"BigBadGourami" wrote in message
news:_7XLb.16483$nt4.28348@attbi_s51...
Hi I have a question. My tank is about 3 months old. I went through
the
cycling and everything with a very small ammonia spike a large nitrite
spike
(10ppm). Anyways, my water consistently tests with nitrite at 0 and
ammonia
just barely detectable and nitrate less than 10ppm. I cannot seem to
get
rid of the last bit of ammonia. My tap tested negative for
chloramines.
The LFS recommends amquel. I asked him if it would starve my
biological
filter. He said no that the ammonia would still be available for the
bacteria. I however am still doubtful. Do any of you know if amquel
will
starve my biological filter? Can anyone tell me why my Nitrosomas are
not
doing their job? I am wondering if it might be the pH. I believe I
read
nitospira like high pH but nitrosomas do not. I recently raised the
temp
from 78 to 85 because I have ich. I thought maybee the higher temp
might
also induce growth of the nitrosomas but it had no affect.

Tank 55gal
Filter 1 penguin 330 biowheel
1 Regent 30-60 with sponges in it
Elite 802 pump/airstones for extra circulation oxygenation
Water pretty hard
pH 8.2 ( could this be the prob?)
ammona barely detectable in "safe zone".
nitrite 0
nitrate 10ppm

temp 85 (I am treating for ich)
salt 1/2 tsp gal
malachite green/formalin 1/2 dose

Population
4 clown loaches (1.25 - 1.5 inches)
2 platys
4 Zebra danios
1 female cherry barb (male died)
1 male dwarf gourami (1.25 inches)
2 juvenile pearl gouramis (1inch each)

AFAIK, Amquel changes NH3 to NH4, which is still consumed by bacteria. A
pH of 8.2 would have no bad effects on nitrifying bacteria (you need to
get below 6.5pH to effect them). Some of your fish will labour in 8.2pH,
and may or may not adapt. If there no other stressors, chances are good
that they will adapt, but some might not prosper as well as they would
have. From your description, is it possible that your trace NH3 is from
municipal chloramine water treatment? It sounds like your tank is
already cycled.

NetMax