New oscar owner has ? about h2o

[nero6370]

Greetings everyone!


I had the water from my 50 gal tub tested at the lfs today (3 juv o's and 1 juv com pleco). Nitrates, nitrites, and ph were normal but the ammo was dark green (way high). I had done a partial water change just 2 days ago and added ammo loc (50 ml), so I am suprised it was still so high. I have done another partial water change and another 50 ml of ammo loc. My questions are these: how long should I wait before testing the water again to see any changes and what else can I be doing to bring down the ammonia (besides a larger tank-a 75 gal will be here this week) ? Thanks for any advice Tom

 

[rallysman]

What is your filtration? How long has the tank been setup, and when did you clean the filter last? It sounds like it is going through the first step of the cycle.

 

[carsanfish]

A 75 gallon still wont be big enough for 3 oscars... get somethin like a 125 gallon that is perfect for 3 oscars. but then again everybody has there oppion on how many fish to a tank.

 

[RadleyMiller]

Ammo-loc and Amquel give false readings for ammonia. It "locs" it up, but it is still read by the test strips/drops.

 

[WyldFya]

The presence of ammonia if the tank is cycled would suggest that you don't have sufficient filtration. The test kit your LFS may detect all ammonia, available or not.. Ammo lock locks up the ammonia, and some test will still have it present. It is still present but is has been bound to other molecules to make it non-toxic. The best way to get rid of it is a large water change. There are a few test kits that will detect for only available sources of ammonia.

 

[nero6370]

What is your filtration? How long has the tank been setup, and when did you clean the filter last? It sounds like it is going through the first step of the cycle.

Thanks for the quick response; I am using a aqua clear 110 set at the high setting, the tub has been in operation for 3 to 4 weeks now and I cleaned the foam insert only just the other day, before the test. I rinsed it in warm tap water.

 

[fresh2salt]

try doing another water change BUT dont use ammonia lock. and see what the test reads

 

[Lil_Stinker]

Thanks for the quick response; I am using a aqua clear 110 set at the high setting, the tub has been in operation for 3 to 4 weeks now and I cleaned the foam insert only just the other day, before the test. I rinsed it in warm tap water.

Most tap water contains chlorine, this will KILL the benificial bacteria that processes ammonia.

Sounds like this tank has not cycled yet. is this is true, then it needs to cycle, leave the filter alone, let the bacteria grow.

Review some threads on cycling a tank for additional info. Also I am sure many others will add to this response.


]/\[elcome to ]\/[fk

 

[smmfish]

I have to agree that a 75 gallon wont be big enough for 3 adult oscars, I suggest a 180 gallon for 3 adult oscars. When you clean your filter, you need to rinse them in TANK WATER and not tap water, that kills all the benefitial bacteria. Ammo-lock does give false ammonia readings. Why do you use that? Water changes are the best way to get the ammonia levels down. Hope this helps.

 

[Lil_Stinker]

I have returned,

If yout Nitrate & Nitrite levels are 'normal' then it is likely that your levels of benificial bacteria are low.

I reccomend small (25%) conditioned water changes over the next few weeks, checking levels regularly. You should see a rise in Nitrite as the bacteria takes hold, and the ammonia will drop, Nitrate will then begin to be converted to Nitrate & the Nitrite level will drop. Nitrate will continue to rise & will need to be controlled by water changes.

You also did not mention the pH levels in your original post, pH will play a factor in the ammonia cycle as well.

Filter media should NEVER be rinsed in tap water, most municipal water contains chlorine & will kill the bacteria colonies that are needed to process ammonia.

An interesting reference is listed below...

http://freshaquarium.about.com/cs/biologicalcycle/a/nitrogencycle.htm

One of the primary goals of the aquarist is to reproduce parts the nitrogen cycle on a small scale. While similar to the nitrogen cycle in natural environments, the aquarist must supplement some of the components necessary for the cycle to complete. When an aquarium is initially setup, there is insufficient beneficial bacteria to break down fish waste and uneaten food, which allows for unhealthy levels of ammonia and nitrite to build up. Hobbyists refer to this situation as "New Tank Syndrome"; it is a leading cause of fish deaths with newcomers to the hobby. Over time the addition of fish waste, carbon dioxide, light, and plant fertilizers will begin to build large colonies of beneficial bacteria that will ensure the aquarium remains healthy and active (The New Tank Syndrome 2006).

The primary source of ammonia (NH3) is created when fish consume food and oxygen (O2) and create waste and carbon dioxide (CO2). The fish waste then decays into Ammonia. Other sources include excess food that is not eaten as well as decaying plants and dead fish. The rise in ammonia triggers the growth of Nitrosomonas which produce nitrites (NO2). The nitrites trigger the growth of Nitrobacter to produce nitrates (NO3). The nitrates and carbon dioxide are consumed by plant life which produce oxygen through the process of photosynthesis. Excess nitrates are removed by water changes.


source http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrogen_cycle