Water Problems

[meghanashley]

I am battling what I am now feeling is a losing battle. I have never had problem like this before. My water has turned cloudy the ammonia level is at 4 (I've never in the last 8 years gone over 2 and that was uncommon, even when starting a new tank).

I'm not sure what is causing this. My bio load recently was cut in half as I swapped a 2'3" tire track eel for a 1' the water was perfect before the swap with the extra boi load. I upgraded the filter about 4 months ago,(was fine before 10 days ago). I switched my substrate to sand about 6 weeks ago. After that I'm running out of ideas. The suction on the filter is good.

I hate using chemicals but I've resoted to Amnio-Lock It's not helping. Water changes are not helping. The cloudiness has been getting progressivly worse everyday and the amnonia stays at 4. Everything else is minutely off, the only disconcerning test results are the ammonia.

Any ideas or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

 

[zennzzo]

I am battling what I am now feeling is a losing battle. I have never had problem like this before. My water has turned cloudy the ammonia level is at 4 (I've never in the last 8 years gone over 2 and that was uncommon, even when starting a new tank).

I'm not sure what is causing this. My bio load recently was cut in half as I swapped a 2'3" tire track eel for a 1' the water was perfect before the swap with the extra boi load. I upgraded the filter about 4 months ago,(was fine before 10 days ago). I switched my substrate to sand about 6 weeks ago. After that I'm running out of ideas. The suction on the filter is good.

I hate using chemicals but I've resoted to Amnio-Lock It's not helping. Water changes are not helping. The cloudiness has been getting progressivly worse everyday and the amnonia stays at 4. Everything else is minutely off, the only disconcerning test results are the ammonia.

Any ideas or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

How old is your test kit?
How big of tank?
What filter set up?
What is the total bio-load?

 

[meghanashley]

I have an API test kit that I've had maybe 3 years? I have a tire track that is only a foot a lepard leaf (about 5") and a pleco (who'e around 1') in that tank. The tank is 72g and the filter is an emperor(? I forget the number 400 maybe) I'll have to check it's made for up to 90g I forget the flow rate. Before this for several months I had to run a filter (emperor as well)but it was half the flow rate, no problems. When I do water changes the water I am putting in is crystal clear. I had no decor that hasn't been in one tank or another of mine for years.


I've been putting in good water from other established tanks to try and help but it's seems to be doing no good. My fish in that tank have not eaten in three days.

 

[zennzzo]

I have an API test kit that I've had maybe 3 years? I have a tire track that is only a foot a lepard leaf (about 5") and a pleco (who'e around 1') in that tank. The tank is 72g and the filter is an emperor(? I forget the number 400 maybe) I'll have to check it's made for up to 90g I forget the flow rate. Before this for several months I had to run a filter (emperor as well)but it was half the flow rate, no problems. When I do water changes the water I am putting in is crystal clear. I had no decor that hasn't been in one tank or another of mine for years.


I've been putting in good water from other established tanks to try and help but it's seems to be doing no good. My fish in that tank have not eaten in three days.

Sounds to me like you nuked the filter in the 72g...
Water from another tank isn't going to do you any good as far as re-establishing the filter that is on the 72g. A bag of substrate or Bio from another established tank, to seed the filter will help...

3yr is along time for 1 test kit IMO, I toss mine after one year...

Can you move the fish to the other tanks that are OK?

 

[brianp]

Perform a water change and then immediately begin a dosing regimen with Seachem Stability.

 

[meghanashley]

Sounds to me like you nuked the filter in the 72g...
Water from another tank isn't going to do you any good as far as re-establishing the filter that is on the 72g. A bag of substrate or Bio from another established tank, to seed the filter will help...

3yr is along time for 1 test kit IMO, I toss mine after one year...

Can you move the fish to the other tanks that are OK?

I can't move the eel as he's too agressive, the leaf will cause problems but not death. I'll move them when I get home. One of the two bio wheels I switched from another tank it's years old. What do you mean nuked the filter?

 

[meghanashley]

Perform a water change and then immediately begin a dosing regimen with Seachem Stability.

I never used that what does it do. I've done water changes everyday, One of my thoughts is that I was inhibiting the tank from balancing the bacteria load because of all the water changes.

 

[brianp]

I never used that what does it do. I've done water changes everyday, One of my thoughts is that I was inhibiting the tank from balancing the bacteria load because of all the water changes.

It will immediately add the bacteria required to oxidize ammonia and nitrite.

 

[zennzzo]

I can't move the eel as he's too agressive, the leaf will cause problems but not death. I'll move them when I get home. One of the two bio wheels I switched from another tank it's years old. What do you mean nuked the filter?

Killed the Benificial bacteria...

My suggestion would have been to remove the inhabitants and do a fishless cycle...you have some established media that you can "seed" with so it wouldn't take long...

Also I think Ammo-lock will give you a false ammonia reading...

 

[msjinkzd]

Have you tested your tap water for any changes?