So Confused - Established Tank With Ammonia Spike

[Jnyftb]

Established tank. All of a sudden within the last week there's been an ammonia spike. I've been doing 30% water changes every day. I checked the filter and every inch of his tank and there is nothing decaying. He has nitrates so cycle couldn't have crashed. I have always used Tetra products for conditioning and water treatment but I used seachem prime today instead for the ammonia protection. His breathing is a little labored. I am completely scratching my head
PH 7.6
Ammonia between 0.25 and 0.50
Nitrites 0
Nitrates 5.0
Water temp 78
5.5 gallon established tank

Any Ideas??

 

[SM1199]

Have you tested your tap water for ammonia? Sometimes that can be the issue, especially when it doesn't go down with water changes.

 

[Jnyftb]

Have you tested your tap water for ammonia? Sometimes that can be the issue, especially when it doesn't go down with water changes.

I have 3 other tanks and their ammonia levels are all at 0

 

[SM1199]

I have 3 other tanks and their ammonia levels are all at 0

That would make sense if you haven't been doing as many water changes on them, though. Can you test your tap water specifically, with no other water, for ammonia and report back to us?

 

[Jnyftb]

That would make sense if you haven't been doing as many water changes on them, though. Can you test your tap water specifically, with no other water, for ammonia and report back to us?

Holy cow. I just checked. Yes there is ammonia in my tap water. What do I do??

 

[SM1199]

Holy cow. I just checked. Yes there is ammonia in my tap water. What do I do?? View attachment 523379

Make sure to do small water changes rather than large ones, and that may mean doing them slightly more often. Always treat your water-change water with prime to "lock" ammonia so that the filter can convert it to nitrite -> nitrate and the fish aren't harmed.

 

[Jnyftb]

Make sure to do small water changes rather than large ones, and that may mean doing them slightly more often. Always treat your water-change water with prime to "lock" ammonia so that the filter can convert it to nitrite -> nitrate and the fish aren't harmed.

Should I do 20% water changes twice a day. Been doing 30% once every day?

I just changed 2 of my tanks water today also. Should I do another water change or can I add the prime right to the already clean tank?

All of my tanks with an exception of 1 has ammonia levels of 1.0. Prime has been added to each tank. The one tank is at about a 0.25 ammonia level. I haven't gotten to his tank yet to clean and put the ammonia filled tap water in... Should I still clean his water? Or can I just add prime to his tank as is and let him be?

 

[grump299]

You will be fine doing 20-30%water changes every week you just need to start to use prime and dose the whole tank volume that will detoxifie ammonia for 24 hrs with that small amount your cycle will take care of it within 24 hrs.

 

[Jnyftb]

You will be fine doing 20-30%water changes every week you just need to start to use prime and dose the whole tank volume that will detoxifie ammonia for 24 hrs with that small amount your cycle will take care of it within 24 hrs.

I added 1 ml to each tank two 5.5 gallons and two 10 gallons. I was told doubling up won't harm the fish. However one of the tanks I had already cleaned with the tetra product and then after the discovery of Anmonia added prime to the tank. Is that ok or should I have done another partial water change

 

[grump299]

No you will be fine just start to use prime with your water changes IMO it s the better for conditioners.

 

[Jnyftb]

No you will be fine just start to use prime with your water changes IMO it s the better for conditioners.

I thought the ammonia issue was just in one tank and was doing 30% water changes daily. I was making the problem worse unknowingly. So should I just sit back and wait a week and check again then... Or check daily? And when ammonia turns into ammonium. The test tube will still show green. Is there a way to tell if the tank is eating up the ammonia like it's supposed to? Or do I just go by watching the health of my fish?

Sorry for so many questions. Just worried about the health of my fin kids.

 

[grump299]

I would test again tomorrow the cycle should have taken care of the ammonia and you should be reading 0 if your cycle is good.. if not reading o ammonia dose again. Test and dose everyday until you get a reading of 0 in 24 and it stays that way for a couple of day.

Don’t worry about all the questions you learn by asking. The only stupid question is the one you don't ask.

 

[Jnyftb]

I would test again tomorrow the cycle should have taken care of the ammonia and you should be reading 0 if your cycle is good.. if not reading o ammonia dose again. Test and dose everyday until you get a reading of 0 in 24 and it stays that way for a couple of day.

Don’t worry about all the questions you learn by asking. The only stupid question is the one you don't ask.

Thank you!
If the ammonia is not 0 tomorrow... When you say "dose again" do I do water change and dose again or just dose the tank (as is)

 

[Momgoose56]

How much ammonia is in your tap water? You never said.

 

[Jnyftb]

How much ammonia is in your tap water? You never said.

1.0

 

[Momgoose56]

Thank you!
If the ammonia is not 0 tomorrow... When you say "dose again" do I do water change and dose again or just dose the tank (as is)

Just follow the directions on the Prime bottle. No water change.

 

[Jnyftb]

Just follow the directions on the Prime bottle. No water change.

Thank you!

 

[mattgirl]

Thank you!

You have gotten some very good recommendations and have learned a very valuable lesson. Anytime something happens that really shouldn't be happening in ones tank it is always a good idea to test the source water. Source water can change from time to time. I am really glad you found the source of the ammonia reading and now know what to do about it.

A fully cycled tank should process that amount of ammonia within 24 hours and thankfully Prime will detox it and keep it safer for your fish while it does.

Please "pay it forward" by passing it on.

 

[Momgoose56]

1.0

Okay, good. That's really not bad. You know, with those small tanks, you COULD remove the ammonia before you ever put the water in the tanks by boiling it. If you boil water at a gentle boil for 20 minutes any ammonia in the water gasses out. For 25% water changes you would need to boil about 8 gallons and let it cool. Another thing you can try is run your hot water faucet and get some of that very hot water in a cup. Let it air cool and test it for ammonia. Make sure it's been sitting in the hot water heater a few hours (not right after 10 teenagers take showers lol!) it may test 0 for ammonia as well and you could use that for water changes. This is just an option but your tank should be able to handle any ammonia straight out of your tap.

 

[Jnyftb]

Okay, good. That's really not bad. You know, with those small tanks, you COULD remove the ammonia before you ever put the water in the tanks by boiling it. If you boil water at a gentle boil for 20 minutes any ammonia in the water gasses out. For 25% water changes you would need to boil about 8 gallons and let it cool. Another thing you can try is run your hot water faucet and get some of that very hot water in a cup. Let it air cool and test it for ammonia. Make sure it's been sitting in the hot water heater a few hours (not right after 10 teenagers take showers lol!) it may test 0 for ammonia as well and you could use that for water changes.

Love this tip. Thank you!

 

[Hunter1]

Basically the additional ammonia will cause your beneficial bacteria to grow and in short time it won’t matter anymore.

 

[grump299]

Thank you!
If the ammonia is not 0 tomorrow... When you say "dose again" do I do water change and dose again or just dose the tank (as is)

If you have ammonia in your tap water then a water change will not change that so just dose prime and test again in 24 hrs

 

[Momgoose56]

Love this tip. Thank you!

I do agree with with Hunter tho, your tap ammonia is so low, your aquarium bacteria should handle it with no problem. Your fish probably produce more ammonia than that every day!
*The boiling is nice to know tho, especially if you do have a mess where you find a dead mouse in the tank (the cat put it there) and your ammonia is 40 and you need it gone yesterday! True story, my brothers 220-dead mouse-bad cat-he came home after 3 days out of town....no one else in the house noticed the dead stench floating in the dark back corner of the tank the whole time...

 

[mattgirl]

I know a lot of folks get worried when that find they have ammonia in their tap water. I am thinking it is probably ammonium instead of ammonia but our test don't know the difference. I know finding it in your tank when it shouldn't have been there caused concern. Fortunately you found the source before you started adding things to "fix" a problem that wasn't a tank problem after all.

That isn't the point I am wanting to make though. You have 1ppm ammonia in your tap water. If you do a 50% water change you are already diluting that 1ppm ammonia down to .5ppm. Prime will detox that small amount of ammonia and your cycle will process it fairly quick so in the long run 1ppm ammonia in your tap water really isn't a big deal.

 

[Jnyftb]

Thanks for your help everyone. I haven't fed them yet. Waiting until tonight to see what the readings say. Everyone is still active
I'll update on here tonight

I do agree with with Hunter tho, your tap ammonia is so low, your aquarium bacteria should handle it with no problem. Your fish probably produce more ammonia than that every day!
*The boiling is nice to know tho, especially if you do have a mess where you find a dead mouse in the tank (the cat put it there) and your ammonia is 40 and you need it gone yesterday! True story, my brothers 220-dead mouse-bad cat-he came home after 3 days out of town....no one else in the house noticed the dead stench floating in the dark back corner of the tank the whole time...

YIKES! That must have been awful! We have mice but my cats are to old to care lol
We have stink bugs here and they are always finding there way in my tanks. I assumed that was the source. Didn't suspect the water in my home that I've lived in for 5 years without any issues

 

[Jnyftb]

Here are their ammonia levels tonight. I haven't fed them since Friday night. Do you think it'll be ok to feed them again tomorrow? I feel bad

 

[david1978]

Lightly feeding them will be fine.

 

[Jnyftb]

Looks like we're in the clear. Thank you everyone for all of your help

 

[Momgoose56]

Guess I don't understand, what 4 ammonia tests. I see 4 tubes, what/where/when is each one from?