osmocote root tabs cause ammonia spikes

[nighthawkpearl]

my 45gal tank freshwater media has been matured for 2 years till I planted too many osmocote root tabs like 45 tabs under the gravel and now it causes ammonia spikes like 1.0ppm. I was doing 90% WC with seachem prime and still at 1.0ppm. How long for ammonia be back to normal?

the tank has"
the tank has:
6 amazon swords
3 anubias nana
1 anubias barteri
1 moses balls
1 java moss
4 java fern
1 Echinodorus 'Hadi Red Pearl'

about 20 tropical community fishes
8 ghost shrimps and 5 cherry shrimps
3 african dwarf frogs

they seems ok, not see any of them suffer.

 

[the loach]

You have false readings. Your fish wouldn't be fine with ammonia at 1ppm

 

[fishorama]

I think it could be from your tap water if your co. uses chloramines. Using Prime will break the chlorine/ammonia bond & keep your animals safe for at least 24-48 hours until you bacteria & plants can use it.

45 tiny osmocote beads doesn't seem like a lot to me. But keep in mind ferns, anubias & mosses don't need fertilizing.

 

[nighthawkpearl]

I think it could be from your tap water if your co. uses chloramines. Using Prime will break the chlorine/ammonia bond & keep your animals safe for at least 24-48 hours until you bacteria & plants can use it.

45 tiny osmocote beads doesn't seem like a lot to me. But keep in mind ferns, anubias & mosses don't need fertilizing.

I had not changed the water and ammonia was zero ppm till placed osmocote but then i dont think its ammonia , its ammonium NH4 that cause API ammonia false reading like above THE loach said its false reading but i keep my eyes on nitrite and nitrate. all fishes seems fine now.

thanks for reply!

 

[ustabefast]

45 osmocote capsules? Did you fill some 00 size pill capsules and insert in the substrate? How large is the tank?

 

[fishorama]

Good question usedto. I was assuming the OP meant tiny beads of Osmocote...not 45 capsules!