ammonia spike?

[Rick]

I did a water test as I do just befor each water chage and noticed the
ammonia had a spike(0.2-0.4).

The next day (yesterday) I did a 30 gal water change in my 120 gal
tank.

I checked the ammoinia again today any it looks as if it droped to
0.1-0.2 .

I'm going to take some water down to my LFS and have them test it also
to see if it maybe my test kit. My tank has been setup for 1.5yrs and
this is the first time I have seen arise in the ammonia. I have not
lost any fish and the current ammonia level maybe safe for now.

I thought it is a good idea to do another partial water change but my
LFS is close at the moment. So here is what I did, I put in some
amquel. according to the lable on the bottle of amquel is states that1
teaspoon (5ml) for each 10gal of water will detoxify 1ppm of ammonia.

If this OK or just a temporary fix on a possible problem? As I had no
way to change water right away I thought what can it hurt. Maybe I
dont need to do an additional water change? What do you think? If the
amquel really does lower the ammonia, why do I need to do another
partial water change?

F.Y.I- I have had not lost any fish reciently and I regularly do a 30%
water change every month just like clock work. I just dont understand
why an ammonia spike?



Thks/Rick

[Wayne Sallee]

Most of those products are actualy made from amonia, and
that is why they often cause the test kits to read higher.
They detoxify, by making the amonia less toxic, rather
than take it out. Then bacteria oxydizes this less toxic
amonia into nitrite.

So they are quick fixes rather than true fixes.

Wayne Sallee
Wayne's Pets



Rick wrote on 11/12/2005 10:17 AM:
> I did a water test as I do just befor each water chage and noticed the
> ammonia had a spike(0.2-0.4).
>
> The next day (yesterday) I did a 30 gal water change in my 120 gal
> tank.
>
> I checked the ammoinia again today any it looks as if it droped to
> 0.1-0.2 .
>
> I'm going to take some water down to my LFS and have them test it also
> to see if it maybe my test kit. My tank has been setup for 1.5yrs and
> this is the first time I have seen arise in the ammonia. I have not
> lost any fish and the current ammonia level maybe safe for now.
>
> I thought it is a good idea to do another partial water change but my
> LFS is close at the moment. So here is what I did, I put in some
> amquel. according to the lable on the bottle of amquel is states that1
> teaspoon (5ml) for each 10gal of water will detoxify 1ppm of ammonia.
>
> If this OK or just a temporary fix on a possible problem? As I had no
> way to change water right away I thought what can it hurt. Maybe I
> dont need to do an additional water change? What do you think? If the
> amquel really does lower the ammonia, why do I need to do another
> partial water change?
>
> F.Y.I- I have had not lost any fish reciently and I regularly do a 30%
> water change every month just like clock work. I just dont understand
> why an ammonia spike?
>
>
>
> Thks/Rick
>

[Rick]

I think if I waited it out from the water change, that the natural
process would have occured,(the ammonia droping on its own). But I
just did not want to risk it.

You Wrote: So they are quick fixes rather than true fixes, BUT IT DID
FIX IT?

Q. Now it is just time for the bacteria to change the less toxic
ammonia into Nitrite or will I maybe see another ammonia spike?

Current ammonia is .01 so the amquel did as expected 5ml per 10 gals
did drop .01.

Thanks for the info Wayne

Rick

[Wayne Sallee]

You need to find the sorce of the amonia spike,instead of
relying on quick fixes.

Wayne Sallee
Wayne's Pets



Rick wrote on 11/12/2005 12:52 PM:
> I think if I waited it out from the water change, that the natural
> process would have occured,(the ammonia droping on its own). But I
> just did not want to risk it.
>
> You Wrote: So they are quick fixes rather than true fixes, BUT IT DID
> FIX IT?
>
> Q. Now it is just time for the bacteria to change the less toxic
> ammonia into Nitrite or will I maybe see another ammonia spike?
>
> Current ammonia is .01 so the amquel did as expected 5ml per 10 gals
> did drop .01.
>
> Thanks for the info Wayne
>
> Rick
>

[Boomer]

Most sea salts have ammonia to begin with and often give the results you are getting. In
an established tank it is usually not an issue.Try checking a fresh mix of seasalt and you
will more that likely see it has ammonia. If one is worried about ammonia from normal
water changes Amquel is the one answer to fix it.

Ammonia in seasalts; Look at Table III, NH4:N

The Composition Of Several Synthetic Seawater Mixes
http://web.archive.org/web/20030608135355/http://www.animalnetwork.com/fish2/aqfm/1999/mar/features/1/default.asp


Amquel chemistry is very complex. It does not make ammonia less toxic but converts it into
a completely different product. This product will react with Nessler's reagent test kits
and give fallse readings but is unaffected by salicylate test kits such as the Fastest by
Aquarium Systems.

There is more on Amquel chemistry here;

Chloramine and the Reef Aquarium
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-11/rhf/feature/index.php

--
Boomer

Want to talk chemistry ? The Reef Chemistry Forum
http://www.reefcentral.com/vbulletin/index.php


Former US Army Bomb Technician (EOD)
Member; IABTI, NATEODA, WEODF, ISEE & IPS

If You See Me Running You Better Catch-Up


"Rick" > wrote in message
oups.com...
:I did a water test as I do just befor each water chage and noticed the
: ammonia had a spike(0.2-0.4).
:
: The next day (yesterday) I did a 30 gal water change in my 120 gal
: tank.
:
: I checked the ammoinia again today any it looks as if it droped to
: 0.1-0.2 .
:
: I'm going to take some water down to my LFS and have them test it also
: to see if it maybe my test kit. My tank has been setup for 1.5yrs and
: this is the first time I have seen arise in the ammonia. I have not
: lost any fish and the current ammonia level maybe safe for now.
:
: I thought it is a good idea to do another partial water change but my
: LFS is close at the moment. So here is what I did, I put in some
: amquel. according to the lable on the bottle of amquel is states that1
: teaspoon (5ml) for each 10gal of water will detoxify 1ppm of ammonia.
:
: If this OK or just a temporary fix on a possible problem? As I had no
: way to change water right away I thought what can it hurt. Maybe I
: dont need to do an additional water change? What do you think? If the
: amquel really does lower the ammonia, why do I need to do another
: partial water change?
:
: F.Y.I- I have had not lost any fish reciently and I regularly do a 30%
: water change every month just like clock work. I just dont understand
: why an ammonia spike?
:
:
:
: Thks/Rick
:

[Rick]

Thanks Boomer,

Maybe I was over concerned with the ammonia? I added some fritz Zyme
#9. The bacteria will also help.t. I added 15ml to 125 gal tank not
alot but not over kill.

Rick