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View Full Version : Ammonia Attack!


Swimminq
01-25-06, 04:55 PM 01-25-06
I received a 47 gallon freshwater aquarium set up 2 months ago. Since then, I have 2 mollies, 2 swordtails, 2 platys, 2 albino cory catfish, 1 female betta, and 1 gourami .. along with 1 molly and 1 gourami that left us :[ For a week after I bought each fish (added 2 or 3 at a time) the tank was fine, I thought all would be good. I added fish per recommendation by my LPS helper ...
The last 2 weeks, my ammonia levels have shot up. I added live plants, through the advice of my LPS and it did nothing for me :[ I was also told to do 10% water changes per day to dilute the ammonia in the tank until things cleared up. Nothing has happened - in fact, the ammonia has essentially gotten worse I believe. Last night, my dad went to the LPS and they told him to vacuum the bottom of the aquarium - I did, and followed their specific instructions on how to do (and almost went swimming, too!) but it did nothing for me :/
I have an ammonia reader inside the aquarium, and it reads 1 ppm/ml, but when I test the water with my water tests it reads 8 ppm/ml!

Please tell me how to fix the high ammonia problem in my tank, and whatever expense (except the expense of the fish that I fear are in jeopardy either way) ... money & time are really no object at this point - Tell me HOW to get rid of my problem, and ASAP! I hate seeing htem like this - and I hate knowing that they're suffering slowly :/

Sorry if this is located somewhere else on the forum. I did a quick search, but came up with nothing :[

Shrelana
01-25-06, 05:05 PM 01-25-06
Maybe a 20 to 30% change per day with gravel vacing every day? I had problems similar to you for about 3 months (mine just would NOT go down). I dunno other than that, I actually end up taking out the water for my change while I'm doing the gravel vac, and I just keep my vac in one place till it starts taking up clear water (like doing a really picky vaccum on carpet)....I hope this helps and that ur fishies make it.....Also wait for other responses....Mr. Gerbil, Nell, and quite a few others have been doing this longer than me....so maybe they can help too?

Shrelana
01-25-06, 05:06 PM 01-25-06
btw, welcome to petshub! :)

Swimminq
01-25-06, 05:30 PM 01-25-06
Would you recommend the use of API's Ammo-Lock? I use API's Stress Coat, Stress Zyme, and Tap Water Conditioner (along with Aquarium Salt) ...

Shrelana
01-25-06, 05:34 PM 01-25-06
I honestly don't know anything about those, I thoguht about using them and was advised not to, so I never did....sorry couldn't help you on that one, but maybe some of the others can :)

shev
01-25-06, 07:54 PM 01-25-06
Test your water from your tap for ammonia. Sometimes water companies add chloramine instead of chlorine. Water conditioner breaks down chloramine into chlorine and ammonia. this may give false readings...


Take water in from your tank to get tested at your LPS.

Have you added any new fish lately? done a VERY large tank cleaning? let the filter dry out? temperature changes or drastic change in water parameters such as ph or salinity? is anything decaying in your tank? plants, fish, snails, food?


has there been a nitrite spike afterward? aquarium salt will minimize the effects of nitrites. Dont add salt though, cories do not do well with added salt.

mr gerbil
01-26-06, 02:31 AM 01-26-06
v. quickly (in a big rush, sorry), do large waer changes, about 25%, twice a day. Don't use ammo-lock or anything similar, they tend to do miore harm than good.
Have you got a spare tank they can go in?