ammonia and nitrate questions

[gotticgs]

what is the safe zone for ammonia and nitrate

i have a 55 gallon tankbut what other information do you need to answer this question

i am at .25 on ammonia
and 10 on nitrate

[PhishPhreek]

Re: ammonia and nitrate questions

How Much Ammonia Is Too Much?
In an established tank, ammonia should be undetectable using standard test kits available at stores. The presence of detectable levels indicates that your bio filter is not working adequately, either because your tank has not yet cycled, or the filter is not functioning adequately (e.g., too small for fish load, clogged, etc.) It is imperative that you address the problem (filter) in addition to the symptoms (high ammonia levels).
The exact concentration at which ammonia becomes toxic to fish varies among species; some are more tolerant than others. In addition, other factors like water temperature and chemistry play a significant role. For example, ammonia (NH3) continually changes to ammonium (NH4+) and vice versa, with the relative concentrations of each depending on the water's temperature and pH. Ammonia is extremely toxic; ammonium is relatively harmless. At higher temperatures and pH, more of the nitrogen is in the toxic ammonia form than at lower pH.

Standard test kits measure total ammonia (ammonia plus ammonium) without distinguishing between the two forms. The following chart gives the maximum long-term level of ammonia-N in mg/L (ppm) that can be considered safe at a given temperature and pH. Again, note that a tank with an established biological filter will have no detectable ammonia; this chart is provided only for emergency purposes. If your levels approach or exceed the levels shown, take emergency action IMMEDIATELY.


Water Temperature
pH --- 68F --- 77F
_________________
8.5 --- 0.2 --- 0.1
8.0 --- 0.5 --- 0.4
7.5 --- 1.6 --- 1.2
7.0 --- 5.0 --- 3.6
6.5 --- 15 -- 11.1

from http://faq.thekrib.com/begin-cycling.html

[imagirlgeek]

Re: ammonia and nitrate questions

And for Nitrate, in general 40 and below is supposed to be okay.  But it really depends on the fish.  Some fish are more sensitive to water quality than others.  What kind of fish do you have?

[gotticgs]

Re: ammonia and nitrate questions

2    2"tropheus
3    frontosa range from 4 to 8"
1    6"hap
3    3"-4" tiger plecos
1    2" clown pleco

and i also have 1 emperor 400

[fshfrk]

Re: ammonia and nitrate questions

your fish live in a toilet and it needs to be flushed! some people call this a water change.

[eklikewhoa]

Re: ammonia and nitrate questions

How long have those fish been in there?

With the presence of ammonia tested and low nitrate it would seem as though you are going through a cycle.

[gotticgs]

Re: ammonia and nitrate questions

your fish live in a toilet and it needs to be flushed! some people call this a water change.

I just did but ,thanks for the advice

I have had this tank up for over a year so it has cycled with constant water changes  but i have added new fish so i was keeping an eye on it
but I am thinking the problem if it is or is not  lies in my substrate and mainly the stuff i cant get to behind my rocks and crap so time to do some vacuuming

[fshfrk]

Re: ammonia and nitrate questions

yea a good vac will help. maybe only do 1/2 of the substrate. if you have pockets of gas underneath those rocks and do it all at once it may be fatal. then do the other half tomorrow or the next day. if the emp is the only filter I would consider getting a second filter. also i would alternate cleaning your pads. do 1 one wk ,the other the following wk. hope this helps.