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Hello. Ive read all the ammo threads and still have no answers to my question. I have a 55 with probs. 4 angels(9"total),Royal plec(5",L-264 plec(2",and 3 USDcats(4.5"total). Then I added 7 clown loaches(3-3",1-2",3-1.5". Well I've lost 3 clowns in 2 days. Nitrites were 0, Nitrates were 25. So I decided to test for ammo(tank has been runnin for 13 months). I'm color blind to a point. JUNGLE quick dip is GOLD to me. Not stress .5 or harmfull 3.0 so I used fresh lab(red sea)1, and it appeared to me as 1.0 or higher. So after the same reading on my 120 I decided to test my tap water. Same reading in color as 3 tanks(gold). So what do you suggest? have started ammolock in all tanks for fear of contaminated H2O. What to add to "new" H2O at water changes(currently Stress Coat and now ammolock)? TANK:Whisper 30/60,Penguin 330,12" airstone, 80 degrees F, PH 8.0 . My tap water is high PH and hard, but stable. Cannot afford bottled water for 200+ Gals. Any help appreciated.(well I guess not stable as there is ammo in there now).

I think, if you added all those clown loaches at once, the bioload just must've flipped out. You really shouldn't add that many fish at one time, it messes everything up.

Adding the 7 clowns all @once is likely what gave you an ammonia spike. Had you q-tined the clowns @all prior to placing them in the tank? If not they could have been ill and brought something with them (which is why you're always supposed to qtine).

I'd switch to a different water conditioner from stress coat to one that 1). doesn't use aloe, and 2). handles both chlorine and chloramine. The ammolock may be giving you a false reading on the ammonia as it simply neutralizes it but does not convert it or remove it.

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OK, I get what you 2 say by addin all the clowns at once. But maybe I didn't get across that this is happenin in all 3 tanks I use with tap water. Except no deaths or sighns of stress in any other fish than the clowns. Just took more readings from Fresh Lab by Red Sea. All 3 tanks and tap water are reading .5 PPM (again I'm colorblind to a point but readings are not white=0 or orange=1.0). And when I use Jungle Ammo Test Strips all tanks and tap water seem to match(GOLD). I believe my tap water has ammo in it. Never did before, but I dont test it much unless probs occur. OK Babel what do you use to "purify" your water, as I only have used stress coat which supposedly does chlorine ,chloramine, and heavy metals and have had no ammo probs till now(fish keepin for 1.5 years).Water ready for next change is treated with ammolock also(always treat my water for 24HRS before changing).Again just lookin for possible answers , any help appreciated.

I use AP tap water conditioner, 1 drop per gallon. You might want to try taking water samples from each tank, as well as tap to the LFS and see if they'll test for you (I know not all LFS's can be trusted).

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Great idea! I will do that and also my wife is returning so I will have her look at some test results from my 2 test kits(as she is not unfortunatly colorblind as I am). THX and DUUUU I should have thought about that 24HRS earlier.

I was going to suggest someone else looking @it but figured you might have thought of that already :%)....I've been known to wander around the office with a test tube and the color chart demanding everyones opinion on the color, not cause I can't tell but cause I think I might be biased towards the outcome .

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Clown Loaches have to be acclimated for at least an hour before placing in the tank...

If you did not acclimate slowly over that period of time the young Clowns will die from pH shock.

--garyroland.

Update: Very sad as I now have lost all clowns,2 USD cats and 1 angel. Well the ammo in my tap water is going down(now at .25 ppm) it was definatly higher as my wife read both test results over last couple days. Question= Does that AP tap water additive detoxify ammo also?,as Im goin to pet store to get new tap safe stuff. Maybe my biofilters took a shot for the worse and is not removing changed ammo. Maybe I will get ammo clear filter insert for baskets in 330 or ammo chips for floss bags in 30/60. Will active carbon conflict with ammo removers? I have added weekly dose of NI Cycle with todays water change. 120 gal seems fine as I did treat with ammo lock same day as 55 and 30 gal. No deaths in any other tank. I just got a dig cam and will take pics of my remainig fish in 55 and show you guys to see if any sighs of stress(ie red streaks). Going to Cali. on WED so may remove fish to other tanks if tests are bad on Tues. Will post readings with pics later today. Thx for any help.

Sorry for your losses!

I use Seachem Prime. The product neutralizes chlorine, chloramine, ammonia and nitrites/nitrates. Dosage is 1 ml per 10 USG and is extremely cost effective with other products at that dosage. My treatment is 1 ml per 20 USG and have not experienced any negative effects.

It is likely that your tap water registers some level of ammonia and/or nitrites/nitrates. Test it regularly and maintain a "diary" of your readings. Your local water utility can provide a report on your tap water but the report will provide a range of values for many minerals and tests.

Carefully examine the fish that have died to see if you can spot symptoms of ammonia poisoning. Areas to watch for are eroded fin edges and inflamed gills with "gasping" of the gills.

Although you fear ammonia in your tap water, I strongly recommend that you increase the amount and frequency of your water changes. Many hobbyists feel that topping off tanks or the "standard of 10% to 20% weekly is great. I recommend a minimum of two 20% water changes per week or even every other day. The more frequent your water changes, the cleaner your water, the healthier your fish!

__________
"To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research."
researched from Steven Wright

Well I just got back from Cali. and no more deaths..I am back to 20% weekly water changes as past 2-3 months I was doin every 2 weeks.Top off tanks mid week.I changed my water conditioner also. Must have been a combination of ammo in my tap and the intro of the clowns at once. Just did not expect that much of an impact due to the filters turnin over bout 11 times. Also my current stock is only bout 20". Well anyhooo I'm gonna try some clowns again(4) and leave the angels at 3 as there is no signs of aggression, and this time acclimate longer.Thanxs for the help peeps.BTW current stock is 3 angels, 1 L-264,1 royal plec,1 USD cat.