Ammonia Spike

[shanna123]

I'm in the process of cycling a 29 gallon tank with fish (I know...I found out too late about fishless cycling). I have 5 cherry barbs and 4 priscilla tetras. Until today everything has been zero, expect nitrates (they were 5). Today though, the ammonia spiked to .50. I did a 25 percent water change and it came down to .25. So I did another 10 percent. It's a little lighter green, but not completely zero. Should I do another 10+ percent water change to get it to zero or wait until tomorrow and do another 25 percent? I assume this is the ammonia spike everyone's been talking about.

 

[snoopy65]

I would go ahead and do another water change to get it as close to zero as possible.

 

[altabc]

I agree with Snoopy. Do another water change as soon as you can.

 

[BoCoMo]

yes. keep the testing and water changes up

 

[Hooked Newbie]

I'm in the process of cycling a 29 gallon tank with fish (I know...I found out too late about fishless cycling). I have 5 cherry barbs and 4 priscilla tetras. Until today everything has been zero, expect nitrates (they were 5). Today though, the ammonia spiked to .50. I did a 25 percent water change and it came down to .25. So I did another 10 percent. It's a little lighter green, but not completely zero. Should I do another 10+ percent water change to get it to zero or wait until tomorrow and do another 25 percent? I assume this is the ammonia spike everyone's been talking about.

Water changes are your fish's friend.

More often and bigger if you're cycling is always a good bet. Something is off with the math (or the colors). i.e. a 50% change with .50 ammonia should bring it to .25.

 

[ChrisK]

I would do another water change.