Ammonia levels??

[TallTexan]

I have stress level ammonia readings, and can't seem to get them to come down.

I've done a 50% water change
Added ammonia lock- supposed to help reduce immediately

Fish aren't showing much signs of stress, but I don't want the levels to elevate out of control.

Any suggestion?

Or further input needed?

[mnemenoi]

Ammonia is the first step of the Nitrate cycle. It is eventually broken down into another toxic, Nitrite, and is broken down to Nitrate, which is the least toxic. Ammo lock and other chemicals bind the Ammonia into Ammonium, which is safer, but still registers as Ammonia on test kits. Is your tank fully cycled? Are you adding Stability or Cycle? How are you handling your filter media for clean out? Any Ammonia reading is dangerous (usually,though very soft water and low Ph can be an exception, as in below 6.0) and generally indicates a new tank or one that has not been cycled. Adding a serious amount of new fish can start a mini-cycle, but these are usually far smaller in comparison. Some tap water can contain high levels of Ammonia (Chloramines) and can be dangerous. Many aquarists that experience these fluctuations eventually utilize a carbon snake to reduce this during water changes.

[TallTexan]

Tank is less than a month old, and has eight fish.

I do believe a cycle is happening, due to the cloudy water and small white particles.

Nitrate readings have been almost non existent.

[mnemenoi]

Just beginning to cycle then. The Ammonia will continue to rise until beneficial bacteria colonize to consume it, transforming it into Nitrite (just as deadly) and it will rise. Another species will colonize and begin consuming it, producing Nitrate. Nitrate are reduced through water changes. You can reduce the Ammonia or Nitrite through water changes, but it lengthens the time required to 'cycle' the tank. This is referred to as a 'soft cycle', and is far safer for any inhabitants. Hard cycling (through cycling fish or a piece of dead shrimp) usually takes a month on average, while soft cycling can take far longer.

[TallTexan]

Just beginning to cycle then. The Ammonia will continue to rise until beneficial bacteria colonize to consume it, transforming it into Nitrite (just as deadly) and it will rise. Another species will colonize and begin consuming it, producing Nitrate. Nitrate are reduced through water changes. You can reduce the Ammonia or Nitrite through water changes, but it lengthens the time required to 'cycle' the tank. This is referred to as a 'soft cycle', and is far safer for any inhabitants. Hard cycling (through cycling fish or a piece of dead shrimp) usually takes a month on average, while soft cycling can take far longer.

Dead shrimp?

[supadave]

I suggest that you get yourself a big bottle of Seachem Stability and also try to find someone who can give you some of their biological media from a running filter . Maybe you can find someone who has an Emp 400 that you can trade them some new cartridges for their old.....fresh out the filter cartridges .

[mnemenoi]

Dead shrimp?

Adding a dead shrimp from the grocery store before fish are added allows for a 'fishless' cycle. The shrimp will decay, causing a constant source of Ammonia that feeds the cycle through all its stages. Once you get Nitrate readings, your cycle is complete. Just do a water change and start slowly adding fish to allow the bacteria to catch up and you'll have a fully cycled tank from the outset. I certainly agree with Supadave, get some Stability (Seachem's line) it provides all the bacteria you need to jump start a cycle quickly, just follow the directions on the bottle or ask nearby aquarists for some mulm (that nasty stuff on old aquarium filters and pour it into your filters to jumpstart your bacterial colonies. It can save a tank of fish. We usually keep an extra filter or two on our tanks just for unforeseen start ups.

[fshfrk]

Talltexan, what is your location?

[TallTexan]

Talltexan, what is your location?

Beaumont, but my job usually brings me to Houston once a week.

[troy tucker]

Have you tested the water from the tap? If there is high chloramine it will show up as Ammonia. If the test from the tank is the same as the tank. It could be the Chloramine. But more likely A soft cycle As Roy said.
Ammonia Blockers work but the Ammonia will still show up in the test.

[TallTexan]

Have you tested the water from the tap? If there is high chloramine it will show up as Ammonia. If the test from the tank is the same as the tank. It could be the Chloramine. But more likely A soft cycle As Roy said.
Ammonia Blockers work but the Ammonia will still show up in the test.

I haven't tested my yep water yet, but will tonight