slight rise in ammonia level. help please

[davehead86]

My ammonia level has raised to .25ppm this week. I just did a 50 percent water change last week. My nitrites are at 0ppm and my nitrates are at between 5 and 10 ppm. We have been feeding two clown fish twice a day since they were introduced. Are we over feeding them? Would a protein skimmer help reduce this problem over the long term? I know it'll help make my water cleaner but will it remove the decomposing proteins leftover in the water?

I replaced obe of my filter pads today after finding these numbers and I'm planning on doing another water change today of 25 percent and grabbing a fee more snails from the store to help keep the algae under control. Hopefully this will help put it back at 0ppm.

 

[gone fishin]

What size tank do you have? A quality skimmer is never really a bad option. Depending on the test I often have a hard time differentiating from zero and very low levels, specifically API test.

 

[Marchillo]

What size tank do you have? A quality skimmer is never really a bad option. Depending on the test I often have a hard time differentiating from zero and very low levels, specifically API test.

+1

Trying to read ammonia tests has made me think I'm partially color blind.

How long has the tank been setup? How long did it cycle? You just have clownfish? How much Live Rock and Sand.

Those answers should help to determine it there is really a problem.

 

[davehead86]

+1

Trying to read ammonia tests has made me think I'm partially color blind.

How long has the tank been setup? How long did it cycle? You just have clownfish? How much Live Rock and Sand.

Those answers should help to determine it there is really a problem.

It's a 20 gallon high tank it has a aggroagite (?) bed of about 1.5 inches. I was using api tanks. It is a newer tank. It cycled for a month and then I added two clowns and a red serpent starfish they have been happy for a month. The clowns hate when I water change.

I just changed 20% and ran another test. Now it's at 0 again.

 

[Sounds Fishy]

In the first year of an aquarium ,ammonia can rise until the bacteria has established itself.Are you using live rock?A skimmer?The ammonia ideally should not be a problem after your tank has cycled,however since your tank is new ,it can occur .Have you checked your nitrite level and nitrate level?

 

[davehead86]

In the first year of an aquarium ,ammonia can rise until the bacteria has established itself.Are you using live rock?A skimmer?The ammonia ideally should not be a problem after your tank has cycled,however since your tank is new ,it can occur .Have you checked your nitrite level and nitrate level?

It's live rock no skimmer. Nitrite is 0 and nitrate is 10.

I've been saving for a skimmer. I know I need one.

I changed the water and it's back at zero. I'm going to feed the fish less frequently.

 

[Marchillo]

I think you'll be fine. Id invest in another test kit as well. Maybe a separate ammonia test kit. Red Sea is a popular one but there are others as well.

When in doubt I use a second or even third test kit.

 

[davehead86]

Thanks for the info.