I posted about 5 or 6 days ago because I thought my tank was cycled then the ammonia went up to 0.25. I changed the water, added Prime, did a thorough gravel vacuuming, etc and (before I read DataGuru's suggestion not to change the filter) changed one of the filters in my tank. I have 2 filters running--an Eclipse 3 and an Eheim Canister 2026. I changed the filter on the Eclipse--has a filter pad and carbon.

So DataGuru suggested I keep an eye on the water params since I unfortunately changed the filter. I tested the water today and they are as follows:

ammonia: 1.0 ARGH!!!!!!
nitrite: 0.0
nitrate: 5-10
pH: 7.5

I did a 50% water change and added Prime. Any ideas where this ammonia is coming from? My tap water tests 0.0 for ammonia and is disinfected with chlorine, not chloramine.

I think I read somewhere on this web site that the beneficial bacteria that live in the gravel live only in the top layer. Could I have done too thorough of a job vacuuming the gravel or is that not possible? Or is it probably because I changed the filter? Or something else I'm not thinking of?

I did not salt as I think this is only for nitrites but please correct me if I am wrong and I will add salt tomorrow. I will recheck params tomorrow and do water changes as needed.

Please help . . . . I'm so confused.


FYI 37 gallon tank, 2 fancies, 420 gph filtration, tank water clear, fish acting/eating/swimming normally

Hi,

I'm not one of the 2 you requested, but have a suggestion anyway

I'd guess your filter microbes have recently kaput and you need to cycle again. The nitrates may be residual from either tap water or your tank.

Slugger

Well, it sounds like you don't have enough biobugs left to handle the fish load. It shouldn't take as long this time to get back up to speed.
You don't need to salt till you start seeing nitrItes.

Ok thanks a lot Slugger and DataGuru!! I put DataGuru and Toothless in the title section because I've seen so much great advice out there from both of them (and DataGuru has helped me with this recently) but everyone's advice is truly welcome!! So thank you too Slugger and anyone else who can offer help on the subject!!

Oh and one more question--so the ammonia is back because the biobugs are down--is this because of the change of filter? Or is it possible to disrupt the biobugs during a (maybe little too thorough) vacuuming?

Sorry for the double post but I jsut tested my water and ammonia and nitrites are both back to 0.0. It's been 24 hours since I changed the water so I'll keep a close eye on it.

How weird is that? (I have the AP master test kit so I think that's the test that would still show ammonia even though I'm using Prime, right? At least that's what I remember reading in other posts.)

Sorry for not seeing this sooner...


Yes, you will still see the correct results for total ammonia, if you are using the AP test kits.


When a tank first cycles and the ammonia and nitrItes have hit the targeted 0ppm, the balance between the bio-bugs and the wasted generated is still still very fragile. One the tank has been set-up and running, cycled, for more than a month or two, it becomes exceedingly hard to disrupt the balance. Within a few months, if you are providing enough bio-filtration, you can change the filterpad or perform a cleaning without disrupting anything and the amm/trItes remain at 0ppm.

Rest assured, you can still perform as thorough a gravel vac as you like, anytime. Although somenitrifying bacters live in the gravel, the majority of them live in the filter, unless a UGF filter is being implemented. I believe your changing the filterpad is what caused the bio-filter to stumble.


Good on ya for being so persistant with testing....


Here's a link to help you with filter maintenence: http://www.kokosgoldfish.invisionzone.com/...showtopic=26495


Paul

Thanks a bunch, toothless!! That explains it then. And great link to filter maintenance. I haven't read it all yet but I will definitely do so soon!!


Yeah, I love this site!! I would be lost without all of the excellent advice from all of you!!