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Ammonia

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

  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.
     
  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
     
  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?
     
  4. bouncer36

    bouncer36 Thread Starter Member

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    Ph level 7.0 ammonia is 4.0,nitrate 5.0, nitrite 0.25
     
  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.
     
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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.
     
  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
     
  8. bouncer36

    bouncer36 Thread Starter Member

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    It does have life plants it 6 of them
     
  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 ?
     
  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
     
  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
     
  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.
     
  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
     
  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)
     
  15. bouncer36

    bouncer36 Thread Starter Member

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    thats the kind i use the one you mention
     
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  16. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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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?
     
  18. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    assuming it's a 55g (with the stock listed in the thread)?
     
  19. bouncer36

    bouncer36 Thread Starter Member

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    Yes that the one
     
  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