Ammonia Level Problems?

Question

After a couple days my ammonia creeps up. Typically after 3 water changes within a day it will come back down. Maybe there are too many fish in the tank?

2 Orange fish 1.5" in length, Mollies I think
2 XRay Tetras 1" in length
1 Spotted Catfish 1" in length.
2 Algae eaters 1"-1.25" in length.
2 Dwarf frogs – 1” in length

As for feeding them, I've been putting food in, whatever they don't eat after a minute or so, I scoop back out.

We bought the tank about a month ago (10 gallon), let it run for a few days (added cycle), and added a few fish, later added more. After 3 weeks our ammonia levels where off the charts, even after changing a 1/3 the water several times a day, and adding anti-ammonia stuff, it wouldn’t come down, so I changed all the water. The levels were good for a week in this fresh water. I did add the cycle stuff again to the new water before putting the fish in it.

I'm using a BioWheel filter meant for a 30 gallon tank.

Answer 1

That is a pretty strong fish load for a fairly new 10 gallon tank. If I understand correctly, you replaced all the water a week ago and are still having ammonia problems. The main source of the problem is that not enough nitrifying bacteria has built up in the tank. I would suggest you do 1/3 to 1/2 water changes every day as needed to keep the ammonia very low. You actually do want a little ammonia in the tank at this point, but very little. Also it would be a good idea to reduce the amount you are feeding the fish for the next week or so. Right now the anti-ammonia agent is probably working against you to some extent. Free ammonia is required for the bacteria to grow to an adequate level. Keep changing water to keep the level low. Change it even if the ammonia level is only a little high. Within a week or two you will see that an ammonia test before the water change will read much lower and you will be able to do a smaller water change to get the reduced level again. Shortly after that the bacteria will have built up enough to keep the ammonia low even without a water change and eventually to zero.

It will take a lot of water and a lot of patience, but it will eventually cycle and stabilize, just stick with it and hang in there.

Hope this helps

MM

Answer 2

I experienced similar problems when using Cycle. Stop using it but make sure you use a different chemical to treat the water. you need a tap water conditioner, waste reducer and a biological maintenance. I use a brand that has been made by a speciality pet store, but petland or petcetera would have alternative fish tank maintenance chemicals. Also, not sure how the dwarf frogs would effect your ammonia levels.

Answer 3

Stop using cycle, its dead beneficial bacteria, it won't help anything. Don't use the ammonia reducer either, the chemicals can do a number on the tank. The ammonia reducer also won't do any good for the bacteria which is trying to grow. Just go slowly and let the tank cycle without all sorts of chemicals.

Are you using test strips? They are notoriously wrong. Use liquid test kits. Also, test your tap water for ammonia, assuming you are using tap water.

Answer 4

A filter out will help efficient - a filter out is constructive in any fish tank. With goldfish pass for a more beneficial robust one (ie your tank is 15ltr get individual who filters 30)- they're messy beggars and choose more than a number of filtering. The tank is making an attempt to cycle (study up on nitrogen cycle) it truly is why ammonia is intense. If the chemical you're using isn't operating stop using it, it is going to maximum efficient complicate concerns in the longer time period. critically positioned money right into a filter out and safeguard doing worry-free partial water variations (another day), continually rinse out the filter out sponge in historic tank water and now no longer from the tap as this can increasingly advise you're frequently cycling!! even as doing all of your water adjustments think about to employ a dechlorinator - this can probable shrink any added rigidity on him. even as your chum is searching after him, tutor them how you could do a water replace and also get them to feed him a minimum quantity. optimistically issues will tick over til you come. do no longer panic too a lot they're hardy little devils, you in trouble-free words have were given to save doing what you're doing and concerns will style themselves out. EDIT - it is pleasant in order to operate and commence the filter out with the fish in there, getting it walking for some hours previously gained't make any distinction - it needs the fish in there to commence the cycle. if you get one which has an adjustable outlet - to how adjust how a lot water you're filtering, set it to minimum to with, if no longer purely set it going, if it in all fairness robust perspective the hollow and the part of the tank or perhaps if to disipate the water. that you will be able to purchase "bacteria boosters" in order to help velocity up the cycle, yet there are blended perspectives on no matter if those artwork or no longer.

Answer 5

its like swimming in your own poop, would you swim in your own poop?