Help Please Ammonia Still High

[Saltyone]

Im into my like 7 week of my new tank.
Yester day i did another 20 percent water change today i tested the water my nitrate and nitrite are both 0
PH 8.2 but ammonia still 0.2 how can i get that down what can i do. Can i use Ammo chips in a bag in my sump?? Help please

[pace507]

correct me if im wrong, but I thought nitrites eat amonia. Did you try another test kit? Just to make sure your amonia is infact at .2?

[Saltyone]

MY LFS said this is a VERY good one only for SW nothing else cost me 50.00 bucks

[glc]

Doing water changes for high amonia will most likely have no effect. You are not allowing your nitrites to build up to consume the amonia. It does not sound like your tank has finished its cycle. Did you keep a record of your cycle progression?

G.L.C

[Saltyone]

well i changed the water 2 weeks ago it is that same as it was today and i changed the water yester day again
2 weeks ago Nitrate and nitrite were 0 ph was 8.2 and ammonia 0.2 the kit im using to test is really clear in colors so i know its not my eyes playing tricks

[Saltyone]

This tank is gonna drive me crazy i swear. Im just to scared i dont wanna hurt anything. I like my fishys

Can i use Ammo chips to help bring it down. Put them in a bag in my sump???

[glc]

I would suggest putting your fish in a established tank until your cycle has been completed and stop the water changes until your cycle has completed its course. What kind of fish do you have in your tank currently?

G.L.C

[BrianH]

IMHO the problems you are encountering are due to your stocking your tank too quickly and heavily . IMHO water changes are your only choice to keep your current fish alive.
BTW, bacteria are the organisms that will consume your ammonia.

Brian

[glc]

Nitrite 0 ?
Nitrate 0 ?

You could be right Brian but I have never seen a newly cycled tank with zero nitrates before. If the addition of six Damsels to a 55 gal tank did throw the tank into another cycle it will be a small one, and one that should be left alone to complete its cycle or he will be beating his head against the wall for a long time to come. Clowns and Damsels in general are pretty hardy fish and will most likely endure this mini cylce with out incident.

My biggest concern with this selection of fish is compatability. Damsels are fairly aggressive and have a tendency to smack each other around a bit.

IMHO I would wait until you see the amonia and nitrites run there course and then start your water changes back up. Having a small spike after adding your fish is normal. Not having any nitrates at this point is not.

G.L.C :)

[OrionGirl]

Nitrites aren't capable of 'consuming' anything---they are a chemical, just like water, or ammonia. Several different kinds of bacteria process ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates--nitrites are a by-product of ammonia, nitrates are a by-product of nitrates.

If I recall the history of this tank, the nitrites have spiked perviously, correct? So, it seems likely that there was a recent increase in the supply of ammonia--either overfeeding, or the addition of uncured live rock, maybe? The ammonia rises as a result, and the nitrites will spike in a short while. There are critters 9ie, xenia) which will soak up nitrates, and a 0 reading isn't completely impossible, especially if you're doing water changes. IF you can identify the source of the additional ammonia, then using the ammo-chips to bring down this small spike is fine--just start with a small amount, adding until the ammo drops to ) and then remove them quickly. This way, the existing bio-bed--which can handle the normal load--isn't starved.

I do agree that you're going to have problems with the mix of fish you currently have--but I've said that before.

[Saltyone]

Well my 3 damsels never actually bother anyone i watch the tank constantly to see whats going on, The 3 clown i have chase eacthother every now and then but the damselks really do nothing........ The damsels i might tak out any way more room for better fish.

[Saltyone]

Tested water again now and ammonia up to 0.4
One of my clowns just died and one other clown is loosing color seems tail is turning white. Not spots just everything turning white any ideas

[pace507]

I would take out what you can and back to lfs and wait for tank to finish cycle. You might cycle again with fish dieing. What kind of damsels are they? Are they the dominos (black with white dot)? Those ones are mean. I had them as tank cyclers and were the meanest of the damsels. the yellow tails werent as bad. Also damsels are a b@#$#$ to catch.

Some tanks take a long time to cycle, my 60 gallon was about 3 months, before I was confident everything was ok. Also you dont want to put a bunch of fish in at once since its a new tank.

[Saltyone]

There blie damsels