Ammo chips and the like do NOT "clear" up the ammonia. It neutralizes it, it doesn't take care of the root problem which is an uncycled tank. Keep doing the water changes to keep both ammonia and nitrites below 1.0 ppm. This can get tedious, but it's worth it. Regular water conditioner will be fine and won't mess with your test kits.
What do I do for a high ammonia level that won't come down?
- Thread starter Grizzly76
- Start date
I agree with use of PRIME for water conditioner. Dechlorinator should be all you need to add to the water you are using for changes.
I might also consider testing the source water or tapwater for ammonia. Water changes to keep ammonia below 1 are needed to keep fish from dying. I have also used product.. AMQUEL+ for treating tapwater before it goes in the tank with no complaints. In my view ,,if the dechlorinator doesn't clearly say on the bottle that it detoxifies AMMONIA,CHLORINE, and CHLORAMINES I won't use it. This motto has served me well.
I might also consider testing the source water or tapwater for ammonia. Water changes to keep ammonia below 1 are needed to keep fish from dying. I have also used product.. AMQUEL+ for treating tapwater before it goes in the tank with no complaints. In my view ,,if the dechlorinator doesn't clearly say on the bottle that it detoxifies AMMONIA,CHLORINE, and CHLORAMINES I won't use it. This motto has served me well.
If you test your water before a change and the ammonia reads 1.0, then do a 50% water change, the ammonia should read .5 immediately afterward. Have you done this -- tested immediately before and after w/c?
If you have done this and seen no change in the test results then your test would just about have to be defective.
If this isn't the case, then when are you changing water and how much, and when are you testing in relation to the water changes?
If you have done this and seen no change in the test results then your test would just about have to be defective.
If this isn't the case, then when are you changing water and how much, and when are you testing in relation to the water changes?
If you have nitrates in your tank, that is a sign it is cycling. I would also suggest testing your tap water and taking a sample to your local fish store and seeing what results they get. Make sure they write them down for you, sometimes they'll just try to say "they're fine" or point you towards some other unnecessary product you need to buy (which you won't).
I am by no means an aquarium expert, but wouldn't a few live plants help with the ammonia/nitrite/nitrate levels?
P.S.: I just filled my tank up last wednesday and I'm using ammonia removers in my filter media container in the emperor 400. Is that bad? I also have live plants ( java fern) in my tank.
Gabe
P.S.: I just filled my tank up last wednesday and I'm using ammonia removers in my filter media container in the emperor 400. Is that bad? I also have live plants ( java fern) in my tank.
Gabe
