rise in ammonia

cmay · 02-16-2007, 01:24 PM

A small section of my green button mushroom polyps seem to be dying (hardly open, look scorched and puffy)

Since I introduced my new fish I have noticed a small increase in ammonia (0.1) will this amount of increase cause this to happen I'm also concerned about my fish.

My understanding: any level of ammonia can cause stress/death.

I have other polyps that are not effected and are growing larger.

I'm panicking over everything, my main concern is the rise in ammonia (I only feed twice a day, just enough for the food to be consumed in 5 mins)

I only have 20kilo of LR, 3000 L/H going through my sump (however the sump is only used for extra water volume, to be changed in the near future) 2 X 1100L/H power heads for display tank circulation (I have set them up to randomly come on (on on,on off) but never both off.

I seem to being topping up water every two weeks (about 20ltr) would this count as a water change.

Any advice would be great

**Seahorsedreams** · 02-16-2007, 01:29 PM

How big is your tank? What do you have in there? What test kits are you using? Is anything "missing"?

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmay

I seem to being topping up water every two weeks (about 20ltr) would this count as a water change.

No.

When was the last time you did a water change?

cmay · 02-16-2007, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seahorsedreams

How big is your tank? What do you have in there? What test kits are you using? Is anything "missing"?

60 gl

3 4 x spotted Damsels
1 Chalk goby
1 feather Duster
Clean up crew (Turbo Snails and Hermit Crabs)
LR
SSB

3000 LH sump flow
2 x 1100 LH power heads (circulation)

I'm using a Hagen Nutrafin Test Kit

Tank has been up and running for 3 months and i've only had my fish for two weeks.

I have not carried out any water changes as all levels have been 0 until now (do you think this would be a good idea)

I have not lost any live stock.

gwen_o_lyn · 02-17-2007, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmay

I seem to being topping up water every two weeks (about 20ltr) would this count as a water change.

no, because you aren't replacing lost supplements found in your salt mix. Taking out saltwater and removing the detritus along with replacing lost trace elements is very important.

For example, your fish use Iodine to survive. Once it's all used up in the system, it won't be replaced unless you are changing out the salt (which has IO in the mix.) Topping off with freshwater won't replace the Iodine in the system.

Have you brought the water to the fish store and had it tested ?

cmay · 02-18-2007, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gwen_o_lyn

replacing lost trace elements is very important. Have you brought the water to the fish store and had it tested ?

When i first purchased my cleanup crew I had my water checked by my LFS.

I guess I was under the illusion I would not need to start changing or replacing elements in my water so soon, I've just read some articles at Home - Reefkeeping Magazine Online regarding water management.

After reading seahorsedreams post I carried out a 20% water change and I have already noticed a small color change in my ammonia reading especially today and 2 of my polyps I thought may have been dead have open up again.

I will start regular % water changes and see if I can add iodine to my test kit and make sure I read and understand all other elements my tank require.

gwen_o_lyn · 02-21-2007, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmay

I will start regular % water changes and see if I can add iodine to my test kit and make sure I read and understand all other elements my tank require.

Save your money and skip the Iodine test. SW has a very small percentage of Iodine (.05ppm), and normal water changes will keep it in check. If you don't have a CA test kit, buy that next if you are doing a reef tank.

***Rob*** · 02-22-2007, 10:53 AM

yes, gwens remark on the iodine was an example.
the point is our tanks RO or Reef, are not self sustaining eco sytems. they need us to step in and fill the roles of feeding, cleaning and restocking with proper elements.

by doing the water change you get the opportunity to remove pollutants and detritus as gwen noted. then you get to add in new clean water with a fresh load of elements and trace elements. all of which is very important.

my recommendation is that you continue with 10-20% changes weekly

cmay · 02-22-2007, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob

yes, gwens remark on the iodine was an example.

my recommendation is that you continue with 10-20% changes weekly

I think im panicking to much, I must of read straight through the word "example" and bells starting to ring.

Especially when I look at the long list of trace elements IO mix

I will continue with a weekly water change, thanks all..

***Rob*** · 02-22-2007, 08:29 PM

no problem chris.. dont worry, none of like it or like to admit it, but we all make mistakes.. do what you can to prevent them, but they will happen, just learn from them, and teach others from them.. and you will be ok..

cmay · 02-23-2007, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob

no problem chris.. dont worry, none of like it or like to admit it, but we all make mistakes.. do what you can to prevent them, but they will happen, just learn from them, and teach others from them.. and you will be ok..

Thankfully I have a great forum to help me out..

cmay · 02-27-2007, 06:13 PM

I'm slightly unsure why my LR is not reducing my ammonia,

I now understand I need to replace trace elements and help reduce ammonia with water changes but why isn't my LR not reducing my ammonia levels via the nitrogen cycle, I have about 20 kilos at the moment with good water flow.

Is this because I do not have enough live rock.