Ammonia Buffer?????

sentencedme · 09/07/2008, 06:47 PM

Just tested my water for my FOWLR.....

Nitrite....0
Ammonia...... .5-1ppm
Nitrate.... 20
Ph....... 8.2

Could the ammonia levels trigger hemarraging on my yellow tang???? Did a water change a few days ago. Should i worry about the ammonia level at this range or is there a buffer that will bring it down to 0 again?????

kfisc · 09/07/2008, 07:16 PM

I know of no buffer, but it's important to ID the source of the high ammonia and nitrates- water flow? Over feeding? The old answer of getting to the cause-

sentencedme · 09/07/2008, 07:20 PM

Will the ammonia lower after id'ing the problem........overfeeding, etc????? flow is pretty good. I did have my skimmer off for a week due to some medication treatment MELAFIX I've put in the tank for about 5 days. I think this could have been the problem.....

Toddrtrex · 09/07/2008, 07:28 PM

I am not familiar with MELAFIX, but I am wondering if that killed off some of your bacteria, which would explain the ammonia readings. And yes, that could play a role in what is happening with your tang, though it might not be the direct cause. Thinking that the decreased water quality has stressed the tang.

otrlynn · 09/07/2008, 07:42 PM

I believe I'd be doing a water change, maybe 20% as soon as I could get some new saltwater made up and aerated with a powerhead or airstone for a couple of hours to dilute that ammonia. Also, if you have Amquel or Ammo-lock that will reduce the toxicity of the ammonia.

sentencedme · 09/07/2008, 08:07 PM

I have the skimmer running now....it's pulling out some nasty stuff.......I just did a water change 3 days ago......25%. Should I do another this early????? I'll get ammo lock tomorrow. Water flow is good with my gen x 40 1200 gph.....and 2 koralia 2's. Once again. i think the skimmer being off created this problem.....now that it's on can it alleviate the problem????. Now as I did some research, The nitrates are eventually converted to ammonia if not removed from the water am I right? Since my nitrates are at 20 ppm....and have been this steady since I've had a tank should should I do the water change immediately again???? Can you provide some steps as far as my next course of action....

reefergeorge · 09/07/2008, 08:25 PM

I would add some prime or ammonia lock right away. Water changes will have little effect. Unless you do very large ones (75%+).
How old is the tank?
You have the ammonia thing backwards. Ammonia is converted to nitrites, then nitrates, then removed by WCs.

sentencedme · 09/07/2008, 09:48 PM

I have the skimmer running now....it's pulling out some nasty stuff.......I just did a water change 3 days ago......25%. Should I do another this early????? I'll get ammo lock tomorrow. Water flow is good with my gen x 40 1200 gph.....and 2 koralia 2's. Once again. i think the skimmer being off created this problem.....now that it's on can it alleviate the problem????. Now as I did some research, The nitrates are eventually converted to ammonia if not removed from the water am I right? Since my nitrates are at 20 ppm....and have been this steady since I've had a tank should should I do the water change immediately again???? Can you provide some steps as far as my next course of action....

09/07/2008, 06:47 PM	#1
sentencedme Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Alsip, illinois Posts: 535	Ammonia Buffer????? Just tested my water for my FOWLR..... Nitrite....0 Ammonia...... .5-1ppm Nitrate.... 20 Ph....... 8.2 Could the ammonia levels trigger hemarraging on my yellow tang???? Did a water change a few days ago. Should i worry about the ammonia level at this range or is there a buffer that will bring it down to 0 again?????

09/07/2008, 07:28 PM	#4
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	I am not familiar with MELAFIX, but I am wondering if that killed off some of your bacteria, which would explain the ammonia readings. And yes, that could play a role in what is happening with your tang, though it might not be the direct cause. Thinking that the decreased water quality has stressed the tang. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

09/07/2008, 07:42 PM	#5
otrlynn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Chester County PA Posts: 1,508	I believe I'd be doing a water change, maybe 20% as soon as I could get some new saltwater made up and aerated with a powerhead or airstone for a couple of hours to dilute that ammonia. Also, if you have Amquel or Ammo-lock that will reduce the toxicity of the ammonia. __________________ Lynn 1 horse, 1 dog, 2 cats, small pond with a few koi. The fish tank is gone.

09/07/2008, 08:25 PM	#7
reefergeorge Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: St Louis MO Posts: 4,222	I would add some prime or ammonia lock right away. Water changes will have little effect. Unless you do very large ones (75%+). How old is the tank? You have the ammonia thing backwards. Ammonia is converted to nitrites, then nitrates, then removed by WCs. __________________ $35-50 for a <1" frag of some stupid named thing that came from a colony you bought for $40-60 wholesale and chopped into 20-40 pieces? No thanks. "JasonH" Current Tank Info: 125 aggressive reef, DIY led lighting, swc cone skimmer, 33 gallon sump, posiden Ps3 return.

09/07/2008, 07:16 PM	#2
kfisc Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 2,020	I know of no buffer, but it's important to ID the source of the high ammonia and nitrates- water flow? Over feeding? The old answer of getting to the cause-

09/07/2008, 07:20 PM	#3
sentencedme Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Alsip, illinois Posts: 535	Will the ammonia lower after id'ing the problem........overfeeding, etc????? flow is pretty good. I did have my skimmer off for a week due to some medication treatment MELAFIX I've put in the tank for about 5 days. I think this could have been the problem.....

09/07/2008, 08:07 PM	#6
sentencedme Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Alsip, illinois Posts: 535	I have the skimmer running now....it's pulling out some nasty stuff.......I just did a water change 3 days ago......25%. Should I do another this early????? I'll get ammo lock tomorrow. Water flow is good with my gen x 40 1200 gph.....and 2 koralia 2's. Once again. i think the skimmer being off created this problem.....now that it's on can it alleviate the problem????. Now as I did some research, The nitrates are eventually converted to ammonia if not removed from the water am I right? Since my nitrates are at 20 ppm....and have been this steady since I've had a tank should should I do the water change immediately again???? Can you provide some steps as far as my next course of action....

09/07/2008, 09:48 PM	#8
sentencedme Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Alsip, illinois Posts: 535	I have the skimmer running now....it's pulling out some nasty stuff.......I just did a water change 3 days ago......25%. Should I do another this early????? I'll get ammo lock tomorrow. Water flow is good with my gen x 40 1200 gph.....and 2 koralia 2's. Once again. i think the skimmer being off created this problem.....now that it's on can it alleviate the problem????. Now as I did some research, The nitrates are eventually converted to ammonia if not removed from the water am I right? Since my nitrates are at 20 ppm....and have been this steady since I've had a tank should should I do the water change immediately again???? Can you provide some steps as far as my next course of action....