Ammonia Question

[wammer]

Hello,

I've had my tank going for about 6 weeks now. I've had 3 fish in the tank for about 5 weeks now. I have a biofiber filter attached to the 10 gallon tank.

My problem is that every 3 or 4 days I have to put an ammonia reducing "Tank Buddy" tablet to reduce the ammonia. I have an in tank ammonia meter and test strips. There is no gravel in the tank as I've read that gravel can be bad. I keep the excess uneaten food cleaned out as much as possible. I also have used the "Cycle" product which is suppossed to contain beneficial bacteria to remove ammonia and nitrates. I also do a 20% water change every 2 weeks.

The 3 tetra's in the tank are the only fish i've had and they seem to be really healthy and I've not lost any fish yet.

Why does the ammonia levels keep going up? Shouldn't the biofiber filter contain bacteria to reduce the ammonia?

Thanks,

Wes

[jeffs99dime]

first off, welcome to a.c. second, your water changes should be done EVERY WEEK. i would conduct atleast a 50% water change every week. also, get rid of the test strips, they are not very accurate at all. get a liquid test kit that tests for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and ph. ammonia and nitrite are the two most toxic to fish, they should both remain at zero once the cycle is complete. that "cycle" that you put in the tank doesn't do much of anything to provide bacteria. you could however get "biospira" biospira does work because it's kept refrigerated allowing the bacteria to live in the package for extended amounts of time.
my advice to you would be to read the "free aquarium e-book" located on the left side menu of this forum. the information in it should answer your questions.--jeff

[nraposa]

feed your fish a little less if you have to clean up uneaten food your over feeding which contributes to high ammonia.

Gravel is also important it gives the good bacteria building up in your tank a place to settle so they can do their job of getting rid of the ammonia

[cocoa_pleco]

yes. feed very little and I have found that canister filters clear up cloudy water fast. My tank, when cycling, was so dirty you couldn't see Through it at all, literally. I bought a canister filter, and in 8 hours, crystal water.
The good bacteria need gravel as their home. As the waste builds up, the bacteria multiply to keep up with the waste. This process takes time, but with lava rock and ceramic rings, the bacteria come often 10X quicker. :1:

[Ascendant]

Yes, it is extremely important to have gravel.
At least 2 inches of gravel all around the base of the tank is necessary to ensure the build up of beneficial bacterias that breakdown chemical wastes produced by the fish.

Fish produce ammonia which then produces nitrites, these are toxic chemicals that can potentially kill your fish if the levels are to high, the bacterias that break them down live in a few places;
Gravel and bio-filters as far as I know.

[Sin]

you must remember if you had a high level of ammonia and if you happen to use ammonia detoxer several days before to remedy the problem......and now you were to use biospira because you still see high levels of ammonia , becarefull...certain ammonia detoxers will kill off the benificial bacteria thats alive in biospira and render it useless

[jeffs99dime]

you must remember if you had a high level of ammonia and if you happen to use ammonia detoxer several days before to remedy the problem......and now you were to use biospira because you still see high levels of ammonia , becarefull...certain ammonia detoxers will kill off the benificial bacteria thats alive in biospira and render it useless

ammonia detoxifier doesn't solve the problem to let you know. it will only "fix" it temporarily

[Lady Hobbs]

You need gravel. That's where the bacteria grows and lives that eats up the ammonia and nitrites. You will get some on your filter media but without the gravel, every bit of that cycle will be lost as soon as you change the filter media.

For instance, I just moved my aquariums. Everything needs to come out of a tank when you move it. I replaced the decorations in the tank, the gravel I had taken out and filled the tanks with clean water. No set- back whatsoever as all that needed bacteria is right there in that gravel.

[kimmers318]

I believe also that those products that detoxify ammonia do just that...make it so it isn't toxic, but you will still get ammonia reads because it is still there. There is no magic way to get rid of ammonia. Stop using it, and let your tank cycle using the water changes to keep things in check.

[Cichlid_Man]

You have got some super advice here Wammer!

I am just here to welcome you and let you know to follow the instructions from the others who have posted.

Weekly water changes, maybe even 2 times a week until the cycle completes.
Get gravel
Get a new test kit, no strips
Don't use ammo chips or any other ammonia reducer.
It only "fools" the test kit into not being able to read ammonia.

[NorthernBoy]

My advice is to stop all water changes at least until you tank has cycled. I think you said you tank is only 6 weeks old but only had fish for 5 weeks. Well the reason ammonia is rising is because your tank is not cycled yet. Stop water changes, stop detoxifier, and allow you tank to cycle. What are your Nitrite and Nitrate readings. As far as gravel, it does help the tank maintain a healthy bacteria level although it is not necessary if you don't want it. Many breeders choose not to have gravel in thier tanks. It is not, I repeat not necessary. Post your current ammonia, nitrate, and nitrate readings. If all you have is test strips that is fine. For the average aquarist they are fine to use. Although when you run out I suggest looking for a test kit. I prefer Red Sea test kits myself.