Aqueon ammonia neutralizer

[Byron]

Any ideas as to what is causing the spike?, I did watch my angel swim towards the bottom of the tank and her gills were red and irritated, once I turned the filter back on she perked up and seems to be okay.
I am worried that the ammonia is killing the three that survived.

This is not easy to answer. First, if this is the ammonia spike (I assume), what are the test numbers for ammonia in the tank water? And what is the pH now (of the tank water)? Also, test the tap water on its own for ammonia jut to be certain.

Do you have any live plants in the tank?

There are other issues here that may well be part of the fish deaths. But let's deal with issues one at a time.

Will adding drift wood help at all?

No, so far as water chemistry is concerned.

 

[Tdiggy74]

This is not easy to answer. First, if this is the ammonia spike (I assume), what are the test numbers for ammonia in the tank water? And what is the pH now (of the tank water)? Also, test the tap water on its own for ammonia jut to be certain.

Do you have any live plants in the tank?

There are other issues here that may well be part of the fish deaths. But let's deal with issues one at a time.



No, so far as water chemistry is concerned.

My tap water is fine,

 

[Byron]

My tap water is fine,

Sorry, I don't know what these colours mean without the colour card from the test kit beside them. And don't forget the pH of the tank water.

 

[Tdiggy74]

Tap water Ph seems okay

 

[Byron]

It is the pH of the tank water that is crucial here, as it affects the ammonia or ammonium issue.

If the tap water ammonia is zero, then it is within the tank. My assumption that after two years cycling would not be likely may be mistaken though...have you done anything to kill off bacteria? Have you been doing regular water changes for the two years, by regular meaning every week and 50% or so of the tank volume? Rinsing the filter media? Vacuuming the substrate at each water change?

The only way to resolve this is to do the water changes daily, and find the cause so it can be corrected. That's why I and other members will need all this information.

 

[Tdiggy74]

I have been doing weekly or bi weekly water changes. I usually change my filter cartridges once a month. When I do my changes, I do vacuum the substrate. I also do the filter media once a month. The only thing different was adding API PH +

 

[Tdiggy74]

Never use any chemical substance or additive that is aimed at adjusting the pH. This can be deadly to fish. The pH is part of the GH (general hardness) and KH (carbonate hardness or Alkalinity) of the water, and depending what the GH and KH level is, adjusting the pH is likely to be impossible permanently. Fluctuating pH is far worse on fish than a stable pH eveen ifd it is outside the preferred range for the species.

To explain the ammonia spike...as I just wrote in my previous post, ammonia in acidic water is harmless in the form ammonium; in basic water (pH above 7.0) it is toxic ammonia. If ammonia/ammonium is present in the water at a pH of 6 it is harmless. But if the pH should be raised somehow to be above 7.0 the ammonium changes into toxic ammonia. This was likely the reasoning behind whatever you read. Another reason never to mess with pH.

I did a 75/80 % water change, cleaned off the ornaments. Checked my ammonia levels as I filled the tank. Hopefully this is a good color. I can't tell anymore.
Thanks
Tdiggy

 

[Rocky998]

I did a 75/80 % water change, cleaned off the ornaments. Checked my ammonia levels as I filled the tank. Hopefully this is a good color. I can't tell anymore.
Thanks
Tdiggy

Seems to be ok but we need a white background on them... it does still look a bit green

 

[Tdiggy74]

Seems to be ok but we need a white background on them... it does still look a bit green

 

[Rocky998]

thats at about 0.25-0.50... still pretty toxic

 

[Tdiggy74]

thats at about 0.25-0.50... still pretty toxic

I don't know what else to do.Do you think It requires a removal of some of the gravel and replace it with new?

Tdiggy

 

[Rocky998]

I don't know what else to do.Do you think It requires a removal of some of the gravel and replace it with new?

Tdiggy

I would do another 50% water change... I know you just did one but at least the ammonia will be lower

 

[Byron]

I don't know what else to do.Do you think It requires a removal of some of the gravel and replace it with new?

Tdiggy

Without evidence the gravel is causing the ammonia, this would not benefit. Assuming you do dig into the gravel during water changes, this would remove much of the organic matter which as it decomposes does create ammonia and CO2. But that brings up another issue...what is the substrate material? Is it inert gravel, or calcareous gravel, or a plant gravel?

And yes, the more water changes the better, change 70% of the tank at each to get this ammonia down. Assuming the test is accurate.

 

[Tdiggy74]

Without evidence the gravel is causing the ammonia, this would not benefit. Assuming you do dig into the gravel during water changes, this would remove much of the organic matter which as it decomposes does create ammonia and CO2. But that brings up another issue...what is the substrate material? Is it inert gravel, or calcareous gravel, or a plant gravel?

And yes, the more water changes the better, change 70% of the tank at each to get this ammonia down. Assuming the test is accurate.

I am not sure about the substrate, I know it isn't plant gravel. I purchased it when I set up the tank two years ago. I also changed my filter cartridges.

 

[Tdiggy74]

What do you think of the water now?