.25 ammonia

[pilger@insightb]

I thought my tank was cycled but now I added my 3 female bettas (5gal tank) and now i have .25 ammonia. how much water should I change and how often to keep the ammonia levels down?

 

[Rbishop]

Change as necessary, 30-50% so the ammonia isn't detectable.

 

[Impudence12]

The bacteria colonies have to grow to match the new ammonia output. Change the water as often as nessecary to keep the ammonia as low as reasonably possible. 3 bettas in a 5 gallon seems like a tight squeeze.

 

[Weezer]

:iagree:

 

[jwddboy]

Yeah. i'd personally only have one in 5gals.

By living in puddles... it means water quantity that is about as big as your average small garden pond.

Also reducing the fish = less ammonia

Im guessing there's no need to ask if you have a filter in there?

 

[pilger@insightb]

I have a small heater, filter and bio wheel.

 

[ct-death]

A newly cycled tank is very fragile and adding too many fish, or fish too soon over-rides the balance in the nitrification-cycle.

3 F bettas added to a 5 gallon tank...? What else do you have in with them!?!

 

[pilger@insightb]

Thats all ... just the 3 betta

 

[jwddboy]

ok wel thats good. All it is, is that the 3 fish are creating more ammonia than the bacteria in your tank were used to.

Water changes = good.

Just keep doing them.

The ammonia should never be high as that.

Still... unless you are totally set on having 3 in that one tank. Less fish will help you out.

 

[pilger@insightb]

Will they breath air from the top to avoid the ammonia? are they suffering at .25 ammonia.