Questions about Ammonia

[tstenback]

Agreed. how many times did i used to have to stop everything empty that little 1 gal bucket then run back get it all started again then... Becca keep us informed so we can try to figure out what is causing the ammonia. The partial cleanings and water changes may fix it over time. Its the problems like this one that i really like to keep tabs on because it is different than the normal things that go on. Keep us posted

 

[Becca]

Update:
I know, or at least I've been told my LFS, that I'm supposed to let my water be for 24 hours before doing anything else, but being that I found a lot more gunk (and a 4.5 gallon bucket which allowed me to do a more intesive job vacuuming), I *had* to test the ammonias again. It's been about 2 hours, and it seems that I'm on the mend - just tested at about 0.25, probably a little bit under. That's great considering before the water change I was pretty close to 0.50. I'll test again tomorrow night to see how things go.

 

[heresmike]

That's great progress Becca! Keep it up and your fish will be loving their clean digs!

Keep us posted.

 

[sinistral]

Some great advice has been offered in this thread so far. I think I'll put in my 2 cents because I can't help myself:

I tend to do 30-40% water changes weekly and vacuum about 50% of the gravel (most of the other gravel surface area is inaccessible). I don't believe that water changes of this scale (or even higher) have any adverse effects. In fact, I think they tend to stabilize water conditions, as this ensures that the condition of your tank water is closer to the condition of your tap water. Anyways, it sounds like your ammonia levels are heading in the right direction, so I wouldn't change what isn't broke...

Glad to hear you got a 5 gallon bucket! Although, if you have an extra $25US lying around you can order a python from here. I have a 29 gallon tank and the python saves me a lot of time and effort (although I do experience the occasional twinge of guilt about all that water going down the drain).

 

[tstenback]

sinistral Posted on Apr 27 2004, 09:38 AM
although I do experience the occasional twinge of guilt about all that water going down the drain).

How painful is the twinge

 

[Becca]

Niiiiiiice. I'll definitely be picking up one of those pythons! Thanks!!

 

[sinistral]

sinistral Posted on Apr 27 2004, 09:38 AM 
although I do experience the occasional twinge of guilt about all that water going down the drain).

How painful is the twinge

Not painful enough to overcome my laziness!!!! (hey, it takes a lot of effort to schlep back and forth with 5 gallons of water!)

 

[tstenback]

Agreed. I am even too lazy to carry it upstairs i have one on each floor

 

[Becca]

I still haven't had a chance to buy a nitrite, nitrate and PH test kits yet...an i couldn't tell if my ammonia was at 0.25 or 0.50, so I took it up to the store - everything came in in their "Safe" zone, ammonia is at 0.25, but still good. I'm debating about doing another water change or just saving it for tomorrow night. (Really tired and a 3 hours class in about 10 minutes.)

 

[sinistral]

If you can't do it, you can't do it! 0.25 isn't too bad. I've reviewed this thread and am wondering: has anybody discussed the goldfish with you? I don't know much about them but they tend to be very messy for their size. The rule of thumb tends to be 1" per 10 gallons for them (as opposed to the 1" per gallon for regular tropical fish). I wonder if they might be part of the increased levels of ammonia you're experiencing...

 

[Becca]

could be. If that's the case, I haven't even really had them a week, and I know I've said this before, just too tired to remember where - if I woulda known these were goldfish, they woulda stayed at the store, LOL.

Thank Goodness class let out early. I do have a huge program due Thursday evening, but i need sleep. I'm about to pass out!

 

[MadCow]

If you are interested in buying a Python. I bought mine at the local WalMart for 29.99 for the 25' one. Little more expensive than online, until you add the shipping. But you don't have to wait for it to arrive and believe me you don't want to wait for it to arrive. I bought one a couple of weeks ago and love it. I don't know how I ever managed without it.