Anyone ever use something called startsmart. The product claims to cycle an aquarium instantly. This is not the case for my aquarium. I am still having ammonia issues. My ammonia readings are out the roof at like 8ppm. I did a 30% water change before I added the stuff on Wednesday. My ammonia is still sky high. I do have a nitrite reading of .25 though. What else can I do to get this ammonia under control. I would also like to add I have a 55 gal with 12 fish. 4 angels, 3 gouramis, 2 corys, and 3 danios. They all seem to be healthy right now. My aquarium has been up and running a little over 3 weeks.
Ammonia!!
- Thread starter joshclovis
- Start date
if your ammonia was actualy at 8 PPM i can guarentee all your fish would be dead so chances are you either.
A: have a faulty test kit
or B: are using test strips which are never accurate
or C: your pH is below 6 and your ammonia is therefore nontoxic
and those instant cycle stuff never cycles your tank instantly maybe speeds up the cycle a little but you should still have done a proper cycling period (adding household ammonia until the cycle is complete) before stocking
only thing you can really do is water changes and lots of them keep doing them atleast once a day 50% or more preferably 75% or more maybe buy some of those dechlorinators that say on them neutralizes ammonia (such as prime or amquel)
good luck
A: have a faulty test kit
or B: are using test strips which are never accurate
or C: your pH is below 6 and your ammonia is therefore nontoxic
and those instant cycle stuff never cycles your tank instantly maybe speeds up the cycle a little but you should still have done a proper cycling period (adding household ammonia until the cycle is complete) before stocking
only thing you can really do is water changes and lots of them keep doing them atleast once a day 50% or more preferably 75% or more maybe buy some of those dechlorinators that say on them neutralizes ammonia (such as prime or amquel)
good luck
I am using the api test kit and I know I should have done things different. I feel foolish for not doing it the right way. I will keep doing some water changes and hopefully it will do down. Thanks for the help.
Here's the latest update. I tested my tap water and its 0ppm ammonia. My ph is 7.2. My ammonia levels still read 8ppm. All my fish are still doing fine. The angels are doing good too. What the hell is going on?
Stop feeding your fish and feed less amounts. Change your water and use Prime, it will lower the ammonia. You have to stay on top of it until the tank cycles.
I'll have to pick up some prime tomorrow. I just did a 50% wc. When would be a good time to test for the ammonia again? Morning?
In all honesty,if your readings are 8ppm,and your fish aren't dead,you have a bad test.It could not have gotten that high,with the fish you have,unless you were REALLY over feeding,and doing no water changes.
If there is a Petsmart or Petco near you,take some tank water in and have them check it. I think they do it for free.
If the ammonia really is that high,and it hasn't killed anything, name all of your fish Jesus,cuz it's a miracle.
If there is a Petsmart or Petco near you,take some tank water in and have them check it. I think they do it for free.
If the ammonia really is that high,and it hasn't killed anything, name all of your fish Jesus,cuz it's a miracle.