My Ammonia is Still Really High After a Water Change...

FAcT_oR_FiCTiON

FAcT_oR_FiCTiON

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Nov 16, 2007
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Hi guys, I had 4 White Clouds and I lost one today :confused:

I tested the ammonia and it was abnormally high, reading at about 1 (ppm?). In the past, maybe 2 weeks ago, when I last checked, it was zero. I immediately did like a 25% water change, and the reading looks exactly the same.

Should I do a 50% change? It's wierd.

Thanks.
 
okay, i just did a 50% change (after the 25) and the ammonia level has been reduced, yet it's still not at zero. i added some "Cycle" to the tank (a very tiny amount) hoping that it would help with bacteria to consume the ammonia. i dont know if this would work, but still... i tried.
 
you know.. im thinking that my tank is cycling... i mean, the ammonia was only at 1 (which isn't as high as it could be, but still high) and i only have a few small white clouds in there. i had been cycling the tank before with old gravel, but maybe it didn't work and only now am i getting bacteria and ammonia readings. i got the tank almost 5 weeks ago then after 3 weeks i added the fish. they've been in there ever since.
 
If you "cycled" the tank with used media, then let it sit for 3 weeks, you lost any beneficial bacteria the media had.

You then added fish, which added a bio-load and produced ammonia. It wouldn't surprise me that early on even with fish you got readings of no ammonia.

Prime is a dechlorinator that breaks down chlorine and chloramine. But it also binds ammonia to a non-toxic form to prevent damage to your fish and it is still available to the good bacteria.

What is the ammonia reading on your tap water?

Continue water changes to keep ammonia and nitrites less than .25. Your tank is cycling. The "Cycle" product is not going to help, IMO.
 
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what kinda of filter do u have, oh and is that a bottle of Remy Martin in your hand?
 
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