Ammonia in water?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
N

NEistingray

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jul 21, 2011
46
0
0
UK
Hi fellas I got my ray last week and added him to my cycled tank however I don't think the bio load in the filter was ready for it and as such had 0.25 ammonia in the water a few days after adding him, this went away in the next couple of days no problem however after stepping up my feedings and checking today I again have 0.25 ammonia in the water, what's the chances of my ray surviving this? Is there anything else I can do apart from daily water changes?

Thanks fellas, really worried!
 
If the pH was below 7 you'd have less of a concern but.. 0.25 isn't terrible for a short amount of time but measure again in the morning and if it's risen much I'd do a decent water change. Personally I wouldn't let it get above 0.5 for any length of time and lower is going to be better, even if it results in a slower cycle and more water changing.

If you use dechlorinator and the dechlorinator also handles chloramine, you could dose the tank with some to bind the ammonia. Don't go nuts but it'll be a little extra insurance.

Since the tank is still cycling, you wanna also be testing for nitrIte.
 
Yes, and in case you haven't already I would tone down on the feedings for a bit too. Don't starve the ray by any means but just cut back a bit until things balance out

What type of filter are you running how much bio-media is in it and do you use activated carbon or ammo lock?

How many gallons is the tank?What is the turn over rate on the tank?How much and what are you feeding?
 
Hi guy's thanks for the advice the ammonia is back at 0 and nitrite has risen slightly so I assume this was just the tank going through a mini cycle when dealing with the rays huge appetite? Tank is 6x3x2 and is filtered by an fluval fx5 and a sun-sun 2000 so I don't believe I'm lacking on the filtration front? Yes I know i'll have to upgrade the tank probably by the end of the year!
 
Yes, you are right. You saw the bateria colony need to grow when you added the ray. It will all settle out on it's own. Bring up the feeding slowly.
 
Some of us on this forum get slated for making harsh comments and being elitist and I think this thread goes to show what a wealth of useful, friendly information is handed out.

Next time you have an ammonia test kit out please test the tap water just to rule that out as we have seen instances of trace ammonia in the water.
 
Just Toby said:
Some of us on this forum get slated for making harsh comments and being elitist and I think this thread goes to show what a wealth of useful, friendly information is handed out.

Next time you have an ammonia test kit out please test the tap water just to rule that out as we have seen instances of trace ammonia in the water.
Click to expand...

I agree mate I studied the forum for a while before I signed up and it's one of the best things I did, I can't thank you guy's enough for the help you issue out!

Toby thanks for the tip I have been constantly checking my tap water too however it is ammonia free, the ammonia keeps rising and falling somehow? Would doing 2 water changes a day be far too excessive or I am best off leaving it and letting the ammonia rise slightly so that the mini cycle goes quicker? Bit of a dilemma!
 
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