Ok so I have my new FX5 up and running in addition to the HOB filters that have always been there, Last night I checked my water to make sure I wasn't going through a mini cycle, here are my findings

Amonia .25
nitrites 0 ppm
nitrates 5ppm

So I did about a 50% water change as it had been 11 days since the last one.

After the water change I tested again, and my readings were,

Amonia .25
nitrites 0ppm
nitrates 0ppm.

I have not cleaned my media in my old filters for maybe 2 months knowing I would have my new filter to establish. The water is crystal clear and the babies are acting completely normal.

What do I do to fix this?

To be quite honest, I couldn't tell you why this has happened. However, it's not uncommon for you to get small spikes. It certainly happened to me on more than one occasion. Test for ammonia every day and carry out a water change if need be, I would imagine it will be okay before too long. When this happens, I always ask people to make a checklist of how they have been carrying out water maintenance, feeding, checking to see if there are any dead fish, dead plants left in the tank etc. etc. Various factors can cause ammonia spikes. In situations like this, I think it's a good idea to use a product called prime, or something similar that does the same job. This will detoxify harmful toxins such as ammonia and nitrite

I was told that products that claimed to clear up ammonia didn't really work, that only a water change could help. I do about a 30% change every week mostly for that reason.Was I told wrong?

Sinstinna wrote:


Prime just lessens the bond in n03... it won't get rid of ammonia completely... you still need to do water changes


nickisue, i suggest you check your tap water for ammonia...

Thanks Art : )

what test kit are you using ???????? sounds to me like you are testing with strips not liquid....as the 50% waterchange HAS TO lower the ppm on the ammo its impossible not to .......I BET YOU ARE TESTING WITH STRIPS .......that dont work you need a liquid kit

I have NEVER owned strips. It is a liquid master test kit. and I checked the ammonia twice!

I just tested again, 20 hours later and my findings again are the same. So adoing a 50% water change last night DID NOT drop my ammonia. I have
Ammonia .25
Nitrates about 3 ppm
nitrites 0.

I am so freaken confused!

i just tested the tap water and it is
Ammonia .25. That could be a problem..... How do I fix it?

in the spring here the runoff cause water problems for the city and im not sure how they cure it but from my tap i also get an ammonia reading but it only last about 2 weeks. during that time i use ammo lock to help in keeping my tanks hospitable for my fishies.

If you've got ammonia in your tap water, it is probably due to chemicals used by the water company. If I was you, contact them and ask them about the situation. However, your biological filter will take care of the ammonia. You should carry out a 50% water change but don't test the water straight after. Check the water the next day and then carry out water changes according to how much ammonia is in the tank. You must get yourself a good water conditioner, like I said before, I use Prine.

Necro, that run off thing is a really good point, it has been melting really fast lately! That could be the problem, cause I have never had a problem with water before. Anyway thanks for your help.