i just started a new 90 gal tank with a power filter that has been on an established tank for years. i added a few fish and of course i got a small ammonia spike. problem is that my test kit reads for "total ammonia." my question is how much total ammonia would be considered harmful?, or how much un-ionized ammonia would be considered harmful to freshwater angels?
i'm also giving them water changes daily just to be on the safe side, but i'd like to make sure im not at the "danger" zone.
2007-06-19 15:25:13 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Fish
Fish have slightly different tolerances, but they begin to be stressed at 0.5, so that's what I set as the limit for when to do a water change. Some fish can take levels of 1.0 or higher, but just because they can live in this level, doesn't mean they should have to. The more stress a fish experiences, the more susceptible they will be to other diseases/parasites they might normally be able to fight off.
It's also hard to set a specific level because the pH plays a part in ammonia toxicity, so I prefer to err on the side of caution and change the water sooner than later.
2007-06-19 15:33:46 · answer #1 · answered by copperhead 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I'd say any ammonia at all is bad, but if you're looking for specifics of ammonia vs ammonium, the links below should be helpful. I've seen curves that relate pH to ammonium levels on a site or two, but these links have a table - the second link has several large tables, actually. Gives maxiumum liveable ammonia levels for several pHs. High pH is much worse than low.
Searches for things like pH, ammonium and toxicity should turn up lots more hits
2007-06-19 23:47:03 · answer #2 · answered by Wendy M 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In an establish tank, ammonia should be zero and thats the best you can get with ammonia.
If I am not mistaken the limit is 5ppm for Ammonia after which you will start experiencing problem (fish and pH subjective). Ammonia reading should only be present during the initial cycling, that means it should be a short term thing.
2007-06-19 22:35:26 · answer #3 · answered by dragonfly_sg 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
i never let ammonia get above .25
the majority of people with tanks think that anything over .50 is stressful, but i like to be on the safe side.
2007-06-20 19:19:00 · answer #4 · answered by Kerri 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ditto to copperhead 100%
MM
2007-06-19 22:58:34 · answer #5 · answered by magicman116 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
ditto to magic and copper
2007-06-19 23:42:57 · answer #6 · answered by michael_j_p_42503 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
im not sure.i c mii grandpa put 1 drop.if i get it wrong,itz soo not mii fault.
2007-06-19 22:30:25 · answer #7 · answered by ~winkie= 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
second the motion... believe copper head...
2007-06-20 03:03:07 · answer #8 · answered by Pyro2600 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋