Will a little bit of banking soda lower amonia levels in fish tank?

Question

Did a water change and the amonia levels spiked. I do not have any chemicals in the house and I'm far away from a pet store. I've heard baking soda helps but I don't want to add it unitil I get some advice.

Answer 1

The only thing I've heard baking soda used for is to raise pH. I'm not certain why the ammonia would rise after a water change (this usually lowers the concentration!). The only thing I can think of is that either there was debris stirred up that added to the level in the tank, or your test was off. Did you try a second water test to confirm the results?

You might try another partial water change to lower the ammonia, this time not disturbing the filter or gravel while removing the water.

Answer 2

is this a newly set up tank? if so it ought to nicely be a organic cycle. The cloudiness is a stated as a organic and organic bloom and could clean up after some days. If that is an older tank i might advise re-comparing your feeding schedule and quantities as maximum circumstances that is an overfeeding subject. on occasion too you could stress a tank right into a mini-cycle with the aid of including new fish or having a fish die that's not right now remote from the tank. If the tank is new, stop doing water variations and merely permit the tank sit down. If that is older, proceed with 20% water variations weekly until situations enhance and view including some ammonia remover to your clear out media. i would not do greater suitable than a 20% substitute at a time or you ought to reason your tank to cycle yet back, in turn inflicting what you're attempting to stay away from. best of success!

Answer 3

I can't honestly say that I've heard about baking soda help for ammonia, and I have a minor in Chemistry. What you need to lower your ammonia in the tank is good old fashioned bacteria, by name nitrosomona which oxidizes ammonia into a slightly less toxic and harmful substance called nitrite. Baking soda is not going to accomplish this. I think you may have that spike in your ammonia from cleaning the gravel, or did you maybe wash out the filter when you did your water change? One thing I've applied when I do some cleaning in my tanks, is to use a bucket of the water from the tank and rinse the sponge component of my filter in it. You are going to lose some of your bacteria washing any mechanical parts of any filter, but if you keep it in the tank water, IN THE BUCKET, you will lose less of it then washing off the parts all togeather. I've tried that and noticed less of a mini spike then cleaning it outright in the sink.

Answer 4

Just to add one more voice to the chorus... NO baking soda will not help ammonia levels at all and in fact would make matters even worse for your fish to be honest. I agree completely with copperhead, try another water change as he suggested.

MM

Answer 5

yes...a tablespoon to about a lit of water. Also try citric acid salts or malic acid salts. It balances the ph level of any watery substance or even water from taps.