Had the ammonia in my ray tank spike to 2 ppm today.The rays didn't seem to be bothered but I added Ammonia Detox, turned up the air pressure on my pump and am doing a 25% water change as we speak. What are tolerable levels? Filtering with activated carbon and indian almond leaves. pH around 6
Ammonia Spike
- Thread starter jdbrock
- Start date
Oh and theres a established sponge filter in the tank
I also took the chance to add about a dozen Moss Balls to the tank which both the rays have now tried to eat. Niether seems to be acting any differently than they normally do but I'm rechecking the ammonia now...
I also took the chance to add about a dozen Moss Balls to the tank which both the rays have now tried to eat. Niether seems to be acting any differently than they normally do but I'm rechecking the ammonia now...
If Ammonia went to 2ppm, 25% isn't enough of a water change. I'd be looking to do 75% if I had that issue. You want as close to zero as possible, as quickly as possible.
Tolerability will be influenced significantly by pH, which you should always measure immediately when you have measurable ammonia - pH below 7 the rays will be OK with the ammonia, although you should still be working to eliminate it. pH below 6 and you'll need to start buffering the water and worrying that the filter will go dormant.
Tolerability will be influenced significantly by pH, which you should always measure immediately when you have measurable ammonia - pH below 7 the rays will be OK with the ammonia, although you should still be working to eliminate it. pH below 6 and you'll need to start buffering the water and worrying that the filter will go dormant.
^ yup low Ph can have a negative effect on your BB
You should never really be able to find ammonia in any tank unless you are cycling it
Is the low ph caused by the leaves? what PH is your tap water?
You should never really be able to find ammonia in any tank unless you are cycling it
Is the low ph caused by the leaves? what PH is your tap water?
johno27;4701689; said:
The lower pH is caused by the leaves.
Did a larger water change this morning Ammonia 0.25 ppm
Out of the tap water is an 8.9 I use straight RO water which is also the reason the pH is lower.
Straight RO? No additives? Really bad idea, doubly bad in a ray tank as the pH can drop like a stone.
The RO water needs to be re-mineralised every time you use it, you need to make it up to an acceptable level (buffered to around 7 ish) but I would buy a new test kit and check the water again as that sounds very high.
The PH is probably dropping well below 6 and stopping any filter bacteria.
MORE importantly...what is filtering the tank, you mentioned a mature sponge filter??? I hope you have a sump or an external filter or you are NEVER going to be able to keep the water up to quality...even with 50% water changes twice weekly.
The only ammonia level acceptable is ZERO....any else should be minor, temporary and investigated as to WHY it happened...the tank should be mature and built up for the bio load.
Please also let us know size of Ray, size of tank and specifics about the filter.
You only need to get the PH down to about 7.8 to 8 to make it rays safe...the more you mess the water around the worse it will be.
The PH is probably dropping well below 6 and stopping any filter bacteria.
MORE importantly...what is filtering the tank, you mentioned a mature sponge filter??? I hope you have a sump or an external filter or you are NEVER going to be able to keep the water up to quality...even with 50% water changes twice weekly.
The only ammonia level acceptable is ZERO....any else should be minor, temporary and investigated as to WHY it happened...the tank should be mature and built up for the bio load.
Please also let us know size of Ray, size of tank and specifics about the filter.
You only need to get the PH down to about 7.8 to 8 to make it rays safe...the more you mess the water around the worse it will be.
I remineralize with Seachem Equilibrium and Discus Buffer.
There is a magnum 350 on it and an emperor 300 HOB. 2 Rays, both around 5" 125 gallon tank.
Ammonia is back to 0.
I change 50% water ever other day via automatic water changing system.
Tanks been up for 6 months.
There is a magnum 350 on it and an emperor 300 HOB. 2 Rays, both around 5" 125 gallon tank.
Ammonia is back to 0.
I change 50% water ever other day via automatic water changing system.
Tanks been up for 6 months.
I think that the 50% water changes are not allowing the filters to mature with sufficient bacteria to handle the bio load in between. I do not know what a magnum is but the hob is probably next to useless with rays, they simply do not have much surface area.
I think the ph may be going too low or fluctuating to sustain the filter bacteria.
50% once per week should be enough or better still 2 of 25% and add some bigger bio filtration like a dirty great external filter filled with bio.
I would move away from the ro..even if re-mineralized...maybe just use less of it, there is no need with rays, just keep it simple and stable.
I suspect the water supply is leaching in something that is upping the ph, almost like a pond made of concerete that has not been sealed to stop the lime raising the ph.
I think the ph may be going too low or fluctuating to sustain the filter bacteria.
50% once per week should be enough or better still 2 of 25% and add some bigger bio filtration like a dirty great external filter filled with bio.
I would move away from the ro..even if re-mineralized...maybe just use less of it, there is no need with rays, just keep it simple and stable.
I suspect the water supply is leaching in something that is upping the ph, almost like a pond made of concerete that has not been sealed to stop the lime raising the ph.