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Ammonia

Discussion in 'Aquarium Equipment & Decor' started by bouncer36, Jul 11, 2012.

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  1. bouncer36

    bouncer36 Thread Starter Member

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    My ammonia level is very high i did a 25% water change Saturday and now i cannot get the ammonia level and the nitrate level so i know what i will be doing when i get from work today a 15% water change.
     
    bouncer36, Jul 11, 2012
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  2. bouncer36

    bouncer36 Thread Starter Member

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    Well did a 15% water change the ammonia is still high and now nitrate is high and nitrate is high too now what do i do another water today or tomorrow please answer soon
     
    bouncer36, Jul 11, 2012
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  3. HBIC

    HBIC Need help??? That's what we're here for :)

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    It sounds as if your tank is cycling, what are your exact parameters?
     
    HBIC, Jul 11, 2012
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  4. bouncer36

    bouncer36 Thread Starter Member

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    Ph level 7.0 ammonia is 4.0,nitrate 5.0, nitrite 0.25
     
    bouncer36, Jul 11, 2012
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  5. buzz4520

    buzz4520 Well-Known Member

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    wow !! ammonia is really high !!!
    my advise well be to do a 50% water change, then do another 50% right after that then wait about 24 hrs, check water parameters again and then do another 50% water change. keep checking water parameters (especially ammonia) every 24 hours until ammonia is gone. until then try to keep ammonia no greater than .25 ppm, that's why i suggest the big water changes. until the tank cycles the only way to get rid of the ammonia is to do water changes unless it's a live planted tank, then the plants should be helping in getting rid of the ammonia.
    i'm cycling a 10g (no live plants) now and i'm doing at least 50% water changes daily to keep the ammonia level around .25 ppm.
     
    buzz4520, Jul 11, 2012
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  6. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    definately agree - tank is cycling.
    If you don't understand the cycle process search the forum...there's some really great articles including one that breaks it down day by day.
     
    MOD_Dawn, Jul 11, 2012
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  7. bouncer36

    bouncer36 Thread Starter Member

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    This tank has been setup and cycle then for 2 years now just want do my usual 25% water change this last Saturday i did a 15% water change yesterday to try to get ammonia down check the ammonia and the nitrate and nitrite this morning still all high ok so i know what i will be doing when i get home from work a 50% water change i hope i get it down before Monday i have work both jobs then
     
    bouncer36, Jul 12, 2012
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  8. bouncer36

    bouncer36 Thread Starter Member

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    It does have life plants it 6 of them
     
    bouncer36, Jul 12, 2012
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  9. bouncer36

    bouncer36 Thread Starter Member

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    Once i get it down how often should i clean it you know water change ?
     
    bouncer36, Jul 12, 2012
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  10. bouncer36

    bouncer36 Thread Starter Member

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    Ok just did first 50% water change now taking a break then do another 50% water change
     
    bouncer36, Jul 12, 2012
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  11. bouncer36

    bouncer36 Thread Starter Member

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    Ok did the second 50% water change now i will 24 hours and test the water change
     
    bouncer36, Jul 12, 2012
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  12. buzz4520

    buzz4520 Well-Known Member

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    what kind of test kit are you using ? liquid or strips ? strips are not as accurate and sometimes will give a false reading. you may want to take a sample of your tank to a local fish store and see if they'll check it for you (for varifacation), your test kit could be expiried or contaminated.
    do you have city or well water ? if city water, test it for ammonia and nitrates.
     
    buzz4520, Jul 12, 2012
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  13. bouncer36

    bouncer36 Thread Starter Member

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    ok i have liquid , city water, i wish i could use the water that i take out of my dehummidfire
     
    bouncer36, Jul 12, 2012
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  14. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    are you using a good dechlorinator BEFORE adding any new water to the tank? (ie. Seachem Prime)
     
    MOD_Dawn, Jul 12, 2012
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  15. bouncer36

    bouncer36 Thread Starter Member

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    thats the kind i use the one you mention
     
    bouncer36, Jul 12, 2012
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  16. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    MOD_Dawn, Jul 12, 2012
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  17. HBIC

    HBIC Need help??? That's what we're here for :)

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    I don't think that we have asked, what is the stock and size of this tank?
     
    HBIC, Jul 12, 2012
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  18. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    assuming it's a 55g (with the stock listed in the thread)?
     
    MOD_Dawn, Jul 13, 2012
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  19. bouncer36

    bouncer36 Thread Starter Member

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    Yes that the one
     
    bouncer36, Jul 13, 2012
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  20. bouncer36

    bouncer36 Thread Starter Member

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    Well i check the ammonia and nitrate and nitrite and still high so after work today im going to petsmart and let them test my water and buying a new test kit beginning to think mine must be bad had for a couple of years then if they say it to high then i will do another water change when i get home
     
    bouncer36, Jul 13, 2012
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