GMOORE91

Over a month ago, I wrote about how my ammonia levels were off the chart. Since then I have not been able to do anything to bring them back down to acceptable levels. I have been doing water changes with RO water and even got some filter media from an established tank to perhaps help out with adding bacteria. Does anyone have any ideas on what I could do short of draining the tank and starting over agian? Just FYI all other levels in my tank are almost perfect. This Ammonia issue is driving me crazy!!!

dmm28

If you have already established media, I would just start over again. You really shouldn't have a problem like this.

Shawnie

is there ammonia in your tap ? would that be why you are using ro? is it with or without fish? are you feeding the tank anything for the ammonia source? sorry for the questions but it will help more

GMOORE91

I did have high ammonia at the tap when this problem first started thats why I have been doing the RO water changes. I have since fixed the issue with the tap water but have continued doing the RO water changes in hope of fixing the ammonia issue. I have 2 fish in the tank with no plans to add anymore. The fish get feed once a day and they eat everything within about 45 sec to 1 min.

Shawnie

if the ammonia issue is fixed, daily water changes with the tap water and some prime or stress coat+ is about the only thing to do ..unless you can find some tetra safestart to cycle the tank within 7-10 days ......otherwise, patience (wish they sold that at the stores!!)

GMOORE91

If I were to do daily water changes, what percent would you recommend?

Shawnie

daily changes are a must with fish..of at least 30-50% depending on how high the ammonia is....tetra safestart is amazing and pretty cheap $12-15 a bottle if you can find it ....

GMOORE91

I have never heard of doing daily water changes, that seems a bit excessive to me.

Shawnie

ammonia and nitrites are a killer for fish..and the way to keep them safe, is daily changes with the stress coat+ or prime , to detoxify the ammonia but still have it available for the cycle process...you can read about it here

http://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm

has any fish passed on since you had the high ammonia? do you know your nitrite and nitrate reading?

Jonah

Daily water changes when cycling with fish are essential to prevent your fish getting stressed or dieing. even if the Ammonia and/or Nitrites do not get to the lethal levels (unlikely) the fact that the toxins are there will reduce your fishes immune systems and leave them open to a whole host of other potential problems and ilnesses.

GMOORE91

I have my water tested and everything else is fine. No fish have died or even acted out of the ordinary. This problem has been going on for over a month now.

Jonah

you have your water tested? who does it for you and do you know what readings they are getting for Ammonia?

It could save you a lot of pain and frustration going forward if you got yourself a liquid test kit.

Dont get test strips they are far too inaccurate to be used as anything other than a backup to a good liquid test kit

If you had the kit you could post up the readings for Ammonia, NitrIte and NitrAte and then folks here would be able to give you advice on what if anything you need to be doing to get your tank and cycle back on track

GMOORE91

I have my water tested at my local store. Ammonia is off the chart, Nitrate 0, Nitrite between 5-10ppm, pH is 7.0, water temp 76

Jonah

What are the fish that you have in the tank? I am struggling to think of a fish that could be not only surviving but thriving in water that has off chart ammonia readings.

Don't get me wrong I am not doubting you but perhaps I am doubting the tests that the store is making or the quality of the tests that they are using.

GMOORE91

2 Oscars, I have had it tested at 2 different stores and they both get the same readings

Shawnie

even when the tank finishes its cycle, you will need at least every other day water changes with oscars..they are HUGE waste producers and you will always have ammonia in a 56 gal with 2 of them....there is an end in sight once you get through the cycle ...goodluck!

Jonah

Ahhh a light dawns, how big are the Oscars? A full grown Oscar needs a 55gal all to its self as it is a big waste producer, to have 2 even at half size in your tank is pushing the limits of the tanks ability to control.

You may have to look at rehoming or getting a bigger tank I am afraid.

http://www.fishlore.com/Profiles-Oscar.htm

GMOORE91

Thanks, not that it maters probally but I am running 2 60gal HOB filters

I have read that oscars require everything from 25 gal each up to 75 gal each, so I dont know what to beileve anymore.

haedra

I have read the other thread, and noticed you were using Ammo lock.

I only have done a little reading about that product, so I'm not saying it has anything to do with your issue. I do not have any personal experience with Ammo lock.

I have read mixed reviews about it. While many people say it won't inhibit the biological filter, I have also read the exact opposite. Just something I'm throwing out there that might be worth investigating.

Would this be a possiblity?

Shawnie

ammo lock has been formulated now so the bacteria can still get to the ammonia....it works like prime and stress coat+ but it never use too ..so im not sure on its reliability....as far as an oscar and tank size, they have a huge bioload and even when small, between the waste of food that comes out their gills when fed, and the poo, they need 55 gals for one and so on...you will always have an ammonia issue unless you up the water changes...I did it for along time with 2 in a 75 gal and to keep ammonia 0, I had to do EVERY OTHER DAY water changes of 30-50%

Jonah

I can only speak of 2nd hand experience here and reading on the subject, I will leave the discussion on tank sizes to the folks that actually own one but those I do know who have Oscars all have them in tanks of 75gal or bigger.

Running 2 hobs will certainly help with the cycle but you should be aware that recommended tank sizes are set not just for the cycle but also to provide living and swimming space for the fish. This is why the 'inch per gallon' rule does not apply to your fish

2 Oscars at 13" each is only 26" of fish but given the fishes waste output and its living requirements mean that 75gal+ would seem to be a far better option.

GMOORE91

I suppose that I will try the water change avenue to see what happens. Went and bought a test kit yesterday and tested my levels this morning and they are all the same.

Shawnie

awesome on the test kit!!! what kind did you get and what was the readings for ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates?

GMOORE91

i dont remember the name of it, got all these little bottles of stuff and vials to test the water in. Amm-still of the chart, Nitrate 0, Nitrite 10ppm, PH 7.0

Shawnie

without daily changes, and a bigger tank, you will always have a high ammonia....make sure you use the ammo lock daily with your water changes as it keeps the fish safe from ammonia poisoning for the 24 hours until your next water change...