Cannot get Ammonia to ZERO!

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CrystaliZed

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jul 22, 2010
139
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VA Beach
I am wondering if something else will work...

I'm detecting about .25-.50 of Ammonia in my 55 gall, which I know isn't too terrible, but I've been able to get it at zero... today I did about a 1/3 water change and added both Prime to the new water & the daily dose of Stability to the tank as well. I also have an API Zeolite Ammonia Remover bag sitting in front of one of the waterflow chambers... which I just added a bit ago... I did the water change & added the Prime & Stability about 6-7 hours ago and hadn't seen a reduction in the Ammonia. I'm guessing my tank is probably overstocked for the time being until my 180 gets done as I currently have 5 larger fish in it. Any ideas as to what else I can do besides moving fish to the larger tank when I can?! :confused:
 
You really need to not keep adding ammonia removers, as it keeps the bio filter from establishing. How long have you had this tank setup?
 
The bio balls probably don't have much if you are adding ammonia removers to the tank. Quit using them and use some Prime, it converts ammonia over to ammonium which is safer for your fish. Keep using the Stability. Whats the size of your tank and the inhabitants?

EDIT saw your tank info and thats going to be a tough cycle with all the fish you have. Keep using Prime to convert the ammonia
 
i have been told not to use bioballs in anything but sums and ponds and such, dont know if thats the problem but from what everyone has told me ceramic rings are much better in filters or can filters
 
Alright... so pull the BB's then?
Should I keep that API Ammonia Remover pad in the flow of water?

(3) 10" Balas
(1) 6" Catfish
(1) 7" Cichlid

I'm aware that the tank is probably overstocked for the 55 gallon size... here in a few days, once my rock wall is set & dry they will all be moving to the 180 except the Cichlid who's staying in the 55 by herself...
 
i dont know if i would remove them now as they probably have some bb on them, maybe not as much as ceramic rings, but im sure there are some on there so i wouldnt make any drastic changes because that could cause an even bigger spike. i was also told not to use an ammonia reducer when cycling my 55 so idk what to tell you honestly. i guess just keep doing what your doing for a few days they should be fine as long as there is no drastic spike
 
Alright... will keep an eye on it and keep using the specified dosage of Prime & Stability as suggested... Not sure what else to do...

The filter housings that are used in the normal 55 gallon (the over the back ones) have these little rubber sponge catchers on these plastic casings that sit in front of the filters. I know the one filter does have a lot of this media built up on it, the other doesn't as I just had to buy a new one to match it 2 days ago...
 
If your bio balls have build up on them, then that's not good ! Bio balls are a pretty inefficient type bio media, and having them caked in sludge can mean they are next to useless.
Bio balls should be kept as clean as possible by pre filtering them properly.
I wouldn't remove all the bio balls yet. Replace about half the bio balls with new efficient media such as seachem matrix/pond matrix. if you can't get hold of matrix, any of the ceramic type medias will do. Make sure you properly pre filter the bio media so no no sludge builds up on the media rendering it clogged.

Treat the tank as a new cycle and start again. only use Prime with stability as they are compatible with each other, and the prime will allow the toxic nh3 to be converted into less toxic nh4 which the bb in your bio media will consume as a food source and kickstart the nitrogen cycle. if your using stability, Follow the instructions exactly.
 
^ Alright... using Prime & Stability exactly as of now...

What type of ceramic media do you suggest? I'm unaware of this method as up till we got this 180 recently I've just had the 55 gal. w/ the over-the-back filters.
 
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