can't get amonia under 0.25

cmarshall

It's a 12 gal eclipse... I have a total of seven fish: 2 platys, 1 algae eater, 4 neon treta.

I've changed the filter, removed bio-wheel thinking it maybe contaminated. There are fake plants in the tank. Several days ago I did a 50% water change...didn't help. I don't over feed my fish, so there's no rotting food in the tank. In the last two days I've done two 20% water changes still at 0.25

Fish seem to be fine and not acting stressed. Can't say the same for me, as every article I've read say no ammonia at all.

Any help would be appreciated!

Tazman

Is your algae eater the Chinese Algae Eater?

cmarshall

Yes.

fish monger

I'd leave the filter alone and put the bio wheel back on it. Keep doing the 20% water changes every other day and see how it looks in a week.

Tazman

Remove the CAE, they create an awful lot of waste and are NOT suitable for a 12g tank.

mrbprint

You may not be getting an accurate test result for one reason or another. Also test your tap water.

cmarshall

I did test my tap water and it was normal, but thanks for your imput

cmarshall

But he's so tiny, not more than one inch long. How can a little guy like that create so much waste?

Tazman

" removed bio-wheel thinking it maybe contaminated"

This is the single most point on the filter that good bacteria grow...I suspected that by removing it you have caused a mini cycle as there is no more good bacteria.

By contaminated, what do you mean?

The CAE will simply grow too big for that tank.

cmarshall

I'm beginning to think, from your comment, that he's not CAE. I've had him for about 6 mths and he hasn't grown.

I am so screwing up with this tank...in my misguided way of thinking that by removing the bio-wheel, I'd be removing any leftover ammonia and replaced the filter to boot, so now I've really sent the tank into a new cycle. Thankful I don't have a tankful of fish.