Very Concerned About Ammonia Levels

[Chris #]

Hi, I'd appreciate some help....I keep a very close eye on my Ammonia levels - Test for everything once a week....pH has been stable at 7.5 Nitrites have been below 0.3 Mg/l (lowest on the chart)Ammonia was 0 first week 0.25 mg/l for the next two weeks and now it's creeping up to 1.0 mg/l Should I be worried?It's a 38 Gal/ 144l tank with 12 fish and 5 fry..............Thanks for your help!!I also perform a weekly 25% water change..........

 

[LukeFishwalker]

Hi, I'd appreciate some help....I keep a very close eye on my Ammonia levels - Test for everything once a week....pH has been stable at 7.5 Nitrites have been below 0.3 Mg/l (lowest on the chart)Ammonia was 0 first week 0.25 mg/l for the next two weeks and now it's creeping up to 1.0 mg/l Should I be worried?It's a 38 Gal/ 144l tank with 12 fish and 5 fry..............Thanks for your help!!I also perform a weekly 25% water change..........

Ammonia was zero the first week? As in, the first week you set up the tank or the first week you started having this problem?

 

[Chris #]

Hi, I'd appreciate some help....I keep a very close eye on my Ammonia levels - Test for everything once a week....pH has been stable at 7.5 Nitrites have been below 0.3 Mg/l (lowest on the chart)Ammonia was 0 first week 0.25 mg/l for the next two weeks and now it's creeping up to 1.0 mg/l Should I be worried?It's a 38 Gal/ 144l tank with 12 fish and 5 fry..............Thanks for your help!!I also perform a weekly 25% water change..........

Ammonia was zero the first week? As in, the first week you set up the tank or the first week you started having this problem?

The first week the tank was set up................

 

[Rooster]

I predict you did not do a fishless cycle ? If you have started from scratch with fish then its perfectly natural for the ammonia to rise, and rise AND RISE until the filter becomes mature, which could take upto a couple of months (quicker if seeded)
If this IS the case, then keep it down with water changes, and keep testing.

 

[LukeFishwalker]

Yeah - if you brought you tank home, set it up, and dropped in fish you are going have high ammonia levels until your filter matures.

You need to read this: http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=175355

Test every day and change your water as needed to keep the ammonia and nitrite levels below .25ppm - with 12 fish you are going to be doing a lot of water changes for the next month or two.

 

[Chris #]

Thanks for the replies!!

The tank was up for 10 days before any fish were added .......

 

[Chris #]

Hmmm Just read the link......


I wasn't told about any of this and I went to a specialist Aquarists........


They told me to add a few fish after a week ....... and hey ho my Red Tail shark is on his way out

What anooys me is these fish are pets for my three small children and I would have done a fishless cycle if I'd known.

 

[GRJ]

We have all been there, i am going through a cycle with fish in at the minute and you really do have to try and keep the ammonia and nitrIte down below 0.25 and that requires lots of water changes. If you can get someone with a mature tank to give you some spare filter media, this process will speed up. I have been doing mine for 2 months now and it still hasnt cycled but i got some donated media and things have picked up a little now. I dont profess to be an expert as i am new to this but feel free to personal message me and i will give you more advice, the same as i was given. Its tough for a while but you will get into the swing of things! Good Luck. GRJ

 

[CruX]

Hmmm Just read the link......


I wasn't told about any of this and I went to a specialist Aquarists........


They told me to add a few fish after a week ....... and hey ho my Red Tail shark is on his way out

What anooys me is these fish are pets for my three small children and I would have done a fishless cycle if I'd known.

Its not in a fish shops interest to suggest a fishless cycle, as when your fish die you will likely return to buy more, if you do get wind of cycling and question the shop they will sell you chemicals to 'put it right' which might not work. next thing you know you have spent a small fortune.

Is ther anyone you know who can 'board' your fish for you?

 

[Chris #]

Thanks GRJ - good to know I'm not alone.....This is what I've done so far ..........Water Changes 25% twice a week....looks like I need to up theseRemoved any dead plant matter and fish (Haven't lost any fish for two weeks) Added Activated Carbon to the filter.....Cleaned the filter once - I realise now this was probably bad advice.........Anyting else I should consider?

Is ther anyone you know who can 'board' your fish for you?

Sadly no - The two people I know who do know anything about fish don't have tanks at the moment. I've stopped asking the aquarist for advice as he has been way off the mark........

 

[CruX]

Thanks GRJ - good to know I'm not alone.....


This is what I've done so far ..........

Water Changes 25% twice a week....looks like I need to up these

Removed any dead plant matter and fish (Haven't lost any fish for two weeks)

Added Activated Carbon to the filter.....


Cleaned the filter once - I realise now this was probably bad advice.........

Anyting else I should consider?

You really need to keep your ammonia and nitrite levels below 0.25 mg/l. Test twice a day and measure your water changes accordingly. Sometimes you might have to do large water changes twice a day, it might take a while but things will get better. As said before if you can obtain mature media then that might kick start it.

 

[GRJ]

Thanks GRJ - good to know I'm not alone.....


This is what I've done so far ..........

Water Changes 25% twice a week....looks like I need to up these

Removed any dead plant matter and fish (Haven't lost any fish for two weeks)

Added Activated Carbon to the filter.....


Cleaned the filter once - I realise now this was probably bad advice.........


Anyting else I should consider?

I would remove the carbon as its only necessary when trying to remove medication, that is what i was told and after a while, any ammonia in the carbon can be leeched back out into the tank(Bad, very bad!!!). Water changes need to done to corraspond to what your water parameters are, for example, if your ammonia or nitrite are 1, you need to do a 75% - 80% water change to get it down to 0.25. If the readings were 0.50, you would need to do a 55% water change to bring it down. Its a long winded process and at times you will pull your hair out as you may be doing 2-3 water changes a day, occasionally more, but i have been assured that its worth it. Dont buy anymore fish untill your tank has cycled, i have also cut my feeding down to every other day which has helped, the fish are fine and can easily manage without food every day. Hope tht has helped, if you get any more problems or concerns, dont hesitate to post on here or even personal message me like i said earlier. Good luck.GRJ

 

[Chris #]

OK.. it starts....

Luckily I bought a BIG bucket at the weekend (you have to look on the bright side!!)


Just two questions at this stage and forgive me if I'm being thick.....


- I've been told not to feed for a week - this seems a little exessive - is this right. GRJ you mentioned every other day?

- Mature Filter media - this sounds like a plan. Should I go to my local aquarist for this?

 

[CruX]

OK.. it starts....

Luckily I bought a BIG bucket at the weekend (you have to look on the bright side!!)


Just two questions at this stage and forgive me if I'm being thick.....


- I've been told not to feed for a week - this seems a little exessive - is this right. GRJ you mentioned every other day?

- Mature Filter media - this sounds like a plan. Should I go to my local aquarist for this?

Just feed a little every other day.
There is a mature media thead, have a look and see if anyone is near enough. Failing that ask the LFS.

And the most important thing is remember that you will get through it and fishkeeping WILL be a pleasurable experience. Keep us informed and keep up the good work.

 

[Chris #]

Thanks Crux will do.....