Ammonia Spike

[d0tehdew]

Hello all...

i completed a week of fish-in cycle on Friday. The ammonia levels were 0 - .25ppm and the nitrites were 0.. while we had a good level of nitrates.

I have some angelfish and wanted to see some good growth out of them so I started feeding twice a day for a little bit.. yesterday I checked my tank and ammonia shot up to 1 while nitrites stayed at 0.. I did a 50% water change and about 24 hours later the ammonia is still at 1.0 I'm going to do another water change here shortly and I've stopped feeding my fish im going to go on either a once every 3 days and then skip a day. Or should I feed less to bring the ammonia back down to its appropriate level?

 

[arobinson1984]

I would feed every other day for the time being.

A fish-in cycle normally lasts 4-6 weeks so an ammonia spike like you have had is normal, you will have to do large water changes to keep the levels below 0.25ppm

The spike may be slightly due to feeding twice a day, do you do gravel vacs? If not you will need a gravel vac as bits of food will fall and get mixed into your substrate, rot and cause ammonia.

Andy

Edit: What size is the tank?

 

[jmkgreen]

Sorry there is no way that tank is ready for Angelfish.

You say you saw no nitrites during the week - therefore you have little or none of the necessary bacteria to process the second stage of waste. The nitrates are of no significance here.

There is little you can do but try to alleviate the stress the fish are suffering from. You can try and hand the fish back to the shop, or ask someone else with a mature tank to host them for you temporarily. If no other options are available you will need to feed sparingly and perform at least one significant water change per day.

Remember, each time you replace water you will also be removing the very waste that the bacteria must consume to develop. You may find this necessary for up to a month.

I wish you well in your situation.

 

[d0tehdew]

I would feed every other day for the time being.

A fish-in cycle normally lasts 4-6 weeks so an ammonia spike like you have had is normal, you will have to do large water changes to keep the levels below 0.25ppm

The spike may be slightly due to feeding twice a day, do you do gravel vacs? If not you will need a gravel vac as bits of food will fall and get mixed into your substrate, rot and cause ammonia.

Andy

Edit: What size is the tank?

The tank size us 47gal column (18x20x30).
has 2 angelfish 3 phantom tetra and 1 rainbow shark.

I do not have a gravel vac currently just the substrate flter that is currently in their. i'll need to purchase one. I do notice a lot of the flake at the bottom! I did not know that this will rot and cause ammonia thanks for the information.

 

[d0tehdew]

Sorry there is no way that tank is ready for Angelfish.

I was told angelfish are a hardy fish are they not? Also I've talked to about 2 or 3 people who have angelfish and each said that cycling with these fish is an acceptable solution to a fishless cycle.

 

[jmkgreen]

The minimum tank size for that Rainbow shark alone is 55 gallons. And your tank is a column? I would re-think your stocking if I were you if only to prevent against any further disaster.

 

[jmkgreen]

Zebra Danios are hardy. Angelfish are also hardy, but no-where near as much.

 

[d0tehdew]

Yes the rainbow shark is small as of now and seems to enjoy the tank.. i will be relocating to a large tank that im purchasing next month that'll have proper space for it to do its thang.

 

[jmkgreen]

Excellent - just do not forget the fishless cycle for the larger tank - it is worth the wait!

Please consider the comments regarding your current predicament however - stressed fish are at high risk of disease and indeed death.

 

[arobinson1984]

Agree with JMK here, the best possible solution for your predicament would be to rehome the fish and switch to a fishless cycle, if you can't / won't rehome the fish then you are going to have to do large water changes to keep the levels down but the levels wont drop dramtically whilstever there is rotting food and waste in your substrate. Gravel vacs are essential so make it a priority that you get one, I'd almost guarantee that with a large water change and a good deep gravel clean you will see your ammonia level drop right down then it is a matter of keeping it down with water changes.

You need to keep your levels of ammonia and nitrite down below 0.25ppm. Although your cycle needs ammonia to develop the beneficial bacteria, only trace amounts of ammonia are required, amounts so small that they arent detectable by test kits so always aim to lower your ammonia to 0 if possible

Andy