Okay, I am officially putting out an SOS. I have been scouring forums, online help, etc trying to solve this problem, but I'm getting no where.
Problem: Ammonia does not go down. Just keeps going up. I would give an exact ppm on ammonia, but it goes up every day and I do water changes to try to keep it down. I can say that it has gotten to 8ppm before.
Setup: 1 Axie in a 20 gallon tank, sponge filter, temp stays around 61-64 degrees Fahrenheit
Story: So, I thought I cycled my tank before I got him, but I guess I didn't? Once I realized the problem, at first I was trying to keep up with the growing ammonia with him in the tank by doing 50% water changes daily. It helps, but I don't think it's enough since my tap water has 1ppm ammonia in it already. Eventually, I ended up taking him out of the tank to do a clean cycle. I kept him in a bowl for 3 weeks (with daily water changes) while I tried to properly cycle my tank. I put heaters in the tank because I heard cold water can slow the cycling process. Then eventually, through water changes and daily testing, I was able to get my tank to the point that any ammonia I put in would switch to nitrites then nitrates. So, I put him back in the tank. Stayed pretty hands off for a week, just testing the water daily, and the ammonia just kept going up. Now, I'm back at square one where ammonia is getting too high to keep up with and I'd really rather not take him out again.
Note: I am cleaning the filter with only aquarium water.
Possible Theory: Maybe it's a problem with the filter? This is my first time using a sponge filter, so I'm not too familiar with them. I don't think its faulty because when I ring it out in the aquarium water (outside the tank) the water definitely gets much darker. This is the filter I'm using:
www.chewy.com
So, final note, I'm begging you, please help me help my little man.
Problem: Ammonia does not go down. Just keeps going up. I would give an exact ppm on ammonia, but it goes up every day and I do water changes to try to keep it down. I can say that it has gotten to 8ppm before.
Setup: 1 Axie in a 20 gallon tank, sponge filter, temp stays around 61-64 degrees Fahrenheit
Story: So, I thought I cycled my tank before I got him, but I guess I didn't? Once I realized the problem, at first I was trying to keep up with the growing ammonia with him in the tank by doing 50% water changes daily. It helps, but I don't think it's enough since my tap water has 1ppm ammonia in it already. Eventually, I ended up taking him out of the tank to do a clean cycle. I kept him in a bowl for 3 weeks (with daily water changes) while I tried to properly cycle my tank. I put heaters in the tank because I heard cold water can slow the cycling process. Then eventually, through water changes and daily testing, I was able to get my tank to the point that any ammonia I put in would switch to nitrites then nitrates. So, I put him back in the tank. Stayed pretty hands off for a week, just testing the water daily, and the ammonia just kept going up. Now, I'm back at square one where ammonia is getting too high to keep up with and I'd really rather not take him out again.
Note: I am cleaning the filter with only aquarium water.
Possible Theory: Maybe it's a problem with the filter? This is my first time using a sponge filter, so I'm not too familiar with them. I don't think its faulty because when I ring it out in the aquarium water (outside the tank) the water definitely gets much darker. This is the filter I'm using:
HIKARI Bacto-Surge High Density Foam Filter, Small - Chewy.com
Buy Hikari Bacto-Surge High Density Foam Filter, Small at Chewy.com. FREE shipping and the BEST customer service!
So, final note, I'm begging you, please help me help my little man.
