Insufficient Filtration

[messesb52]

There is clearly atleast 12"x12" of bio balls in his sump. More than enough for double his stock.

I agree with you here that i have plenty of bio media in my sump. I dont think a lack of bio media is the problem.

 

[ecoli73]

If I were you, I would just add an fx5 on your tank and fill it with something like matrix(south of $300), or add one of those $100 sunsuns. It is pretty clear that your filter is not able to consume all the ammonia and you need more capacity.

It is also clear that you have being keeping up with WCs because your nitrates are relatively low.

 

[ElectricBlueSeanBurch]

I agree with you here that i have plenty of bio media in my sump. I dont think a lack of bio media is the problem.

Is your bio really dirty? My bio balls would get caked with crud and my nitrates would creep up really high. I always cleaned it when needed. I'm sure this could lead to an ammonia spike

 

[pk705]

I agree with you here that i have plenty of bio media in my sump. I dont think a lack of bio media is the problem.

Technically, there do exist bacteria, that are able to reduce nitrate to ammonia. Are there any dead spots (no current) in the tank/filtration system? The bacteria in question are anaerobic and normally shouldn't be a problem; however, the parameters described are not normal either. How deep is your sand level?

 

[ElectricBlueSeanBurch]

Technically, there do exist bacteria, that are able to reduce nitrate to ammonia. Are there any dead spots (no current) in the tank/filtration system? The bacteria in question are anaerobic and normally shouldn't be a problem; however, the parameters described are not normal either. How deep is your sand level?

@fishmanbob87:
*you, *you.

Interesting

 

[Jc1119]

Sorry even if filters removing ammonia is "common knowledge" I strongly disagree. Out of the 50 plus tanks my father n I have running if we did not do water changes regularly the ammonia would spike sky high reguardless of how much bio media the sumps have.

Sorry but this is just not correct if your filtration has enough bio( surface area) you will not have ammonia present. We do water changes to remove Nitrates and DOC's. Filtration converts ammonia to nitrite and then to nitrate.

If your doing water changes to remove ammonia, you are doing something wrong filtration wise.


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[mr.bigglesworth]

Interesting

Indeed.

 

[messesb52]

Yeah it looks like your sump should be able to handle the load which is moderate in a tank that size.

Check your water supply first and once that looks good, make sure there's no waste built up anywhere in the system. Then either add bio to your sump or add a filter.

Just checked tap water it looks fine. Like i said before, i highly doubt that theres any waste buildup anywhere in the tank as i've been having problems with ammonia for months, and any waste i think would have decomposed by now..

 

[mr.bigglesworth]

Just thought I'd mention, if your seeing signs of ammonia poisoning it may already be too late. Generally speaking, once visible symptoms become apparent the fish is already too far gone to cure... but hopefully this isnt the case.

 

[messesb52]

Technically, there do exist bacteria, that are able to reduce nitrate to ammonia. Are there any dead spots (no current) in the tank/filtration system? The bacteria in question are anaerobic and normally shouldn't be a problem; however, the parameters described are not normal either. How deep is your sand level?

@fishmanbob87:
*you, *you.

My sand level is deep, about 2 inches (taking an estimated guess)