HELP AMMONIA!

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
not sure bro, im stumped at this point.
the api test has to rise the ph to 12 to get the ammonia reading from what ive read.
I dont know what to say at this point as my tank is very mature
 
180 gallon,
2 water changes a week at 30 - 50 percent
im using ceramic rings/ bio max
 
i add enough prime for the whole tank around 10 seconds before i fill the tank with my python
 
Water changes appear to be ok. You still have residual NH4 in the tank from the water conditioner doing what it is supposed too. Your bio filtration normally takes care of this pretty quickly.

From what you have told me so far, I believe there is something wrong with your bio media, either it has somehow lost the bb through filter cleaning, big water water changes, unknown chemical, filters left off foe extended peroid of time. To have a 0 reading for NH3 with the seachem test shows that your water condioner is working, but to have a positive reading above 4ppm for NH4 with the api and seachem test on an established tank long time after water change indicates, something wrong your bio filtration, and that it has been building up over time. You won't have any nitirite readings thanks to the prime and big water changes you do. The fact that you do 2 good water changes a week and use a good water conditioner is probably the reason your fish are healthy.

For me in this situation I would treat it as having a mini cycle. BB not happening I would change 1/2 the media and start fresh with that media using a combination of seachem stability to have a safer speedy cycle, and seachem prime during my water changes. I would reduce the large water changes to around 20% twice a week until until the bio media has been properly colonized and finished it's nitrogen cycle (mini cycle has finished. )

Would be interesting for some other enthusiasts to give an opinion on what is happening.
 
I already added fresh media yesterday :) but to 2 filters
used stability. So far still the same. lets see what happens
 
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