Ammonia Buffer?????

[sentencedme]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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....