ammonia in my 180g

[honda237]

Benifical bacteria have 3 limiting factor

- Ammonia
- Dissolved Oxygen
- Surface area

So if there is ammonia, thats means one of the 2 are limiting factors

Ok, well i have good surface agitation and a sump so dissolved oxygen should be fine. All the water drains in to a micron sock, then flows through the ceramic rings, then to the mag which has the sponge attachment on it.

Whats the stocking density of the tank ?

What test kit type and brand are you using ?

The stock is
7- 6"-2" severums
1 8" geo
7 3" geo
2 2.5"oblongums
1 2" keyhole
6 3"-1"guinacaras
1 2.5" chocolate
6 congo tetras
5 random tetras

most of the fish are on the smaller side, and i shouldn't have an ammonia problem with this stocking, and i tested it last night before i fed and it was still .25ppm before my water change.
I am using API Liquid test

 

[honda237]

well, i reorganized my bio, and now the ammonia has decreased, so i believe there was some bi-pass somewhere.