Low ammonia reading in tank - what to do?

Question

So I have a five gallon freshwater tank. I only have two little dwarf platys in it right now. The water was kinda cloudy for the past week or so and just over the last day pretty much cleared up completely. Still, all of my ammonia, nitrate, nitrite readings have been good. Today my tank is testing at about .20 ammonia, which isn't that high and I'm wondering if I should leave it alone or do a partial water change. what is the best way to clear up trace amounts of ammonia. I don't want it to get worse.

I don't believe I've been overfeeding. Only once a day and only a very very small amount. the tank's fairly new - the fish have only been in there about a week and the tank's already been cycled.

Note - I did a 25% water change. Looks like the ammonia level might have gone done just a small bit. Not sure what to do at this point - i don't want to stress the fish out any more than they are (although they seem to be doing okay)

Answer 1

As you note, that's not very high and isn't dangerous at all. All tanks always have trace amounts of ammonia and it doesn't take much at all to bring that trace up to a .20. If the tank is cycles it will clear up by itself in fairly short order.

Also, take a close look at the info on your test kit. Many tast kits are no more accurate than that and you could be getting a bit of a false reading, that's not at all uncommon. The way test kits work just a few drops difference in the amount of water you are testing or getting drops of different sizes can alter the readings significantly. If you want a fairly accurate reading on your ammonia level do 3-4 test in a row being very careful with each one and average the results. The difference between them could surprise you.

If the tank has not cycled, do a small water change to prevent build up, being sure to remove any uneaten food in the process.

Answer 2

Any amount of ammonia is bad, but platy are pretty tough. A partial water change will not make much of a difference. Even a 50% will only reduce it to .2. I'd add 1 teaspoon of table salt dissolved in a cup per hour for 3-4 hours. This will offset nitrite poison, and reduce the stress to the platy. (Note that livebearers like a little salt unlike many fish.)

The real question is why the ammonia levels are rising? Is this a new tank? Are you overfeeding? (A platty only need as much food as it can eat in 1-2 minutes 6 days a week.)

Answer 3

That's very high! Anything above 0 is toxic to the fish. The nitrites will be the next thing to worry about. Once a tank is cycled you should never have any ammonia reading.

Answer 4

If the water is cloudy, most likely it is from overfeeding. When you feed to much it raises the nitrite levels in the water and can make it cloudy. Do partial water changes every week or so and buy Ammolock or whatever eliminates ammonia. The smaller the tank, the harder it is to take care of it, meaning the more you will have to clean it and such. That is what I have learned anyway.

Answer 5

Don't do a water change UNLESS your tank is completely cycled.

If it is, then do a water change. It isn't recommended that you use any chemicals to control ammonia, because the chemical will rebound if you don't fix the problem itself.

Make sure you're not over feeding, make sure you do water changes monthly with a gravel vac.

Answer 6

Do a 50% water change. With fish in there you want that level to be as close to zero as you can get it.

Answer 7

As long as its in a safe range leave it alone. As far as clearing up cloudy water, we use stability and its works instantly like overnight

Answer 8

Definately do a water change. And make sure the water you add is filtered...not tap water.

Answer 9

have you tried a beneficial bacteria in a bottle like cycle or stress zyme? they work well for me and my stinky goldfish.