Ammonia Spikes in my semi new system.

[Black Manta]

I would have a ton more media than what you have.
My sump for a trio of rays has 25l k1, 10g bio balls, 8kg of bio home, and 15-20 bacteria house media
What I would do is stop feeding for 3 or 4 days and keep doing water changes once or twice a day

Thank you!!!

 

[Black Manta]

I am no expert.. but from the little experience i have, i agree that you need a lot more media.

+/- 300L AND +/- 500L in itself is not much water to keep the rays and the fair number of cichlids you have which also makes it more difficult to keep parameters stable

Personally i would add a decent size sump which will increase water volume and more media
I usually add Seachem Stability to help seed/culture the new media quicker and they say it does protect your fish until your cycle normalizes

Thank you MariaS

 

[Black Manta]

No Rays in the 75 gal. Just in 125 gal and 150 Rubbermaid cattle trough.
I am also doing a diy trickle sump this weekend!!!! 3 stage. for the 125gal.

 

[Dieselhybrid]

I support the notion that you need more bio media.

To give you perspective. I filter my larger systems with 55 gallon drums plumbed to 6000 gallon per hour pumps. These rays keep growing, and eating, and pooping, and you get addicted and keep buying them..Then.....they start breeding and all hell breaks loose.

Think big, really really big. Overfilter, because even that is temporary. They'll continually produce more and more waste and catch up with your overage. You would rather start ahead with biological capacity, and have them grow into it. Rather than start with adequate filtration capactiy and have them grow to exceed it, which could have consequences.

Water changes can become labor intensive, study drip systems. They will decrease the frequency of your manual changes. Perhaps consider using really wide diameter tubing (I like 2" and 3") for your manual water changes to speed things up. Use a strainer or be careful to not give rays hickies from suction.

There are things you can do to get the desired environment and minimize your labor.

 

[Black Manta]

I support the notion that you need more bio media.

To give you perspective. I filter my larger systems with 55 gallon drums plumbed to 6000 gallon per hour pumps. These rays keep growing, and eating, and pooping, and you get addicted and keep buying them..Then.....they start breeding and all hell breaks loose.

Think big, really really big. Overfilter, because even that is temporary. They'll continually produce more and more waste and catch up with your overage. You would rather start ahead with biological capacity, and have them grow into it. Rather than start with adequate filtration capactiy and have them grow to exceed it, which could have consequences.

Water changes can become labor intensive, study drip systems. They will decrease the frequency of your manual changes. Perhaps consider using really wide diameter tubing (I like 2" and 3") for your manual water changes to speed things up. Use a strainer or be careful to not give rays hickies from suction.

There are things you can do to get the desired environment and minimize your labor.

LOL!!!! Agreed!!! OVERAGE IS BEST!!!

 

[Black Manta]

Thank you for all your thoughts and comments on the matter.

 

[MEDHBSI]

Simple answer your filter isn't big enough. If your filter was big enough you would have crazy high nitrates and zero ammonia.