daily.

As some of you will have seen, i got my discus breeding last night and spawned! So my water must be ok!

But today i did my 50% water change, then a few hours later tested the water, and its still 0.25!!! ARG!!!

Advice, suggestions?! I have had them for a week now so would have thought the filter would have caught up!

 

[ian]

what ferts are you using? How old is your test fit?

 

[Rorie]

using EI for ferts. Its all in date test kits, and i'm shaking them like hell each time!

 

[mattshez]

pics of your discus please

 

[StandbySetting]

Are you using Ammonium nitrate as part of your EI dosing?

 

[Rorie]

pics of your discus please

There are photos of my discus in various places already haha Look
here
here

There are more, but i cant find them just now! Waiting for 2 to come out of hiding (hurry up already!!) so i can photograph them as i think they are the best looking!

Not using ammonia in EI, no

 

[tenohfive]

Have you tested your tap water? Apparently a few people have 0.25 showing on their tap water.

 

[Rorie]

Have you tested your tap water? Apparently a few people have 0.25 showing on their tap water.

Just checked it....its 0ppm

oooh, i lie!! If i had waited a few seconds extra after testing, i would have seen the colour change to a tinge of green!!

So, what does this mean, how does it affect how i should do things? Pumping 0.25ppm of ammonia into my tank each water change cant be good?!

 

[Proxo]

Have you tested your tap water? Apparently a few people have 0.25 showing on their tap water.

Just checked it....its 0ppm

oooh, i lie!! If i had waited a few seconds extra after testing, i would have seen the colour change to a tinge of green!!

So, what does this mean, how does it affect how i should do things? Pumping 0.25ppm of ammonia into my tank each water change cant be good?!

Was stuck at 0.25ppm myself a little while back, i cut back feeding to every other day and done some major water changes and it dropped to a more yellow then green colour..

Think my tap water reads 0ppm though so not sure if that info will help

 

[twodoctors]

It doesn't change much if you ask me. A matured tank should be able to cope with that. Only thing I would change is the % of water per change as you are adding ammonia each time. Ie avoid large water change.

Adrian

 

[tenohfive]

I've not been in the situation so can't speak from personal experience, but my understanding from on here is that it's fairly common and mature filters should cope with processing the ammonia without too much difficulty. You can always trim back on the feeding for a few months if it's a newly established tank and you're concerned - though I don't know enough about discus to know if that would have any impact on them.

Have you thought about the RO water route?

 

[OldMan47]

Simple statement of fact needed here. If you raised your filter flow to 10 times what it should be, it would not add any, I mean not any, biological capacity at all to your tank. Get that idea out of your head right now.
I am happy to hear that your discus have not yet been harmed by your high ammonia levels but daily water changes are probably going to be required for some time. If your tank is too heavily stocked, that is the only solution to nitrate build ups. Over time any half decent filter will adjust to the biological load in the tank but the build of nitrates will still happen rather quickly with an overstock. Nothing removes nitrates except water changes or robust plant growth.

 

[mattshez]

how much are you feeding your 6 discus?