Ammonia issue

[BarrWarr]

Hello,

My tank has been running now for about 5/6 weeks. Today, I noticed it was a bit smelly and several snails were out of the water or right at the water level. I tested a few things and it seems ammonia has spiked.

Previously, this was zero but was definitely higher due to the colour of the test (a drop test) result.

I added a new filter on Friday but I did add the sponge from my previous filter into the new (Oase filtosmart).

I’ve just done a 50-60% WC and I’ll test the ammonia later.

Could the new filter be the cause of the ammonia spike? Do I need to monitor this closely until levels are back to zero (and do large WC’s)?

I only have plants and snails and dose TNC complete when I do WC’s. I’m panicking a little that I may lose things now.

Any comments would be most welcomed.

Thanks.

 

[Bradders]

My tank has been running now for about 5/6 weeks. Today, I noticed it was a bit smelly and several snails were out of the water or right at the water level. I tested a few things and it seems ammonia has spiked.

What did it smell like? Is the water also gone cloudy? (Send a picture if you can of the full tank).

I added a new filter on Friday but I did add the sponge from my previous filter into the new (Oase filtosmart).

Was it like for like when added the sponge? i.e. did you have (as an example) 3 sponges in the old filter and added them all in the new one?

I’ve just done a 50-60% WC and I’ll test the ammonia later.
I only have plants and snails and dose TNC complete when I do WC’s. I’m panicking a little that I may lose things now.

If ammonia is high, you must (as you say) change the water frequently to reduce it. You still need to treat the water with a water conditioner, too. I would also check your tap water source is also not high in ammonia.

 

[BarrWarr]

It is difficult to describe, but certainly not like it did previously, slightly bitter smell I guess. My old filter only had one sponge so I added this into the first compartment of the the new filter. Water is not cloudy.

I always add Seachem Prime to any water I add to the tank. I’ll check the tap water for ammonia and keep testing the tank - how frequent should I be changing the water, twice a day, daily……….?

 

[Bradders]

It is difficult to describe, but certainly not like it did previously, slightly bitter smell I guess. My old filter only had one sponge so I added this into the first compartment of the the new filter. Water is not cloudy.

What was your old filter? Was it a canister? If so, assume the filter media was kept wet, and exposed to the air during the transition? (i.e. did not turn the old filter off for a few hours and leave without air).

I always add Seachem Prime to any water I add to the tank. I’ll check the tap water for ammonia and keep testing the tank - how frequent should I be changing the water, twice a day, daily……….?

It depends on your bioload. What was your Ammonia reading? 0.5, 1 or 3 PPM etc? However, if it was 2ppm, you would need to change the water by 75% to reach 0.5PPM etc.

 

[BarrWarr]

Bioload - I only have snails and plants. The ammonia read between 0.2-0.5.

I have tested tap water and that is zero for ammonia. Just retested tank after the WC and that seems to be zero now. But the smell is still there.

My previous filter was an internal one - Aquael pat mini. I removed the old filter, rinsed the sponge in water treated with Seachem and then placed it into the new filter. It was in the new filter sealed whilst I set up all the tubing, inlet/outlet.

 

[Bradders]

. It was in the new filter sealed whilst I set up all the tubing, inlet/outlet.

How long do you estimate it was in there sealed for?

I have tested tap water and that is zero for ammonia. Just retested tank after the WC and that seems to be zero now. But the smell is still there.

Take a small cup, dig down carefully deep into the substrate, and bring the cup out and sniff test. See if the smell intensifies for that substrate.

Lastly, anything died in there?

 

[BarrWarr]

I would say no more than an hour.

Only thing that may have died are snails. All my nerites are still present. My assassin snail has claimed a couple of ramshorn but I remove these shells. There’s plenty of bladder snails in there at the moment so I’m assuming some of these may have perished given their numbers.

Not sure how easy I can get into the substrate like that tbh.

 

[Bradders]

I would say no more than an hour.

Only thing that may have died are snails. All my nerites are still present. My assassin snail has claimed a couple of ramshorn but I remove these shells. There’s plenty of bladder snails in there at the moment so I’m assuming some of these may have perished given their numbers.

Not sure how easy I can get into the substrate like that tbh.

OK - i think this may be a case of keeping an eye on the ammonia levels, water changes and riding it out.

Not quite sure about the smell. It could either be the substrate or something within the filter. I guess you could open the filter and give the media a sniff test.

 

[BarrWarr]

Will do, thanks. In the new filter, I’ve got the old sponge, and the two sponges and ceramics that came with the filter. I’ve noticed the heater inside the filter needs to be set higher than what I want - it’s currently set to 28c but my tank is only measuring 22-23 (thermometer at each end).

I’m just concerned as to why a lot of the snails were above/at the surface.

 

[Bradders]

.I’m just concerned as to why a lot of the snails were above/at the surface.

It could be the ammonia if it's not normal behaviour for them. The water changes will be telling when the ammonia returns to acceptable levels.

In the new filter, I’ve got the old sponge, and the two sponges and ceramics that came with the filter.

Did the old filter only have 1 sponge? No other media?

 

[BarrWarr]

Correct, just a single relatively small sponge.

 

[Bradders]

Very odd. I think we may have to let this one evolve a little further!

 

[Maf 2500]

I would have cleaned the old sponge in a jug of tank water and poured the dirty water into the new canister to innoculate the new media. Either that or just put the sponge in dirty without cleaning any of the bio active mulm from it. Never mind though, it is too late to change it now. There are no fish or shrimp in the tank so technically it does not require "proper" filtration at this stage, just flow. You will have to wait some time before introducing fish but I am sure you know this already.

Not sure where your ammonia is coming from though? A few snails are not going to be producing tonnes of the stuff. Do you have one of the expensive aquasoils? - they release ammonia when new.

As @Bradders just said above, it does seem a bit odd. Just keep an eye on the ammonia levels and keep up the water changes, it is very likely just a blip.

 

[BarrWarr]

I have used the Tropica soil. I’m not planning on getting any fish, just inverts but I’ll wait a few weeks before adding any shrimp.

I think the soil may be the cause then - a few days ago, I added a few tablespoons of soil to an area but didn’t think much of it. That must be cause - I’m such a fool!

 

[hypnogogia]

it’s currently set to 28c but my tank is only measuring 22-23 (thermometer at each end).

If it’s an oase heat up heater then they can be calibrated.

 

[BarrWarr]

If it’s an oase heat up heater then they can be calibrated.

It’s the one that came with the filtosmart 100. Don’t seem to recall anything about calibration of the heater in the manual so maybe I need to read it again. If it isn’t possible to calibrate, do I trust the two thermometers in the tank (one is digital, one is old fashioned mercury type) and disregard the setting on the heater?

 

[hypnogogia]

It comes with the heat up 100 which can be calibrated. You should, however, always trust your thermometer over the temp scale on your heater.

 

[Bradders]

I think the soil may be the cause then - a few days ago, I added a few tablespoons of soil to an area but didn’t think much of it.

That could be it!