Hi Guys, some advice on making a water change in our tank please. It's been gradually running higher on amonia levels which we've been trying to counter with Ammo Lock, cutting down on feeding and getting a new filter but we're losing the battle. The fish (tetras, corydoras) seem OK, but levels are high.
The water is an odd colour (prob due to the chemicals we're putting in?) Perhaps a water change would help? Would like advice on what percentage of the water to change (30L tank) and how best to go about it.
Muchos gratias amigos. Water change in fish tank?Well a new filter is about the worst thing you can do. In order to get the tank cycling, the bacteria need to build up in the filter. You don't want a new white filter, you want an old cruddy looking one. It's the bacteria that make your tank safe.
If your ammonia is still climbing, realize that some tests will show the ammonia even if it is locked in a safer form.
Now the locked ammonia will still work to cycle the tank but you have to be careful because after ammonia comes nitrite and some products that make ammonia safe don't make nitrite safe, so when the flood of nitrite comes you will be in trouble. Ammo lock is a good product to deal with chlorine and chloramine in tap water but really isn't good for your situation because it doesn't do anything for nitrite.
Amquel plus does all three forms of nitrogen. It's probably the best temporary nitrogen fix on the market.
Now back to what can you do. You are right to limit feedings. You should also start to change water, not all the water. If you are quite high, I'd probably change a third or a quater a day for several days and then go to ten or fifteen percent a day.when you see the levels of ammonia drop significantly.
It also helps to use a gravel vacuum to get rid of as much waste as you can.
I'd also suggest at this point that the cycling products such as Cycle would be worth a try to get that filter going.
Marv
Water change in fish tank?I always do a complete change because I have a spare tank I can set up a few days in advance. Leave it in the same room to equlibrate etc and then just switch the fish over. Water change in fish tank?Change no more than 20-30% of water once a fortnight. If u have time do it once a week. Water change in fish tank?If you have nigh ammonia level, it mean you tank is still in the cycling process. While the tank is in the cycling process, keep doing 20% to 25% water changes every day. And stop using the ammo lock.
If you keep using use ammo lock during the cycling period, you tank will take forever to cycle. Ammo lock simply detoxify ammonia into different isotope. Water change in fish tank?If your tank is cycling then the ammolock is breaking the cycle. Also your new filter is gonna need to mature, again not really helping the cycle.
http://www.paw-talk.net/small-pets/17/11.html
But in the meantime 20% water changes every other day should do it. However every fish keeper will tell you different. This link has signs of Ammonia related stress.
http://shops.st701.com/articles/view/1365
Water change in fish tank?Start doing partial water changes to keep the ammonia level down. Dont try for zero, as a complete water change will remove all the ammonia and stop the cycle from establishing. You may need to change up to 50% of the water at first, but less once you get things under control.
Just do enough water changes to keep the ammonia down below 1ppm.
That will be enough ammonia for the cycle bacteria to multiply, but low enough that the fish survive. It's a balancing act.
The cloudy water is normal for a new tank thats cycling.
Water changes, even big ones wont harm your fish, but ammonia will, so change the water.
A new filter will take 2 or 3 weeks to start working correctly as the bacteria need to multiply inside it.
Have a read of the link below, the nitrogen cycle and ammonia in the tank will make much more sense then.
Ian
