Why my Ammonia is high and my pH level crashed again?

Byron Amazonas said:

Thanks Patricia. That does answer my question. I was curious as to the fish load/plant load/tank volume, looking for possible causes for the ammonia. But there is certainly no overstocking of fish, and the plants include some faster growing species (which take up more ammonia obviously). So that eliminates that option. Which still leaves me stumped as to this ammonia showing up in tests. You are not overfeeding, I assume.

The plants will undoubtedly respond well with the Flourish Comprehensive Supplement (the liquid you have ordered). I believe previously I suggested reducing the light; I would have no more than two of the present three bulbs. Nothing to do with ammonia, but this will be better. The Java Fern will almost certainly improve with less light and the Flourish Comp. I have the best luck with this plant under the shade of floating plants.

Byron.

Click to expand...

Miguel said:

What water conditioner are you using? I have heard that you can get false readings when using certain products. Also what type of ammonia test do you have? Strips or Liquid? I would also check to see if the tests are not expired. It is a possiblity that the test is outdated and not giving an accurate reading.

Click to expand...

Byron Amazonas said:

A puzzle, the ammonia, but nevertheless, no issues I can see now.

Something else just occurred to me; do you have chloramine in the tap water, or just chlorine? Check with the water folks if you don't know. Chloramine has a connection to ammonia, to retain the disinfecting aspect longer than chlorine alone which dissipates rapidly.

Byron.

Click to expand...

Miguel said:

Going with Byron question, not sure if it is Prime or not but some water conditioners neutralizes Ammonia by converting it to Ammonium. It could be that since the test doesn't differentiate which form of Ammonium is in the water. That would give you a false reading saying that there is Ammonium when in fact it could be non toxic forms of ammonia.
http://www.seachem.com/support/FAQs/Prime.html

While trying to varify this I came accross this FAQ from Prime and it seems to be the answer to the problem.

Click to expand...

Byron Amazonas said:

Yes, Miguel, Prime does detoxify ammonia by changing it to ammonium, and according to Seachem this does not reverse, i.e., it remains ammonium. Plants and bacteria will readily take this up.

I asked about the chloramine thinking this could be the source of the 1ppm ammonia. Frankly, with those plants and so few fish, I am at a loss as to where it could possibly be originating (it is not in the source water, we dealt with that earlier and now here). Just keep monitoring it Patricia.

Now I'll suggest something respecting your conditioner, Prime. I myself would not use this in your situation. I don't like to see chemicals having no purpose being dumped into an aquarium; if one has ammonia, nitrite or nitrate in the source water, then Prime is the conditioner to use. But without these issues, I would recommend one that messes around less with the biology. With live plants, and bacteria, I consider it better to leave the nitrification to them and not add something that is going to interfere. Just my simple thinking, for what it may be worth.

Byron.

Click to expand...