Ammonia

[AmberC]

My tank is not very old yet and the biological filter has not kicked in yet. My ammonia levels are about .50-1.0 so to keep it down I am doing a water change every other day, but its staying the same every time I test (which has been every day.) Do I need to do anything else. Is there any way to speed up the biological filter? TIA!

pH is 7.2 (which is what it was yesterday too)
nitrite 0ppm
nitrate 0ppm

 

[NeilP]

Hi Amber C,

Can you tell us a bit more about your tank

1) How old is it (when did you start cycling)
2) How are you cycling the tank (fish or fishless)
3) If fishless, where does the ammonia come
4) How big is your tank.

Thanks

 

[Sye]

Have you added fish yet?

You could add some gravel or some filter media from a well established tank to help it along other wise keep it warm and the water well oxygenated, maybe add a pump.

 

[thecichlidaddict]

You could add some gravel or some filter media from a well established tank to help it along other wise keep it warm and the water well oxygenated, maybe add a pump.

Everything mentioned here is a great idea. gravel filter media will introduce bacteria in your tank, giving it a big head start. Put them in your filter if you can for the best result. Bacteria multiplies at a faster rate at warmer temps, so warming the water to mid 80's, if you have fish that can handle it, is a great idea. Oxygen is needed by the bacteria, so that is a given. The warmer the water, the less oxygen gets absorbed, so the pump and temp. increase go hand in hand.

 

[AmberC]

The tank is about a week and a half old now.
I have fish...
its a 20 gallon tank

I did some reading and read that stress zyme will add the bacteria so I have done a first dose of that. Hopefully that will help. Any other recommendations? (or info needed to give advice?)

My tank is at about 76-80

 

[bogusmove]

Alot of people say that stress zyme, cycle and products like it are useless for establishing your biological filter, and certainly my own experience (I used stress zyme) would suggest to me that this is true. I'm no expert but I think the bacteria in these products is basically different to the bacteria that will ultimately colonize your filter and make your environment viable.

I'm not sure if that means the product is worthless though, as alot of products seem to have a number of purposes, such as chlorination, making ammonia safe, etc. Someone much more experienced than I would have to comment really...

Gravel or filter medium from an established tank will of course have all the right bacteria.