help with ammonia

[jsodwi]

My ammonia levels have recently spiked very high for some reason. I have changed nothing and know am doing water changes everyday about 50%.Levels used to be 0-.25ppm know up around 2-4ppm. Fish are getting bigger but 300g is not overstocked by any means. I just built a new sump 55g with 20g bio media. I just got it running on Sunday with hope the new filter would help. Any suggesions on what could be going on. I have also slowed their feedings to every 4 days now

 

[ewurm]

Did you remove your old filter?

 

[brianp]

If it was me, so that I wasn't running around in circles performing water changes, I would spike my aquarium once with either Seachem Prime or Amquel+ to bind and detoxify the ammonia and then inoculate daily with Seachem Stability to oxidize the ammonia and nitrite. I would maintain this inoculation regimen for 7-8 days. Then stop adding the Stability and continue to test for ammonia and nitrite over the next few days to see if this has stabilzed the situation. You should probably also reevaluate the volume and integrity of your biofiltration medium, just to be sure that it's adequate. If you suspect that your biomedium is deficient (for whatever reason.....let's say its filled with sediment or other crud), replace it with fresh material before you start the inoculation process.

 

[stingraybob]

My ammonia levels have recently spiked very high for some reason. I have changed nothing and know am doing water changes everyday about 50%.Levels used to be 0-.25ppm know up around 2-4ppm. Fish are getting bigger but 300g is not overstocked by any means. I just built a new sump 55g with 20g bio media. I just got it running on Sunday with hope the new filter would help. Any suggesions on what could be going on. I have also slowed their feedings to every 4 days now

ok my question is how do you change half the water everyday and still have a cycled tank???? wouldnt the water changes everntually start the cycle process all over again?

 

[Ali1]

no, most of the bacteria is located in your filter/biowheel/bio chamber. There are few bacteria lying on the gravel bed, as well as the glass. water changes will reduce the ammonia.

 

[jsodwi]

gravel vac every time i do water changes too I'm wondering being that more than half of the bioballs are new, they need a chance to build up with bacteria then hopefully start doing its job I've never done more than 50% water change at one time I'm afraid it will affect the fish if I do bigger water change