How do I lower the Ammonia Level in my Fish Tank?

T

[email protected]

Guest
HI-
I have 10 gallon tank with 2 parrot fish, red tail shark and a tiny pleco in it. I took a sample of water to my local pet store and the PH and ammonia levels were extremely off. They suggested scrapping the tank and starting fresh. I bought a test kit and went to different store with the results. They said my PH was 5.4 and that it needed to be lowered before anything else so they had me get PH Down and add 5ml per HR for 5 hrs, until the PH was back into the acceptable range. This morning the Ph is between 6.8 and 7.0. I am afraid to add more PH down because I think it will go past 7.0. The ammonia level today is down from 8.0 to between 2.0 and 4.0. What should I do?
 
Take my suggestion and don't try to lower or raise the pH level. The first reading of pH is definitely an error. 5.4 is too acidic for any type of fish and will mean the death of any fish.

The reason for your ammonia is that you have such large bioload for such a small 10 gallon tank. The beneficial bacteria simply cann't handle the ammonia produce by those fishes.

Parrot fishes, pleco and red tails grow too large for 10 gallon. Even these 3 this small is too much for a 10 gallon tank. And that is the reason for the high ammonia. You will never be able to keep it down till your get rid of the fishes and get fishes suitable for 10 gallon.


-rds
 
they make PH balance drops you buy in a pet store

or... ammonia is a technically a base, you could simply add some vinegar (which is an acid) and that will help balance out the PH

vinegar is natural and a bacteria killer, it will not harm the fish, i even clean my fish tank with vinegar
 
Back
Top