Water changes are the only way to have an immediate effect. If you can get some used filter media from someone and add that to your filter it will help speed the 'cycling' up.
Fish waste itself is not called ammonia, but it does produce ammonia as it decomposes. Fish excrete ammonia directly through their gills and urine, which can accumulate in aquatic environments. Ammonia is toxic to fish at high levels, making it essential for aquarists to manage waste and maintain water quality. Proper filtration and regular water changes help mitigate ammonia buildup in fish tanks.
There are home test kits available to measure ammonia levels in the water of aquariums and fish tanks. However, for testing ammonia levels in a home environment outside of fish tanks, it would be more practical and accurate to use professional testing services for safety and accuracy.
Fish waste includes ammonia (NH3), which breaks down into nitrites, then nitrates. Both in your store and at customers' homes, freshwater fish aquariums should be closely monitored for levels of these three waste products. Ammonia should test at zero in established tanks with sufficient nitrifying bacteria. However, ammonia can rise to very high concentrations in new tanks or when too many fish are added. Levels should be carefully monitored in new tanks and after adding fish, particularly in smaller tanks where waste can concentrate faster. Nitrite (NO2) and nitrate (NO3) should be monitored closely. Ammonia is broken down into nitrite, which is less toxic but still dangerous to fish at high levels. Nitrite is then broken down into nitrate by another type of bacteria, completing the nitrogen cycle. Nitrite generally is detected in only new tanks (during the initial phases of establishing nitrifying bacteria colonies) and when new fish are added. In established tanks, nitrite levels should test at zero as it breaks down into nitrate. Nitrate will accumulate in the aquarium over time but can be kept at safe levels by frequent partial water changes.
because its about to die :( soz
To prevent or manage an ammonia spike in a new tank, you can start by cycling the tank properly before adding fish. This involves establishing beneficial bacteria that break down ammonia. You can also add live plants to help absorb ammonia, perform regular water changes, and avoid overfeeding your fish. Testing the water regularly for ammonia levels can help you catch any spikes early and take corrective action.
For a freshwater tank, its safe to add fish after the the ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels are safe for fish. Ammonia and nitrite should be at 0 ppm and nitrate levels should be very low, under 50 ppm. You should also make sure that other parameters are safe for the species of fish that will be living in the tank.
The reason you aren't supposed to rinse filter media in tap water is because it will kill off all the good bacteria that reside there. The good bacteria is what turns the toxic ammonia your fish produce into nitrate, which is safe at low levels. Your water is probably murky due to a new bacteria bloom. Your tank is either having a mini cycle or cycling over again, so keep an eye on ammonia and do small water changes often to keep ammonia down. Your fish should be fine as long as you keep ammonia levels down (use a liquid test kit).
Well, honey, that stench of ammonia coming from your cooked fish is likely due to the breakdown of fish proteins into compounds like trimethylamine oxide. When these compounds break down further, they release that lovely ammonia smell. So next time you catch a whiff of that aroma, just remember it's nature's way of telling you to maybe not leave your fish in the fridge for too long before cooking it up.
Yes, GloFish are fish like any other and produce waste in the form of ammonia. However, the amount of ammonia produced will depend on the number of fish, tank size, and maintenance routine. It is important to monitor water parameters and perform regular water changes to keep ammonia levels in check.
A fish actually excretes ammonia dissolved in water. At the temperature and pressure that fish are normally found ammonia is a gas.
Ammonia levels should be at zero. Ammonia is never safe to have in an aquarium especially new fish. Transporting a fish generally causes some stress for them and with the addition of a water problem in their new home it could prove fatal. If this is a brand new tank it would be wise to cycle it fully before adding a fish.
When fish turn black, it means that their body has been harmed with too much ammonia. Ammonia to fish is like acid to human skin. The black you might be talking about is called ammonia burn, which makes the fish scales black. My comet goldfish has been through that before, although it lived. Nearly the whole body was black besides the core stomach area. If a fish has too much ammonia in it's water, it might die, because high ammonia levels are not good for fish, as well as it will make the fish black im the same person who asked the question. How does ammonia get into the water. From tap water?