How do you take care of ammonia spikes?
- Thread starter redtailfool
- Start date
It can not be emphasized enough. Nothing beats a good old water change. Do about a 50% change, then if there's still a problem, do a smaller 20% every other day or so.
Do you know what caused your Ammonia spike? Is this a new tank? This info may help us determine the cause.
Chris C.
Do you know what caused your Ammonia spike? Is this a new tank? This info may help us determine the cause.
Chris C.
Oh sorry, I tend to just start reading posts instead of what the thread is actually about. I'm just so used seeing people ask for advice.
I also didn't notice that you are one of the global moderators. I'm sure you probably already know how to take care of these things........Should I go ahead and bow now?
Chris C.
I also didn't notice that you are one of the global moderators. I'm sure you probably already know how to take care of these things........Should I go ahead and bow now?
Chris C.
Amano wanabe said:
No need to bow down.. its not like theres nothing for me to learn
in keeping fish!
I do have a lot to learn and i do learn bits and piecesevery day and thats what makes posting here fun.
Amano wanabe said:
Why would you recomend 20% every other day if you are still suffering from ammonia?
I like 90% water changes, If done correctly they are superior.
If you are getting an Ammonia spike after the tank is already cycled, something is wrong.
PeacockBass said:
Here's the way I look at it. A river system is constantly flowing with new/different water. Even in a lake, fish aren't exposed to the same water all the time. Enough vegetation and bacteria in the system would help to eliminate a harmful buildup of ammonia (unless of course you include some of those river systems in Brazil that have been so poluted that there are actually islands of foam floating around...
)Anyway; I said 20% each day after an initial...say 50%...to just give a suggestion. You can continue w/ more 50% changes everyday. The point is that any sort of water change will eliminate more ammonia. I'm not positive, but some of the most superior systems have overflow/drip systems, allowing new water to constantly be introduced. This is why many people do daily water changes on fry tanks. There is a theory saying that fish will grow faster w/ constant water changes. I don't know of all the reasons for this and I'm trying not to go off subject again. I personnaly wouldn't want to do a few daily massive water changes, so as not to eliminate as much good bacteria. I also don't want a huge water bill.
As far as a single 90% change, that may be just the thing if ammonia has built up a lot. I would also worry about what the fish would be going through. Sure, certain fish, especially larger ones, would handle this type of change better than others. I keep predominantly smaller fish, so I am more inclined to do smaller changes about once a week. A 90% water change would normally be a massive alteration in water chemistry. A fish who has slowly become accustomed to high ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, or whatever else may not take a change like this very well. The addition of high chlorine levels would also come into play (considering the chemistry of the local tap).
Well, my hands are about to fall off right now, so let me know if I left anything out.
HTH
Chris C.
