I just had my first ammonia spike in 15 years and I have some questions for anyone who has first hand experience with them.
On Monday I noticed that all of my fish were acting funny in my 55 gallon grow out. They were laying around, not eating, and looking lethargic. They also appeared to be showing some early signs of disease (white spots, minor fin damage etc.) I treated with Melafix the first night but realized the next day, sort of like the canary in the coal mine, that even though the spots looked better something was still wrong.
Assuming it was a water problem I thought Id do a water transfusion from my main tank. I emptied about 60-70% of the water from the 55 and refilled it straight from the healthy 220. I also ordered my first master test kit, which arrived yesterday, and moved both fish from the 55 into makeshift quarantine tanks over the side of the main tank.
I tested the water in the 55 yesterday, every level is on the money except for the ammonia which is at 0.25ppm. I know that's unacceptable, so I'm keeping the little guys in quarantine until it gets to zero.
Here's my problem, I want to move them back as quickly as possible and am unsure how long it will take for my cycle to reset. I was thinking about using the API quick start if necessary, seeing as the little guys couldn't be doing to well in the small confines. I havent changed anything recently with my filters in the 55, which have been running for years without problems. Any ideas on getting this tank back on track quickly would be appreciated. I know it involves re-establishing my bacteria,which from scratch could take a month, but hopefully somebody has a couple tricks to jump start it. Thanks.
On Monday I noticed that all of my fish were acting funny in my 55 gallon grow out. They were laying around, not eating, and looking lethargic. They also appeared to be showing some early signs of disease (white spots, minor fin damage etc.) I treated with Melafix the first night but realized the next day, sort of like the canary in the coal mine, that even though the spots looked better something was still wrong.
Assuming it was a water problem I thought Id do a water transfusion from my main tank. I emptied about 60-70% of the water from the 55 and refilled it straight from the healthy 220. I also ordered my first master test kit, which arrived yesterday, and moved both fish from the 55 into makeshift quarantine tanks over the side of the main tank.
I tested the water in the 55 yesterday, every level is on the money except for the ammonia which is at 0.25ppm. I know that's unacceptable, so I'm keeping the little guys in quarantine until it gets to zero.
Here's my problem, I want to move them back as quickly as possible and am unsure how long it will take for my cycle to reset. I was thinking about using the API quick start if necessary, seeing as the little guys couldn't be doing to well in the small confines. I havent changed anything recently with my filters in the 55, which have been running for years without problems. Any ideas on getting this tank back on track quickly would be appreciated. I know it involves re-establishing my bacteria,which from scratch could take a month, but hopefully somebody has a couple tricks to jump start it. Thanks.
