Can't get rid of ammonia

[fantails]

Hi. I have a 40 g breeder tank. I have 2 Ranchus, 1 Lionhead and 1 fantail. All my fish are under 2.5 inches
I have 3 Aqua Clear filters running total 550 gph, I have 2 sponge filters, I have about 25 river rocks and no gravel. I am bare bottom.

My question is why does my ammonia keep coming back. I do not over feed. I feed my fish individually so my bottom of my tank is clean.

Thanks Michael

[Dave66]

Welcome to the forum, Michael. The reason you're seeing Ammonia is the Nitrifying bacteria haven't become numerous enough to deal with the Ammonia generated by the fishes. As Nitrifying bacteria take roughly two weeks to double in numbers, it can take a month to six weeks for the bacteria to be in such numbers to process (oxidize) the Ammonia generated by the fishes.

I do hope the goldfish haven't been damaged by the Ammonia, as it tends to burn the lining of their gills, making it difficult for the fishes to breath.

Dave

[Xavier]

A- Do you use a water conditioner that removes chlorine? (example: Prime by Seachem)

B- Did you add any beneficial bacteria? (Example: Stability by Seachem)

[Lady Hobbs]

Cleaning too much will also remove bacteria causing ammonia spikes. Make sure you are just rinsing out your filter sponges in old tank water that has been treated with dechlorinator or in a bucket that has had dechlorinator added. Chlorine right from the tap will kill the good bacteria you need to keep your cycle.

[fantails]

A- Do you use a water conditioner that removes chlorine? (example: Prime by Seachem)

B- Did you add any beneficial bacteria? (Example: Stability by Seachem)

I use prime and I did not add any beneficial bacteria. The only thing that I clean is the brown algae.
I don't rinse my sponge filters they only get slimy no poop on them. The only thing that I rinse in tank water would be the sponges in my aqua Clears
Thanks

[mermaidwannabe]

I would suggest that you add some of Seachem's Stability to the biomax in your AquaClears. Also add it to the tank when you do water changes.

How often do you change your water, and how much of it? If your tank is still cycling, you'll need to do frequent, almost daily water changes of at least 25%. Be sure to dechlorinate any new water you add, and also add the Stability according to directions on the label.

Stability is a very effective product. I've been using it in my new AC50, and in my tank when I change the water. Thus far, I've only had a tiny ammonia/nitrite spike which happened right in the beginning after I removed my UGF, but now has stabilized.

I had good parameters this morning when I tested.

You'll know your tank has cycled when your ammonia falls to 0 and stays there, your nitrites fall to 0 and stay there, and your nitrates fall to 0. They won't stay there, though, and it's okay if they climb a little, just don't let them rise past 40 ppm, absolute maximum, and for best results, try to keep them at 20 or below.

Best of success to you.

-- mermaidwannabe

[Honey Badger 1]

unless your tank is heavily planted, once you start to register nitrates the level doesn't fall. the best way to lower nitrates is water changes.

how long has the tank been set up? how long have fish been in the tank? did you cycle it and lose the cycle or has it never fully cycled?
you say the only thing you clean is the filter sponge, how often and how thoroughly?
can you give the exact numbers from the test results for ammonia, nitrites and nitrates?

[fantails]

Thanks for the advice. I had 3 Aqua clears on my tank at 550 gph so what I did I use all the old media from the AC 50 & 30 and added a AC 70 and added 3 more bags of media so that I have more. I have a 40 breeder tank. Now I have 1 70 and 1 50 and plan on changinf the other 50 to a 70 later.

My tank has been running for 1 1/2years but my tank is very sensative so I thought maybe if I add a little more media that it might help.

I change my water weekly I change from 25% to 50%. I have a bare bottom tank.

My nitrate never goes over 10 ppm. I use API drop tests.

Thanks Michael

[fantails]

I really never rinse the sponge filters. The only thing that I bang is the sponges in my Aqua Clears. I don't rinse them I just bang them.

My ammonia now is almost gone there is more yellow showing than green, Nitrites are 0, Nitrate is close to 10, PH is 7.6, KH is about 7 - 8 and GH is 8

[Honey Badger 1]

have you tested your tap water for ammonia. and when do you test the tank water, before or after changing out water? if after how long after?

sorry for all the questions but you are new here and we are unfamiliar with your tanks and maintenance. hello and welcome to AC!