New 55 gallon tank...seeded from established 10 gallon tank. Has 6 small tetras...Readings as follows:?

Question

Ammonia- between 0 and .25
nitrite- 0
ph 8
Kh- 14
temp 77

What point (amount of ammonia) should I do a water change to protect my fishies (blue tetras) from getting ammonia poisoning. I'm hoping it won't get too high since it was seeded and has live plants in it.

thanks

I realize that usually tetras, angels and other south american fish like it a little more acidic and soft, but these fish were bred in alkaline/hard water in illinois. Hence, they have grown up in it and are quite comfortable. They are eating (very fast moving little guys) and showing MUCH more color than when I got them yesterday and are actually looking better than at the lfs.

oh, and the 10 gallon tank had 5 adult guppies, 1 adult female betta, 5 2 month old guppies (males) and 9 3-4 week old baby guppies (most of which will be rehomed when the reach 1/2")

Answer 1

Since it was seeded from another tank and has only the 6 small fish I wouldn't worry at all. Your ammonia will probably rise just a bit more but certainly shouldn't get into the dangerous levels. But to answer the question, at 77F and pH 8 you need to take action for a reading over 0.4 ppm Remember, the amount of bacteria you need has absolutely nothing to do with the size of the tank. That is totally and completely meaningless but a very common misconception. The only thing that matters for the amount of bacteria you need is the amount of the bioload in the tank. That is, how many things are producing ammonia and how much they will produce.

You can buy yourself a little more room by lowering the pH or increasing the temperature, but that really shouldn't be needed.

Here's some additional information:

http://fins.actwin.com/mirror/begin-cycling.html

MM

Answer 2

Well, even if you seeded your tank with everything from your 10 gallon, it only covers 20% of your 55 gallon tank. .25 isn't that high but it's not 0 - you could do small daily water changes (10%) over the next couple weeks, because the nitrites will likely spike, also. Ammonia and nitrites are toxic in ANY amount, and although fish can handle a little bit for a little while, less is definitely better. There is no "safe" amount. But since you seeded it, I don't see it going much higher than that. Just give it a few more days and of course keep an eye on the levels.
The live plants will have no impact on the ammonia and nitrite readings.
Don't add any fish yet, wait for the ammonia to drop. At .25, the fish will be okay, but if it goes above that do a water change. Ditto for the nitrites. When they are both at zero, you can (slowly) start to add your new fish.

Answer 3

You should change some water out any time it gets to .25. So do a change right away and monitor levels very closely. Since you seeded it from another tank, the cycle should be good in a week or so. Just make sure you only add 1 or 2 fish at a time so your bacteria can grow to support a 55 gallon tank, since right now it can only support a 10 gallon tank.

Answer 4

The plant really don't help with ammonia. (Nitrates yes, but not much.) At this point some people will say a 10% water change is in order. Others will say better to leave it alone until unless hits .5-1. With your pH, and temp I'd be a bit more concerned at .5.
http://fins.actwin.com/mirror/begin-cycling.html#how-much-ammonia

Also your water is a bit basic, and hard for most tetras. On the other hand livebearers like molly, guppy, platty/swordtail would love it.
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/scateg.cfm?pCatId=890