Playing Catch-Up with Ammonia

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
TakeNotes

TakeNotes

Plecostomus
MFK Member
Jun 19, 2010
1,553
17
53
In The Jungle
I had a Ammonia spike last week after adding several new fish and over feeding to make sure everyone was fat and happy.

Ammonia was at 4.0ppm almost 8.0ppm and I did a 50% water change right away. That same night I did another one and the following afternoon did one again.
At that point the ammonia was at about .5ppm to 1.0ppm. That day I moved and did another 50% or more w/c as I could not carry so much water with me in the already heavy containers. I kept the sand wet and in ziplock bags and some in the containers with the fish. However the sand was switched out completely a few days prior to the ammo spike.

I tested again tonight and this is what I gotuploadfromtaptalk1355631552382.jpg
Tested tap water and it reads 0 ammonia.

I upgraded my 2250 pump tp 1260 since I got some new rays yesterday. Also I have a 2260 I picked up today that I will setup tomorrow.

My tank is a 150 breeder.
Filtration 2x 2217 eheim, 1 2250 (now with 1260 pump from a 2260)
And pending is the 2260 for tomorrow.
I do feed a little on the heavy side but I remove any left over food. Might miss a piece here and there as I don't want to poke around too much and stress everyone out.

My stock is a bit crazy right now
3x weeksi polys all under 8"
4x Clown loaches 4-5"
Silver aro 9"
5 rays (two were added yesterday after the issue)
Rays are 14", 10", 11", 8" and 6"
5 IT dats biggest is 6" 3 are 4" and one is 2"

I am looking to buy or build a new tank after the holidays HOWEVER the ammonia is freaking me out.

Eheims are running sponges and media for the most part with a bag of carbon in 2250 (which I will remove tomorrow) and a small bag of crushed coral in a 2217 for my ph.

Should I continue daily 50% w/c until my system catches up with the new bioload (if this is the problem)? Worried this may be stressing the new fish out to change so much water daily.

Also I am looking for a way to get cheaper media (than the eheim stuff) in my 2260 tomorrow as cash is low this week after buying these rays and filter. Will spounges (fine and course) with tons of bio balls cut it in the 2260? Any recommendation as to how I should fill my 2260. Pretty sure I don't have enough bio in my system at this point with changing all my sand out and the increase in stock over the passed few weeks.

Help! Should I add a carton of ammo chips in the meantime to the 2260 tomorrow untill the 2260 get enough bacteria?
 
When I had this issue, they told me to do water changes as often as I could, so I did it twice a day...but then I heard other folks says taking too much out will reset the cycle, so IDK. I added in bottles of bacteria this past Monday and havent done a water change yet, was wanting to see how long it will take for the ammonia to go down.
 
MasterB said:
When I had this issue, they told me to do water changes as often as I could, so I did it twice a day...but then I heard other folks says taking too much out will reset the cycle, so IDK. I added in bottles of bacteria this past Monday and havent done a water change yet, was wanting to see how long it will take for the ammonia to go down.
Click to expand...

Doing a 50% now but that too is my worry. Will beef up the bio tomorrow but wanna make the right choices till the bacteria builds up. I considered adding bottle of bac but I spent crazy money this passed month on fish and expecially this week so I can't afford that stuff lol
 
I have used seachems stability when starting new tanks, so if my experience is indicative of performance it should help (haven't lost a fish while cycling a tank).

Doing 50% wc, twice a day shouldn't be too much to keep the bacteria from establishing. If ammonia is present then the bacteria are using it and growing all at once - you just have to make sure the levels don't get too high.
 
Sounds like you have too many fish. I have a 180 and couldn't imagine that many fish in there. 5 Rays and overfeeding is going to make your ammonia skyrocket let alone the other fish.
 
packer43064 said:
Sounds like you have too many fish. I have a 180 and couldn't imagine that many fish in there. 5 Rays and overfeeding is going to make your ammonia skyrocket let alone the other fish.
Click to expand...

Yes, I'm aware. I need a solution tho not a restatement of my problem :banghead: An upgrade is in the works my friend. Just need to survive till then. Even considering lightening the load but the rays must stay. Everyone has settled in nicely so I will be cutting down feeding and maybe getting two pf the polys out to start. Just need a solution to the ammonia before it gets out of hand ya know. Maybe ammo chips? Seachem etc etc ya know...
wrslrcichlid said:
I have used seachems stability when starting new tanks, so if my experience is indicative of performance it should help (haven't lost a fish while cycling a tank).

Doing 50% wc, twice a day shouldn't be too much to keep the bacteria from establishing. If ammonia is present then the bacteria are using it and growing all at once - you just have to make sure the levels don't get too high.
Click to expand...

Sounds good. Going to pack this 2260 with seachem matrix as advised by strollo22 and keep with the changes till the bacteria catches up.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom