Water Changes to Drop Ammonia

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
muffywrx said:
Do you test your water before or after the water change? API ammonia test is inaccurate after the use of prime for 48 hours.

I know someone who had a similar problem and he dosed stability and it worked within a week or less.
Click to expand...

Awesome. Did he dose with stability daily? Did he perform water changes?

I always test the water before a water change and usually about an hour after. I guess that might be some of the problem. I am getting a false read, but definitely within the next few days I test for ammonia again and I have .25 usually or .5. Should I just keep using the Seachem Pond Stability?
 
I'm not sure, think he followed the bottles directions to a T, and I think you use it daily. He didn't perform water changes.

How old is your test kit?
 
My test kit is a year old. I just bought a new api master kit two weeks ago though and that kit tests the same amount for anmonia.
 
Alright. I would try the stability and maybe add some more biomedia as suggested before. Perhaps your fish have grown to surpass what was previously enough.
 
muffywrx said:
Alright. I would try the stability and maybe add some more biomedia as suggested before. Perhaps your fish have grown to surpass what was previously enough.
Click to expand...

What kind of biomedia would you suggest? I have two spare biowheels that I could sink in my sump filter? They wouldn't spin, but would potentially collect bio?
 
Well the cleaning of the filter pieces in tap water destroys the bacteria completely but that you know. I am just think with that bacteria being destroyed what you have left is not enough to keep the tank balanced along with a water change which is disrupting everything a little.
 
What is your bio load? Is the bio wheels your only bio filtration? Feeding schedule? I also find that you shouldn't change more than 50% at a time. I also used to do 75% water changes and found that my parameters always fluctuated. Then I started doing 50% exactly weekly sometimes 2x weekly and its fine. Also It would ideally be better to do 20% daily. Or set up a drip system.
 
How are your fish doing? Seriously? Are they gasping for air? 50% water change per week is above average. Very good in my opinion. I think you should focus on your fish, are they active? Fins up, alert, feeding, getting fat, growing? That's the true test. I wouldn't sweat it if the fish are fine and growing.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom