Ammonia Not Going Down

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I did the fishless cycle until it was ready. I first introduced 3 Platty. All levels stayed at 0. After a week I introduced 3 more Platty. All levels remained at zero at first. I took 1 Platty back to the store as he had become aggressive. The ammonia had gone up and that is why I believe it happened. Anyway, I also found out that 6 Platty in a 10g were too many. Is 5 still too many?

Tank Size: 10g
Fish: 5 Platty
Tester: API Master Test Kit
Ammonia: 8?
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0
PH: 7.4
Filter: Aqueon Quiet Flow 10 (It was a smaller filter before, but I changed it to this and seeded it.)
Temp: 74-76 Light off, 76-78 Light on
Heater: I don't use a heater.
Plants: Fake
I use gravel.
Food: Freeze dried brine shrimp, tropical flakes, freeze dried bloodworms. I feed them once a day.


Do I need a bigger filter? What kind of filter should I get for my fish?

Edit: I do 20% water changes every week. Last week I did a 50%.

MetalArm3

I'm in the same boat as you. My ammonia has been at 8.0 on my new and old API Test Kit for over a month now. I have sinced stopped testing on account the fish will let you know if there's something wrong with your water parameters before you'll know it. If they are not showing any signs on ammonia poisoning like red gills, gasping for air, or any other unusual behaviors than you are fine. I dont know if ammonia can cause increase aggression/agitation but I have red wag Platties and one likes to chase the others around the tank (nothing physical). Hopefully others will pop in with ideas

Good Luck,
MetalArm3

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Thanks for your response. Though I am pretty sure one of my Platty has developed Ich. There are two white spots on the top. Spots as in small circular growths. I read up on it and they appear when the fish are stressed.And the fish can be stressed if the water is not right. So, that's just great. I'll be going to the pet store tomorrow to look at medications for it >>

iamgray

You could add live plants to help with the ammonia. In a smaller tank you will see more of a spike when you add a few fish at a time. Plants will help process that ammonia.

Personally I don't think 5 platies are too many for a 10g but I wouldn't add any more fish. But seeing as they're livebearers, you may find yourself with many more platies in a short amount of time if you've got both males and females in the group. Do you have a plan for dealing with the fry? As far as the aggression... I have never seen an aggressive platy but with any livebearers I've had, I've always made sure the ratio is at least 2 females for every male, because the females will get chased alot and it is better to have more to spread out the chasing.

Byron

You are at your max with 5 platy in a 10g. Live plants would help with this too.

On the ammonia, it cannot possibly be 8ppm or the fish would all be very dead. At a level as low as 0.5 there will be permanent gill damage, and 1ppm usually leads to fairly quick demise of fish if this level is sustained. Something must be wrong with the testing. Which water conditioner are you using? And is any other substance going in the tank water (like ammonia detoxifier, etc)?

A 40-50% water change every week is advisable in your situation. Fast-growing live plants would allow you to reduce this a bit.

Byron.

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I have one male and four females.

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Sorry, there is supposed to be a "." in there. o.8. I use API Stress coat as a conditioner and API Ammo lock. I also use the API Aquarium salt for fresh water as directed. My fish have also developed ich so I am in the process of treaty that as well.

MetalArm3

Oh man this is too perfect! Sorry to here about the Ich outbreak, but we have the sane identical problem as I said before. I have a .8ppm ammo reading on my API Liquid test kit. I used Ammo-Loc up until a month ago after learning it gives you false readings,and I am also fighting Ich. The only difference is you are using salt where as I'm not. I hope you find the answer (if you do let me know).

Hang in there man,
MetalArm3
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TwinDad

Define "false" readings. Ammo-Lock to my understanding converts the Ammonia to Ammonium a less toxic form. But ammonia/ammonium is still in the tank and your kit reads both. I would suggest looking for a few plants to help remove the ammonia/ammonium.

What are the levels of nitrites and nitrates?

Restricted Evidence

Maybe it is reading ammonium as ammonia?

They are 0 as I have stated above.