Stingray & Ammonia Troubles (Pt 2 )

[Pitty27]

I would change filter socks out every 3rd day. Remove sand completely. Test tap water for ammonia, if that checks out I would be doing 80% changes Daily. Move some of the lava rock around in your sump and look for waste built up. I would also add some airstones within the lava rock and think of getting some better media.

What would removing the sand do? What if my tap water has ammonia? I thought lava rock was one of the best to use because of how manipulable and porous it was? Sorry for my twenty questions, I'm just trying to learn and grasp what and why I would be doing these things.

 

[Pitty27]

I would change filter socks out every 3rd day. Remove sand completely. Test tap water for ammonia, if that checks out I would be doing 80% changes Daily. Move some of the lava rock around in your sump and look for waste built up. I would also add some airstones within the lava rock and think of getting some better media.

What would removing the sand do? What if my tap water has ammonia? I thought lava rock was one of the best to use because of how manipulable and porous it was? Sorry for my twenty questions, I'm just trying to learn and grasp what and why I would be doing these things.

 

[Pitty27]

The other ray keeper was me. I had to modify my sump. I also added a ton of biomedia.

How did you modify your sump?

 

[krabbo008]

What would removing the sand do? What if my tap water has ammonia? I thought lava rock was one of the best to use because of how manipulable and porous it was? Sorry for my twenty questions, I'm just trying to learn and grasp what and why I would be doing these things.

It sounds like there is too much sand in the tank, possibly pockets of detritus within. I have never used lava rock personally. I like bakki shower ceramic media. Very cheap Very pourous. If there is ammonia in your tap water the larger water changes will not help you, that's why I suggested testing it. 25% is not enough w/c with a stingray and your current readings.

 

[krabbo008]

I would also stop feeding daily. I would target feed the stingray everyday and maybe switch the other fish to everyother day. I personally would stop adding the bottled "BB". It does not seem to be helping.

 

[Pitty27]

I would also stop feeding daily. I would target feed the stingray everyday and maybe switch the other fish to everyother day. I personally would stop adding the bottled "BB". It does not seem to be helping.

What can I do if I have ammonia in my tap water? How big of a water change should I be doing and how often? I use the powder BB, which may be why it may not be helping or just in general not doing anything.

 

[cigars]

What’s your turnover rate on your tank? You should shoot for minimum 10x turnover ( I may have missed it if you said what it was).
Also I would not turn the pump off during feeding, rays produce tons of ammonia. If your worried about otter not getting food rays are very smart you can target feed with tongues

To be honest it seems like the tank is not fully cycled you should have nitrates, I would do what has already been suggested stop feeding the fish and target feed your ray only daily water changes and dechlorinater make sure the brand you use detoxifies ammonia.

 

[cigars]

Can you post a picture of your sump?

 

[viper0397]

How did you modify your sump?

I had all my holes in my dividers from top to bottom. The water just simply bypassed all of the media, so I blocked off most of the holes on the return side to force the water down to the bottom so it had to pass through the media. First sump I built and a rookie mistake.

 

[TheWolfman]

What can I do if I have ammonia in my tap water? How big of a water change should I be doing and how often? I use the powder BB, which may be why it may not be helping or just in general not doing anything.

Have you tested your tap water for ammonia? I’m thinking that either your not probably using the test kit or your tanks not cycled. Are you shaking the second nitrate bottle for the full minute that the instructors say to do. If you skip this step you won’t get propper readings. I agree with the posts above stop your feeding until you get this under control as rays are very sensitive to ammonia.