What Helps To Keep Ammonia Down?

[Kairi]

I know frequent water changes are the key- but is there anything else that helps keep ammonia levels down? I'm not so worried about it in my betta tank- it's only him in there, but my ten gallon seems to always have over zero levels of ammonia. Do live plants help? Once the tank finishes cycling, will that help too?

 

[freddyk]

Of course, once the tank is finished cycling the tank must have no ammonia, otherwise it isn't finished cycling or there is something wrong with the tank.

There are additives that bind ammonia into a harmless state and filter media that will do the same, but these things will interfere with your cycle, so really water changes are the only useful way of controlling ammonia until the tank gets cycled.

If you find that the tank never really does cycle and there is always ammonia then it would mean you either have way too many fish or way to little filtration.

 

[fishing4exotics]

Live plants will consume ammonia. You have to remember that the dead parts of the plant will contribute to the ammonia level.

 

[Kairi]

Dead parts of plants will? hm- didn't know that. I've taken my free floating plant out while I'm treating the tank for Ich.... I'll drop it back in when I'm done, see if that helps.

As for too many fish, right now I have 7 in the 10 gallon tank.... one I know will need to be moved if he grows *too* much more- but for now, everyone seems happy.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi kairi

With the seven fish you have, you have a very heavy bio-load in your tank. It will take quite some time to grow enough beneficial bacteria to consume all the ammonia they produce. The pleco alone is adding a lot.

Do you know anyone who keeps fish and would help you out by giving you some mature filter media?

 

[Kairi]

no I'm really the only person I know with pets- let alone fish. I've seen something at the store though that helps grow (or something?) the beneficial bacteria... do you think that might help any?

Unless the need *really* arises, the pleco's going to have to stay in this tank til May.... Unless I find a super easy way to move fish and 3 tanks.