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ammonia levels

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my tank has been cycled now for around 4 weeks yesterday when i tested the stats they were
ammonia 0.25
nitrite 0
nitrate 20ppm
ph 6.8
i done a 20% water change yesterday with a gravel vac tested today again and ammonia was around the same the only thing that i have changed doing was give them bloodworm one day and flake the next day would that make any difference to the ammonia levels. would that be to much food i have added 2 guppies to the tank since it cycled i noticed yesterday that a plattie was hanging around the bottom alot but not as much today
5 platys
5 guppys
3 zebra danios
6 cardinal tetras
3 flame tetras
1 red tail shark
2 suckers
1 female fighter

thanks for the help in advance

Hey arry,
Could be a few things. The easiest thing to do is test your tap water, there could be ammonia present there.
A second problem could be that you are causing a mini cycle by overcleaning your tank when you do maintence and thereby eleminating some of your biofilter.
You mentioned "suckers" any idea on what they actually are? There are many fish that are generally called by that name and most are too large for anyting under a 55 gallon US. The bloodworm and or overfeeding may be causing a jump in ammonia levels after the cycle finished.

Another thing to look at is what type of filtration you have on the tank. You didnt mention what sized tank or filter, that can play a part in this problem as well.

^_^

Yes, If the "suckerfish" you are refering too is a pleco, then that might be part of the problem. Plecos are dirty fish. I know from experiance. But they are soooo cute. Eveytime I see a new species at the LFS, I have to buy it.
Usually .25ppm of ammonia is acceptable. I have a 46g that is heavly planted and just over half stocked when it comes to capacity, but the tank always runs at .25ppm.none of my other tanks run that high, except right after feeding. The filtration seems be adequate, but .25ppm none the less.
The best advice I can give you, is too keep a close eye on the ammonia and the fish. If you are using a filter that came with the kit, you may need to up grade filtration. Only one store that I know that has a kit that comes with a decent filter is PetSupermarket. The kits come with Emporer bio-wheel filters. The Wal-mart kits are severly under filtered. Its great if you keep 2 kish in the setup, but little else.

Wish you luck.


"There is also a Clown Pleco in this tank some where. I am telling you, HE IS IN HERE."

OK, just a few questions. what size is your tank? are you using any products like water conditioners or ammo-loc? did you cycle the tank with all those fish in it? what kind of test are you using? Absolutely test your tap water. these days many municipalities are putting chlorine or chloramine or both in the water supply. Chloramine is a mixture of ammonia and chlorine. that could be the source. If using something like ammo loc or another ammonia "remover" that could also be the problem. produts like this only bind the ammonia up to make less toxic and easier to remove or something. they don't remove it itself and will read a false positive.

I own a 75 gallon tank FYI with oscars inside if you wish to know. Depending on how much time I have, I would use water conditioner to treat the tap water. However I would personally instead of using the conditioner age the water. These conditioner could contain these questionable chemicals that may harm the fish. Considering it like prescription drugs over fruit we would eat, it be the same. So having the water aged or setting it outside could have it naturally remove the chlorine. Otherwise it would be up to you.

McCollum

Hi,
Only one caveat - Chloramine is not removed by simply
aging the water. Aging the water will remove chlorine
and if you place an operating air stone in the aging water
the chlorine will dissipate into the atmosphere even faster.

Chloramine must be removed by the use of one of the water
conditioners.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

I agree with Frank. Aging would only remove a certain percent of it. COnditioner may help and aide the dissipation. But it would not hurt to try to just use it the natural way.

McCollum