Ammonia High

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Water is clear, and does not smell weird either. All fish are acting normal.

They have not had any food for 2 days.

I had the water testing kit for like 3 yrs. Always stored at room temp.

Which BB act fast? if Cycle is no good.. my cycle is always in the refrigerater. I had use this product for the last 14 yrs.

I have not touched the bioballs and any part of the w/d filter. just changed the pad like a few days ago.

PH is at 6.8/ temp is 80... I tested Nitrite with the same testing kit, nitrite is normal.. nothing there..

Guys thank you all for the help and advices.
 
have you been using "Cycle" regularly? Perhaps its a bad bottle.

if so then your tank may be going through its first natural cycle. the bacteria in "Cycle" doesnt last, that why you need to keep adding it. Bio-Spira may provide a better solution.
 
I use cycle every week when i change water.

I also have UV Light on all the time.

Is Cycle a bad product?

Is adding ammonia reducer daily bad?
 
LiuHsi;512498; said:
I use cycle every week when i change water.

I also have UV Light on all the time.

Is Cycle a bad product?

Is adding ammonia reducer daily bad?
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Ok

Good

No, just handle and store it properly. Problem is you don't know how it was stored before you got it.

Yes, you shouldn't have to use ammonia reducer at all. It's really not good for the fish. Now your going to tell me you've been doing it for years right? :)

If you have been using ammo reducer what are the bacteria in your filter eating, or is this the problem? Could you have inadvertantly wiped out your bio-filter?

Dr Joe

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Crap, I have been using Amquel for years.. that is ammonia reducer ?!

I am really worry, my heater had goen bad last week, and took the temp up to 90.. and my sump was giving me problem, i had replaced both parts.. not this ammonia thngy

Should I try Ammo Lock? Stress Zymes? I had done 3 water changes within the past 8 days..
 
WOW...

That clears things in my head...

I am guessing the minimal bacteria that has actually grown may be lost.

The bigger issue is, you have nearly no real biological filtration. you are actually in the middle of "new tank syndrome" after several years.

unfortunately you are overstocked for your real bacteria.

Ammo-lock is also bad, as a regular use item...

The best thing right now is to find someone close with established filter media and get some into that sump fast.

Dr Joe, you got any other jump-start ideas?

Looks like we may have a situation here.
 
Hmm... I dont understand... I have this wet dry filter for years without cleaning it..

What should I do now? I do not have friends near by use the same type of filter.

I am going to feed on an every other day basis.

How long would this take to recover?
 
matthew112687;512203;512203 said:
I have the same problem.. And the same test kits.

fishmaven, what would be a more reliable test kit?
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Stores that offer dozens of test kits do no one service. The best stores offer a few good ones and don't even display the bad ones. ALWAYS ask what they use and why.

If you have a local LFS that you prefer ask them what they use. Have them show you how to use it then if you want...buy one.

I normally use Jungle's test strips. Buy the small size (25 strips) if that's what you plan to get. The larger ones (100 strips) get moisture inside eventually messing up the remainder of the strips.
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BTW, I'm getting confused here. It looks like we've combined several threads becuase they're similar. That makes it hard to give advice.

Kordon changed their formula for Amquel. If you used it sucessfully before it may not work for you now. The original is still available from _Aquarium Research?_, sorry I think that's the company.

If you have a test kit that's 3 yrs old I'd question it's value. Buy test supplies and food in small sizes so that the dregs at the bottom are still worth using.

If you have more than 1 tank AND one of them is HEALTHY you can seed the bad one from the good one. Why buy chemicals when you have something that works naturally ALREADY in your home?

Many ammonia control chemicals mess up ammonia testing. You want to test FREE AMMONIA not TOTAL AMMONIA. There's not enough space here to explain this. If you don't understand the distinction look it up or ask your LFS about it. If they don't know... find another store. You, (everyone reading this- me too), need a local gurus for instant reliable advice when we come up with something we can't handle. Support the stores that can and will help you rather than the losers that sell crap indiscriminately. A good store only carries the products that work and test possible products before adding them to their stock. Ask your store how they choose what to carry. If they're not evaluating before buying they should be. Print this out, show them and ask them why they don't.
 
Although you have never cleaned your W/D, you also have not fed the bacteria. By continuously using chemical ammonia reducers, the natural bacteria has not had a chance to grow.

Even if a friend has a different filter you can still use the media.

If they have a cartridge filter take a used one, put it in a baggie with tank water & then place it in your w/d (loose the baggie).. either in the pre-filter or in the bio-balls. the water will pass over it & the bacteria will seed into your media.. you could even rub the sledge onto your bio-balls.

go with the reduced feedings, even 3 days if they can hold off. be sure not to over feed. I cant estimate recovery time. My 55g (virgin) tank with a 6 inch oscar & a 3 inch JD took 6 weeks to cycle naturaly. we got through that & I hope I never need to do that again.
 
So guys what should i do now?

(1) Reduce Feeding

(2) When should I change water?

(3) What type of conditioner to use?

(4) Still adding BB? how often?

Thanks
 
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