Hey everyone, i'm new to MFK and i have a problem. I have an established tank of a year and half and i have outrageous ammonia levels. My level varies between 4 and then off the chart, my PH is low at around 5. I have tried just about everything to try and fix the issue. There are currently only 2 fish in my 90 gallon tank. I'm running a refugium sump and a cascade 1500 filter. Does anyone have any ideas to help me out ?
Ammonia is out of control....PLEASE HELP
- Thread starter Jolivieri
- Start date
Ok. havent been on in a while, but i'll take a stab at it.
If your ammonia levels are off the charts, then your tank is not established. Has this JUST started or have you always had problems with spiking ammonia?
How do you do your water changes?
Do you clean your filters, and how?
What are the types of 2 fish you have?
What are your other levels at? Nitrite, Nitrate?
If your ammonia levels are off the charts, then your tank is not established. Has this JUST started or have you always had problems with spiking ammonia?
How do you do your water changes?
Do you clean your filters, and how?
What are the types of 2 fish you have?
What are your other levels at? Nitrite, Nitrate?
Obviously you have a lack of Nitrifying bacteria. Just a few things to look at, did somthing happen recently that could have harmed whatever you are useing as your bio filter? Clogging, drying out, over cleaning or any number of things could harm your bio filter. How often and how much do you feed? Did you check to see if somthing died and is giving off excessive ammts of NH3/4?
In the mean time water change water change water change water change, its the easiest and most effective way to immediately lower NH3/4 levels.
In the mean time water change water change water change water change, its the easiest and most effective way to immediately lower NH3/4 levels.
I have a Jack Dempsey and a Butterkoferi. When i do my water changes, i use RO/DI water. There are no dead fish in the tank. I have tried putting in live bacteria and it helps for a few days, but then spikes back up. The lowest that i have recently gotten it was down to a 2. I'm only feeding them once a day and there is a minimum of left over food. Do you think that it might be wise to switch back to my Aquaclear 110's ?
Start treating your water for atleast 3 days prior to doing water changes making sure toxic metal and chlorine are remove with seaprime or ambqeul. Makes sure you have oxygen in your clean water too. Only do partial water changes of 25%. Syphon your gravel bed, Dont feed your fish for 24hrs. Let me know if this helps. good luck with fish keeping.
are you saying that you just took OUT your aquaclear 110's and put on a sump and Cascade 1500? What did you do with any/all of the filter media from the aquaclears? If you didnt switch over any of the filter media, your tank is RE-cycling. You took out the old filters and replaced with new/larger filters. Your tank's bacteria is trying to catch back up.