I have a 10 gal and I started it a little over a month ago. I used the water from my 55 gal to start it, but the problem is that I can not get the ammonia level below 4. the 55 tests show 0 but the 10 gal is giving me fits. I have done 25% water changes everyday then I went 25 every other day and then to every 3rd day and nothing seems to matter. I have a Whisper 5-15 filter and a UGF and am going to get a powerhead for the UGF. But I need to know what to do about the ammonia problem. Should I get a differant filter? I have ammino chips in the filter and ammonia filter media in the filter. What am I doing wrong????
ammonia problems
- Thread starter angels2
- Start date
So, are you fishless cycling the tank, or is the ammonia coming from fish?? Which ever your doing, after time ammonia will convert to nitrite. Nitrite will convert to nitrAte. It all works out...of course, 4 ppm ammonia can be rough on fish so I do hope your fishless cycling, feeding your bacteria with ammonia in a container. 
I have 2 angels in there now. They seem to be doing ok. or maybe not just to be safe I think I will take them out. I am not really sure about fishless cycling, How does it work and what do I do?
Still trying to get things straight.
Thanks for the help
Still trying to get things straight.
Thanks for the help
In the Freshwater Newbies Forum, go to the top thread where some of us members have posted good links for beginners. I have posted some great links on fishless cycling there. I feel they will help you...
Where will you put the angels if you take them out? If you have something better to put them in, congrats but if not maybe that wouldn't be the best idea. Anyway, angels need about 30 gallons for a pair to successfully thrive. Some experts have been able to keep them in 20 gallons...but I wouldn't try it first off.
Where will you put the angels if you take them out? If you have something better to put them in, congrats but if not maybe that wouldn't be the best idea. Anyway, angels need about 30 gallons for a pair to successfully thrive. Some experts have been able to keep them in 20 gallons...but I wouldn't try it first off.
Nitrifying bacteria do not reside in the water column. Do you do gravel vacuuming in the 55? Next time, let the old water settle, pour off all the ‘nice’ water you can and collect some of the sludgy water at the bottom. Shut off the filter temporarily in your 10 gallon and take out the media. Empty the sludge into the filter chamber, replace the filter media and start it up again. Some stuff may still fly out into the tank, but that is ok, it will settle and will introduce some good stuff on your gravel. Also, take a handful of gravel from the 55 and sprinkle it across the floor of the 10. Water changes will not slow down the process of cycling a tank. If you have fish in there, do all the water changes necessary to get the ammonia level down.