cant figure out...

[mynamzmudd]

my G/F has a 29 gallon tank that we can not get the ammonia under control no matter what we do. On our test kit it came back at 1.5. So I did about a 30% water change and cleaned the gravel. retested about an hr later and the ammonia is still 1.5. This tank will be the death of me. Any suggestion's or reason's behind this?

[jackson17]

Are there fish in it? Fishless cycle? Did you cycle it at all?

[mynamzmudd]

yes there are fish in it. The tank has been up and running now for about 5 week's. It was a "fish in" cycle. but not over crowded/over stocked.

[jackson17]

Try doing a large water change...like 50-75 percent, then re-test after. If you can, apparently people have had great results with tetra safe start, pick up a bottle of that. I will be tomorrow haha

[mynamzmudd]

i have been using top fin tap water conditioner, top fin ammonia remover along with frequent water changes.

[MonkeyPox]

What kind of filter and biological media are you using?

[mynamzmudd]

marineland biowheel filter.

[jackson17]

Forgot to ask that. lol Good catch monkey, and the tetra safe start is a bacteria in a bottle that a couple people on the forum have had cycled tanks in under a week with. Give it a try, can't really hurt.

[mynamzmudd]

Been using the top fin bacteria in a bottle.

[MonkeyPox]

Forgot to ask that. lol Good catch monkey, and the tetra safe start is a bacteria in a bottle that a couple people on the forum have had cycled tanks in under a week with. Give it a try, can't really hurt.

Seachem Stability works well also.

What is your water temp? What kind of testing equipment are you using?

[mynamzmudd]

water temp is 80 degrees and the test kit is tetra. not the strips.

[rich311k]

Test your tap water before and after adding dechlor to it.

[mynamzmudd]

ok. will do. thank you.

[Sharon]

You may be getting inaccurate results as you are using "ammonia remover"...

[mynamzmudd]

but would that not make the ammonia level lower on the test? I would not think it's making the reading higher.

[robflanker]

no because the tests test for a slight variation of ammonia i believe, which is what ammonia-reducer spikes because it binds to the ammonia and raises this level up high...(its also why very few people use them cos there is no way of knowing what your true ammonia is)

so i take it that was a yes then

and an excellent catch Sharon!

[Sharon]

Ammonia removers don't actually remove Ammonia. Instead, the Ammonia is converted into Ammonium, which is less harmful. It will still register on your tests....:ssmile:

[mynamzmudd]

I've been using the ammonia remover.

[MonkeyPox]

Ammonia removers don't actually remove Ammonia. Instead, the Ammonia is converted into Ammonium, which is less harmful. It will still register on your tests....:ssmile:

that depends on the test and what ammonia remover.

[Sharon]

Yes, I suppose it does...Maybe I should have prefaced my response with Based on what you are describing, I would suggest that....