Vacation For 7 Days

thanks.. pwc bring the ph back up some and I have added some crushed coral as well to help. fingers crossed.

So the crushed coral helped get the ph back up and is now consistent around 7 for the last two days. BUT no nitrites and nitrates yet.
Last water change was on Saturday. Sunday ammonia was 0. Today, ammonia is back around .5ppm. I have dosed prime to neutralize it for 24hrs… and will do another water change tomorrow.
Is there a guidance on how long does it take for bb to ‘wake up’ once the ph is back?

what else should I do?

Thanks!

 

There is no set time. If the ammonia goes no higher than what you are seeing give the bacteria time to clear it out. Meaning skip the water change. I seldom ever recommend adding Prime without doing a water change but I am going to make an exception this time. Don't let the ammonia go any higher than this though.

Feed your fish the least amount possible to help keep the ammonia down.

 

There is no set time. If the ammonia goes no higher than what you are seeing give the bacteria time to clear it out. Meaning skip the water change. I seldom ever recommend adding Prime without doing a water change but I am going to make an exception this time. Don't let the ammonia go any higher than this though.

Feed your fish the least amount possible to help keep the ammonia down.

Ok. So i keep an eye an ammonia and let it be as is. So no further dosing of prime.. If ammonia goes higher, water change to bring it down… correct?

 

Ok. So i keep an eye an ammonia and let it be as is. So no further dosing of prime.. If ammonia goes higher, water change to bring it down… correct?

I should have explained it a little clearer. Normally i don't recommed adding Prime instead of doing a water change but in this case that is what I am recommending. If the ammonia stay at .5ppm add Prime each day instead of a water change to get it down. Prime should keep the ammonia detoxed. If the ammonia goes up get it down with a water change.

We want to give the bacteria a chance to clear out the ammonia. It should happen quickly now that you have stabilized the pH.

 

Hi Sak,

Also you can add a pothos plant or floating plant like water sprite and you wont have to worry as much about ammonia spikes. You can even add a lucky bamboo plant to your HOB filter (if you have one). Emersed/floating plants will eat your ammonia fast. One water sprite that is continually putting out new leaves can keep 2-3 fish safe. No need to add expensive chemicals to help with ammonia/nitrites.