Ammonia detected after water change

[blairsmith]

Hey all,
I have an established aquarium, I did a 25% water change yesterday and it spiked the ammonia to around .25. I have tested my tap water regularly and never detected ammonia before yesterday. After the spike I re-tested my tap water and there is absolutely ammonia in the water now. it was a dumb mistake, I should have tested again before the water change. I have used Prime to help with the ammonia, it is still detected but the fish are looking OK again. Any recommendations what I can do for the immediate issue and on how I can treat my water prior to a water change going forward? I am considering building a reservoir under my stand that can hold 50+ gallon of treated water ready for water changes.

 

[Slaphppy7]

What kind of test kit are you using?

 

[blairsmith]

What kind of test kit are you using?

I have API Freshwater Master as well as Seneye. these results are from the API kit

 

[Slaphppy7]

As long as you are dosing the proper amount of Prime during each water change (1 ml/10 USG), your fish will be fine...the Prime will convert harmful ammonia into harmless ammonium, but your test kit doesn't recognize the difference between the two, so you will get a positive reading for ammonia after a WC, every time...how long has the tank been set up?...tank size?...stocking?

 

[blairsmith]

As long as you are dosing the proper amount of Prime during each water change (1 ml/10 USG), your fish will be fine...the Prime will convert harmful ammonia into harmless ammonium, but your test kit doesn't recognize the difference between the two, so you will get a positive reading for ammonia after a WC, every time...how long has the tank been set up?...tank size?...stocking?

tank has been up almost 2 years. 120 gallon 5 Angel fish and 4 Blue Rainbow fish

 

[Fishmanic]

are you changing our the filter media or are you cleaning it in tank water every several weeks?

 

[Slaphppy7]

tank has been up almost 2 years. 120 gallon 5 Angel fish and 4 Blue Rainbow fish

So, 12 ml of Prime if you are using a siphon to empty/fill during WCs.
If using buckets, treat per the bucket amount. (I can't imagine using buckets for a big tank like that, though, lol).

My tap water actually tests for around 1 ppm(!) of ammonia...but with Prime (or API Tap Water Conditioner), I don't fret over using it for WCs...

 

[blairsmith]

So, 12 ml of Prime if you are using a siphon to empty/fill during WCs.
If using buckets, treat per the bucket amount. (I can't imagine using buckets for a big tank like that, though, lol).

My tap water actually tests for around 1 ppm(!) of ammonia...but with Prime (or API Tap Water Conditioner), I don't fret over using it for WCs...

Thank you very much! part of the reason I've been considering building a reservoir is because I do currently fill with buckets. it's horrible LOL I want to build a top off setup but it would just be used for water changes. have a tank/tub below at the ready to pump the water is after a change.

 

[blairsmith]

are you changing our the filter media or are you cleaning it in tank water every several weeks?

I do weekly water changes and rinse the media in the water from the water change once a month.

 

[Slaphppy7]

I find that Prime product useless.

I retest when I see a surprising result.

I’d do a 75% water change. I’ve done two somedays.

"I find that Prime product useless."

In what way?

 

[Slaphppy7]

Thank you very much! part of the reason I've been considering building a reservoir is because I do currently fill with buckets. it's horrible LOL I want to build a top off setup but it would just be used for water changes. have a tank/tub below at the ready to pump the water is after a change.

More than welcome...if you have a sink nearby with the correct type of faucet (removable aerator), I'd seriously consider getting one of these...they come in different hose lengths, as you can see

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000255NXC/?tag=ff0d01-20

 

[Fishmanic]

Do a fish count...are any fish missing. Otherwise I would suspect the test kit as possibly being slightly inaccurate. Be sure to shake the reagent bottles thorougly before using.
If no fish missing and tank was previously cycled, I wouldnt worry too much. Just be sure you are not overfeeding the fish.

 

[Slaphppy7]

Do a fish count...are any fish missing. Otherwise I would suspect the test kit as possibly being slightly inaccurate. Be sure to shake the reagent bottles thorougly before using.
If no fish missing and tank was previously cycled, I wouldnt worry too much. Just be sure you are not overfeeding the fish.

The OP previously tested their tap for ammonia traces, none detected...then recently, re-tested, and detected ammonia

 

[Slaphppy7]

It did not lower ammonia levels when used as instructed

It isn't designed to "lower" ammonia levels; it's purpose is to render ammonia harmless, for a given amount of time, until the BB colony in our established tanks can do their job of consuming ammonia

 

[Slaphppy7]

Would this affect API tests

Would this affect API tests?

See post #4 above...