I've been having a problem with ammonia in my tank for about a week or so now. I was sure it was from a media change in my filter. It was testing just over 1.0. I was doing water changes daily and could not bring it down. I finally tested the water straight out of the faucet and it tests just shy of 2.0. Within the past year, the village where I live changed over the water system to filtered water from the river, but its not like city of Chicago water where they use UV sterilizers, they add chemicals for sterilization. I visited the pet store in the area and there are a ton of ammonia reducing additives that are "safe for all tropical fish" but with rays you can never be too careful. Has anyone out there had this problem? Any suggestions?
Problem with Ammonia
- Thread starter G Maze 23
- Start date
Prime by seachem they are probably using chloramine
If you continue to have problems you may want to age your water as well
If you continue to have problems you may want to age your water as well
Ouch.
I have a fishkeeping friend who had ammonia in her water source. The answer we came up with was running a separate tank with heater and filter for the new water. The filter would remove the ammonia (and subsequent nitrIte) before it was used for water changes.
Personally I'd prefer this approach vs. dumping chemicals and junk into my tank, the initial cost wouldn't be horrendous with a craigslist cheapie tank or a stock tank or something.
I have a fishkeeping friend who had ammonia in her water source. The answer we came up with was running a separate tank with heater and filter for the new water. The filter would remove the ammonia (and subsequent nitrIte) before it was used for water changes.
Personally I'd prefer this approach vs. dumping chemicals and junk into my tank, the initial cost wouldn't be horrendous with a craigslist cheapie tank or a stock tank or something.
Yes, that's chlorIne IMO which causes ammonia. You may want to look at something equivalent to the hma that I am using in the uk from devotedly discus as these remove chloramine. If not use a dechlor that removes chloramine but as Pete says, a settling tank would be a good idea.
I have used AmmoLock before with rays without any ill effects, but only for short periods of time while cycling a new filter. I have also heard good things about Prime. I wouldn't recommend any chemicals as a long term solution.
I would call your water company and see what they are doing to your water and if this is going to be a long term problem, if it is then a solution like PeteLockwood might be your best bet.
I would call your water company and see what they are doing to your water and if this is going to be a long term problem, if it is then a solution like PeteLockwood might be your best bet.
First off, stop doing water changes. People get way too involved with that whole idea and can get into a pinch with it. You don't need to do repeated big water changes to have happy and healthy rays.
Just set up a big trash can of water with a filter or even a couple of power heads. Run water for 3-5 days prior to doing your water change. It will be a step in the right direction for you.
Just set up a big trash can of water with a filter or even a couple of power heads. Run water for 3-5 days prior to doing your water change. It will be a step in the right direction for you.
Are you saying that you have a chloramine problem and not really ammonia? I would suggest to get some seeded bacteria from an existing tank. A fast way I found that helps is getting a gravel vac and go through the gravel of an established tank and pouring this "dirty" water into the tank with the ammonia problem. This will usually fix your problem right away. Also make sure the pH doesn't go over 7. When pH is low ammonia is converted to a more stable form called ammonium and is much less toxic to your fish.
My ammonia out of the tap is .25. What i am doing even though i dont have any ammonia problems, is im taking 2 55gal barrels, fills them both up, add my prime and my heater. 2-3days later i remove a 100gal of tank water and then crack my valve on to the 2 - 55gal barrels.... quick and easy water change... nice aged water. try that maybe
The tank is fully cycled. It has 2 rays and a few small angels in it. Just tested ph at 6.0 and ammonia is between .50 and 1.0 with the American Pharmaceuticals test kits. Treated with Amquel yesterday only using half the suggested dose. Rays are acting fine, could it be a false reading?
Leaving water along for a couple days isn't gonna remove 2ppm of ammonia. If that's what his source water is, every water change is a dose of poison.