How much of a water change can I do at one time?

mfp4073 · 08/08/2006, 01:49 PM

My ammonia levels are off the chart. Something went really wrong....have not figured it out yet....all critters are accounted for at this poing. I have a 20 gal. How much of a water change can I safely do at one time. Last night I did 2 seperate three gallon changes and then 2 seperate 5 gallon changes to no real result on brining down the ammonia. I dont want to shock everything in the system more than I should..but also need to do a pretty heavy change.

old salty · 08/08/2006, 01:58 PM

If your ammonia levels are off the chart, I really don't see the harm in doing a large water change. Ammonia in small amounts can be fatal to marine life; probably more so than some freshly made saltwater.

A 50% WC will reduce ammonia levels by 50%. I guess you would then have to ask yourself if this is acceptable, or do you need it even lower?

Yet another consideration would be if the test kit is functioning properly. For you know what's and giggles, test a fresh batch of SW and see how that reads for ammonia.

carman9941 · 08/08/2006, 02:23 PM

yea sound like a bad test kit, how old is the tank?
any live rock?

flameangel88 · 08/08/2006, 02:24 PM

Try testing good replacement saltwater as 'old salty' suggested or try a different test kit to double check.

If your ammonia is really that high then I wouldn't hesitate to change 50% today and test again tomorrow and change more if needed.

How long have you started this tank? Are you cycling right now? If you are then keep the ammonia level under one to speed up the cycle process.

mfp4073 · 08/08/2006, 02:32 PM

I am there with you in that I started not believing my kit. I tested 2 other tanks, a fresh batch of SW and a batch of fresh water just to see. All read normal.

The tank has been up 3 months (see thread here)
aaaaaahhhhhhggggg, something just nuked my tank....

Not completely sure what happened at this point. Will update the other thread.

flameangel88 · 08/08/2006, 02:42 PM

I would agree as on the other thrd to use something to help reduce the ammonia level quickly to a safe level first then try to find the cause. Use carbon, ammo chips etc.

mfp4073 · 08/08/2006, 02:49 PM

next water change in a few hours will be a "crazy mad discount superstore" size change.

08/08/2006, 01:49 PM	#1
mfp4073 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Winter Park, FL Posts: 1,506	How much of a water change can I do at one time? My ammonia levels are off the chart. Something went really wrong....have not figured it out yet....all critters are accounted for at this poing. I have a 20 gal. How much of a water change can I safely do at one time. Last night I did 2 seperate three gallon changes and then 2 seperate 5 gallon changes to no real result on brining down the ammonia. I dont want to shock everything in the system more than I should..but also need to do a pretty heavy change.

08/08/2006, 01:58 PM	#2
old salty Genius Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: The Island of Misfit Toys Posts: 3,131	If your ammonia levels are off the chart, I really don't see the harm in doing a large water change. Ammonia in small amounts can be fatal to marine life; probably more so than some freshly made saltwater. A 50% WC will reduce ammonia levels by 50%. I guess you would then have to ask yourself if this is acceptable, or do you need it even lower? Yet another consideration would be if the test kit is functioning properly. For you know what's and giggles, test a fresh batch of SW and see how that reads for ammonia. __________________ "The man who reads nothing at all is better educated than the man who reads nothing but newspapers." Thomas Jefferson Current Tank Info: Out of the marine aquarium hobby

08/08/2006, 02:49 PM	#7
mfp4073 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Winter Park, FL Posts: 1,506	next water change in a few hours will be a "crazy mad discount superstore" size change. __________________ Bristle worms are evil and need to be eradicated, at night they creep out of the tank and charge internet porn to your credit cards....ask me how I know. Anyone else notice that anthelia smells like fresh cut water chestnuts? ....they call me chad Current Tank Info: 1 crashed 75 gal..it was really beautiful while it lasted.

08/08/2006, 02:23 PM	#3
carman9941 Premium Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Cleveland Posts: 705	yea sound like a bad test kit, how old is the tank? any live rock?

08/08/2006, 02:24 PM	#4
flameangel88 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: NJ Posts: 3,998	Try testing good replacement saltwater as 'old salty' suggested or try a different test kit to double check. If your ammonia is really that high then I wouldn't hesitate to change 50% today and test again tomorrow and change more if needed. How long have you started this tank? Are you cycling right now? If you are then keep the ammonia level under one to speed up the cycle process.

08/08/2006, 02:32 PM	#5
mfp4073 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Winter Park, FL Posts: 1,506	I am there with you in that I started not believing my kit. I tested 2 other tanks, a fresh batch of SW and a batch of fresh water just to see. All read normal. The tank has been up 3 months (see thread here) aaaaaahhhhhhggggg, something just nuked my tank.... Not completely sure what happened at this point. Will update the other thread.

08/08/2006, 02:42 PM	#6
flameangel88 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: NJ Posts: 3,998	I would agree as on the other thrd to use something to help reduce the ammonia level quickly to a safe level first then try to find the cause. Use carbon, ammo chips etc.