Ammonia levels rising?
- Thread starter Wizzah
- Start date
I do 70-90% WC two or three times weekly on my 450, 720 and 600 gallon tanks. Once weekly on the smaller 200gal and under tanks. I've used this routine for the last decade on tanks I've owned and I have a expensive stocks at my homes.
Geez, learn something new everyday
If your bioload is high the ammonia levels build up again before any significant loss off BB. The BB is concentrated in the media, not in the water. The concern is changing so much water you deplete their food source of ammonia. If ammonia doesn't build back up quick enough BB die off and have to recolonize AKA mini cycle. OP had stated they have a huge bioload so ammonia levels should rise again quickly to prevent this.
Fishy5 If what you say is true and you really have a 180 with 8 big cichlids and only do 35% once every month or two you're a poor fish keeper and shouldn't be giving anyone advise. You're exposing your fish to high nitrates and it's only a matter of time before they develop Hith or die prematurely. Next time test your nitrates the day before your water change after 59 days since the last one and I guarantee they're off the charts if you're honest about the reading you get.
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+1 at 59 days between changes and that stock...you could probably touch the nitrates in the water...
Wizzah, My advice right now because I've gone through the same thing is to rehome temporarily...ammonia over 4.0 ppm and I'd be filling my bathtub with water to keep my fish in...
It sounds like you are doing everything right...but something is killing off your BB...I dont know that it would happen like this but maybe removing such a large portion of your old stock before caused the levels to drop to a point were the BB started starving, dying and caused one hell of a cycle...it shouldnt have but that is about the only thing that stands out from your info.
I got mine under control using Stability and SafeStart...I think i mention this every post I do haha...but seriously 4x the dosage of both products and my ammonia dropped in a couple days...I mean from like 5.0 to .50...and they aren't going to hurt your fish, so be generous if you decide to use them.
Also...Ive never used it so my advice might not be credible here, but Prime contains an ammonia locking agent...and I have used those before by themselves and it never turned out good...not saying Prime isnt a good product but seems to me that could be part of it....try the Tetra version of a dechlorinator...I use that and never had a problem. Again, I love Seachem's products but anything with ammo lock scares me...try skipping Prime for a water change or two...see if that doesnt help.
Also, big water changes never hurt...especially with the size of the tank/stock you have. Keep doing 75-80% every day or two...adding Stability or SafeStart, skip using Prime, and see if the quality doesn't start changing up a bit...
definitely try them anyhow...I dont know if you have any big chain pet stores there but they usually carry both brands, at least over here anyhow. Its worth a shot.
ahhh fair enough...well definitely order them if you want to try, like I said they helped me big time.
good luck, big water changes are your saving grace right now I feel.
good luck, big water changes are your saving grace right now I feel.
