Let’s Talk Fertilizer & Schedule ( again)

[Kimunaffected]

???? Thanks I read that the Seachem ammonia alert will only test for the bad Ammonia ans is recommended if your struggling with the prime and api test . There was another mechanical free ammonia test but that one looked a little harder to operate.

 

[Kimunaffected]

Would still say it is a false reading, caused by the combination of prime with nitrogen in the tank.

I am leaning towards this too, ( I hate not believing my eyes but this doesn’t make sense any other way. )since the water changes had not lowered it at all. & IF I was having a spike am I correct that one of two things would have happened?
1 : my ammonia would have continued to rise ( hidden dead fish or something causing the spike )

or 2: the good bacteria would have ate the ammonia and converted it by now.

so with this result being so consistent. I think your absolutely right! .... I hope the Seachem ammonia alert shows soon.

 

[the loach]

I am leaning towards this too, ( I hate not believing my eyes but this doesn’t make sense any other way. )since the water changes had not lowered it at all. & IF I was having a spike am I correct that one of two things would have happened?
1 : my ammonia would have continued to rise ( hidden dead fish or something causing the spike )

or 2: the good bacteria would have ate the ammonia and converted it by now.

Considered that you have a well maintained, lightly stocked planted tank... a dead guppy somewhere isn't going to cause a problem. Any extra ammonia/ammonium the decay is going to cause over the guppy living is going to be used by either plants or bacteria pretty fast, it's not like it's a 4" goldfish.
If the spike was real water changes must lower it.
You added 2 rams (1" or 2"?) but I think you said you didn't even feed for the first day they were in there? For sake of argument say those 2 rams are as much of a bioload as all the guppies and cories you have in there. The bacteria would have kept up in 12 hours, even if you have the lazy slacking type, just 24 hours to adjust to the bioload.
None of this says that is a real spike.

 

[Kimunaffected]

Considered that you have a well maintained, lightly stocked planted tank... a dead guppy somewhere isn't going to cause a problem. Any extra ammonia/ammonium the decay is going to cause over the guppy living is going to be used by either plants or bacteria pretty fast, it's not like it's a 4" goldfish.
If the spike was real water changes must lower it.
You added 2 rams (1" or 2"?) but I think you said you didn't even feed for the first day they were in there? For sake of argument say those 2 rams are as much of a bioload as all the guppies and cories you have in there. The bacteria would have kept up in 12 hours, even if you have the lazy slacking type, just 24 hours to adjust to the bioload.
None of this says that is a real spike.

agreed, plus all the bigger fish are easy to account for If anything was missing it would have to be a cory Since I could possible double count or miss one ( But the only deaths I have had at all are those two Pygmy’s when the tank broke ) . The Seachem ammonia alert is in and It indeed reads safe. However 1 of the new rams has developed what looks like a couple white spots. Like 3 maybe 4. I know these fish went through stress. I don’t think my water is a problem. However introducing fish from a new place without qt always runs this risk. I guess I am glad I don’t plan on any additional fish.
thanks again so so much for all your help with this .

 

[the loach]

You're welcome Kim, for your ram I would use Microlift Herbtana it can be safely used in a planted tank.

 

[fishorama]

Can you post a pic of your ram? I know tl likes "natural" products but if it's ich there are other ways to treat it...if that's what it is. As usual start with more water changes. Always a safe & often effective first step for almost anything.

I agree the small amount of ammonia isn't a big deal. You have enough plants & beneficial bacteria to deal with a " dead guppy" amount.

 

[Kimunaffected]

I will absolutely post a photo when I get back home. The only treatment I have is API super ick cure I dosed the tank at 1/2 dose and removed carbon ( I actually just ripped a small hole out of the cartridge and put cartridge back ) I will buy that on amazon or at petco and scrap this. But I assume since I already dosed I should continue? ( I thought about the Pygmy but spaced thinking about the plants )

Can you post a pic of your ram? I know tl likes "natural" products but if it's ich there are other ways to treat it...if that's what it is. As usual start with more water changes. Always a safe & often effective first step for almost anything.

I agree the small amount of ammonia isn't a big deal. You have enough plants & beneficial bacteria to deal with a " dead guppy" amount.

You're welcome Kim, for your ram I would use Microlift Herbtana it can be safely used in a planted tank.

 

[Kimunaffected]

I don’t think I am missing any fish. I think making the switch from api stress coat to prime threw off my results .
Last year I bought mostly api products and I am just now learning they aren’t the best :/

 

[Kimunaffected]

I have 2 pre set heaters in the tank ( I use to run just one 100w but while expecting the rams I tossed in the second pre set ( 50w) . But neither can I adjust the temp. I was able to get from77 / 78 to what looks Closer to 80. But I have no real way to raise the temp any more.

 

[Kimunaffected]

Can you post a pic of your ram? I know tl likes "natural" products but if it's ich there are other ways to treat it...if that's what it is. As usual start with more water changes. Always a safe & often effective first step for almost anything.

I agree the small amount of ammonia isn't a big deal. You have enough plants & beneficial bacteria to deal with a " dead guppy" amount.

It’s really really hard, man tiny specs on fish are a pain to catch , I will keep trying. But here is what I got so far. These are small raised and white not the shimmery blue specs ( I was hoping so :/ ) the larger I believe male has a couple on his head and on fin The smaller could have one on the fin as well.