Filtration question. Problems occurring

[Askaleymanfish]

Have you tested your tap water for ammonia?

Tap water isn’t 0 when I test it b4 adding to tank

 

[Askaleymanfish]

I quote, "I have not cleaned any of my filters in 3 months either so bacteria has had plenty of time to build up".

And what else do you think has had time to build up in all that time?

I don't think you have the numbers of BB you reckon you have, mainly because your flow pattern in your cannisters is hampered/restricted that much that nutrient rich, well oxygenated water isn't feeding your BB sufficiently enough for them to manage the bio load.

The only reason your ammonia isn't higher is probably because you are on the ball with your water changes.

I'd have a good think about the configuration of your media in your cannisters, and how often you clean them.

3 months of not cleaning it is not a big deal at all. I use sponges that get cleaned bro. To catch all the nasty stuff b4 it gets to my media. The oxygenated water circulation part tho is what I’m askin about tho. I think I may have it packed to tightly in there. I wanted others opinion

 

[Askaleymanfish]

I think faulty test or misreading it.

It’s not misread iv tested the water from tap and tank at the same time multiple times there is a clear diff between the 2 with the tap bein 0

 

[Askaleymanfish]

If your water provider uses chloramine, this could be a reason for the slight ammonia detect.
Chloramine is made by combining 4 or 5 parts free chloramine, with 1 part ammonia, which often leads to slight detect.
When I lived in Wisconsin this was common in my tanks, especially right after a water change.

But-are you regularly cleaning the lava rock in the filters? Rinsing in in tank water?
If not, enough mulm and gunk could be coating its surface to stifle the growth of aerobic beneficial bacteria that also live on its surface.
Usually media that is not cleaned enough will create a nitrate factory out of canisters, but if months go by without a rinse it is feasible that the benificials are being choked or starved out with layers of gunk.

That’s the thing tho 1 week went by after cleaning and I had ammonia. I add a second fx6 still have ammonia. 3 months went by I still have ammonia. Iv had ammonia the whole time so it isn’t the cleaning of it that’s a issue

 

[twentyleagues]

That’s the thing tho 1 week went by after cleaning and I had ammonia. I add a second fx6 still have ammonia. 3 months went by I still have ammonia. Iv had ammonia the whole time so it isn’t the cleaning of it that’s a issue

Like duanes asked do you know if you have chloramines in your water? Also do you use prime?

 

[duanes]

Just take a sample of tap water and do an ammonia test, or easier, call your water provider and ask if they use chlorine or chloramine.
It may even be stated on your water bill, or water suppliers web site.

If no chloramine, how did you clean the media?
To clean bio-media I take media in a mesh bag, and shake it around in some old tank water maybe a minute, and so far have never had a die off.
If you rinse with tap water, there is a possibility that the residual chlorine/chloramine is strong enough to kill beneficials.
And of course, don't let it dry out.

 

[twentyleagues]

Just take a sample of tap water and do an ammonia test, or easier, call your water provider and ask if they use chlorine or chloramine.
It may even be stated on your water bill, or water suppliers web site.

If no chloramine, how did you clean the media?
To clean bio-media I take media in a mesh bag, and shake it around in some old tank water maybe a minute, and so far have never had a die off.
If you rinse with tap water, there is a possibility that the residual chlorine/chloramine is strong enough to kill beneficials.
And of course, don't let it dry out.

They said above tap water tests at 0 and they haven't cleaned the media in over 3 months.

 

[esoxlucius]

He doesn't clean his bio media, which is crushed lava rock. If it's crushed quite fine and no flow can get through it I reckon his water flow might be bypassing his bio side, or a good % of it is at least. So in effect his mechanical side is doubling up as his mechanical AND his bio. But he tosses his filter floss and cleans out his mech side regularly so that would mean everytime he disturbs/discards his mech filters he is upsetting the BB balance. His BB in his mech side are continually being messed with.

And the constant low ammonia levels he's experiencing would be indicative of this. As i said, I think it's only because he's on the ball with his water changes that his ammonia doesn't run away with itself.

I believe he needs to declutter his bio side, possibly even replace the flow inhibiting crushed lava rock with something that the water can freely flow through.

Thoughts?

 

[TheWolfman]

I'm learning towards inadequate filtration/over stocked since this is a ongoing issue in a established tank.

 

[Askaleymanfish]

He doesn't clean his bio media, which is crushed lava rock. If it's crushed quite fine and no flow can get through it I reckon his water flow might be bypassing his bio side, or a good % of it is at least. So in effect his mechanical side is doubling up as his mechanical AND his bio. But he tosses his filter floss and cleans out his mech side regularly so that would mean everytime he disturbs/discards his mech filters he is upsetting the BB balance. His BB in his mech side are continually being messed with.

And the constant low ammonia levels he's experiencing would be indicative of this. As i said, I think it's only because he's on the ball with his water changes that his ammonia doesn't run away with itself.

I believe he needs to declutter his bio side, possibly even replace the flow inhibiting crushed lava rock with something that the water can freely flow through.

Thoughts?

This is exactly what I was wondering. I think it’s just to tightly packed was goin to purchase a diff kind of media if this was the problem