Ammonia Spike And Nitrates - The Ultimate Guide!
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Published 2022-12-02
LOWER YOUR AMMONIA NOW!
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Ammonia, NH3, is an invisible chemical that is highly toxic to your fish. Unfortunately, it also occurs naturally in every aquarium. As organic waste begins to break down, it releases ammonia. The only way to avoid ammonia is to not own a fish tank. Fortunately, in a healthy aquarium, nature takes care of ammonia for you. This process forms part of the nitrogen cycle. Ammonia exists in an aquarium in two forms: free or unionized ammonia (NH3) and ionized ammonia, called ammonium (NH4). Free ammonia is highly toxic compared to ammonium (not that this means you can relax if your ammonia is in the form of ammonium), and the proportion of toxic to less toxic ammonia depends on several factors, the most important being pH and temperature.
In nature, nitrate in water remains very low, generally well below 5 ppm. In freshwater aquariums, nitrates should be kept below 50 ppm at all times, and preferably below 20 ppm. If you are breeding fish, or are battling algae growth, keep nitrate even lower, below 10 ppm. Fish will feel the impact of nitrate by the time levels reach 100 ppm, particularly if these levels persist. The resulting stress leaves fish more susceptible to disease and inhibits their ability to reproduce. High nitrate levels are especially harmful to fry and young fish and will negatively affect their growth. Furthermore, the same conditions that cause elevated nitrate often cause decreased oxygen levels, which further stress the fish.
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All Comments (21)
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Fantastic video man, thanks!
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Great information !!
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Love the videos man
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Nice, well done video, I'm excited for next week's livestream 👍
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Thanks!
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I officially became a member! 🎉woohoo!!! 😂
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37 gallon tank. How much water do I get out for the nitrate?
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Solid advice bro :-)
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What are the white circles in the tanks?
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"I keep saying Prime". Just keep doing it. They'll have to throw you some money eventually. Nitrite tests are only good for cycling. You test daily and start cussing that it's still there instead of nitrate then never think about it again.
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I had to get spring water for my tanks. It's a lot of spring water when you consider water changes but it's worth it. The Ph is practically zero in these so make sure to add calcium carbonate or other Ph boosting substance (but not too much).
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I think I may have rushed my cycle or the cycle crashed. In my blue dream 6 gal tank. I’m reading about 2ppm ammonia. 0 nitrites, and around 30mm nitrate. I quickly dosed prime and stability. It’s day 2 now and it’s the same reading. I’m using api master test kit. Should I do a bit water change or let the nitrogen cycle do it’s thing and continue to dose with prime and stability?
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I have an Ammonia spike in my tank but my nitrite and nitrates are very low, what do I do? I did 20% water change yesterday and today but it seems to be higher
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My tap water is at about 6 ph... which skramps would work best without having to alter it too much?
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What is your view on dirted tank? Is it worth it or is it too difficult to manage the ammonia and nitrate levels?
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Hello. I am presently dealing with a ammonia spike. It seems to be coming down from 2.ppm to .50 ppm- 1.0 ppm. I use quick start but mostly Stability for beneficial bacteria once a day. My tank seems to be going through a new tank syndrome. It has already ran a cycle. Now this again. 4 small corrydoras & 1 angelfish in my 90 gallon. I feed once a day. Any words of wisdom? This is my 1st time watcher. I left you a little thanks. Respectfully, Martin
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dude i was trying to grow water sprite then realized i had a big bag of ammonia remover in my filter lol
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Why is the camera so shaky?
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The term is "Et Cetera" not Excetra. I want espresso not expresso.
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Putting this out here for whoever may need it- bubbles in the tank can be an indicator of an ammonia spike! I didn’t know this until recently 🥲
