How to lower ammonia levels in a fish tank
In an established aquarium ammonia levels should be zero, but if you are having problems here are a few ideas.
-If you are getting a reading for ammonia levels then you should perform a 25% water change to introduce clean water back into your system.
-Clean your canister filter using water from the tank. Tap water will kill all the healthy bacteria inside the filter media and make all of your problems worse.
-Use RO water when performing a water change.
-Check the tank for any dead fish that may be helping to spike your ammonia levels.
-Starve the fish for a couple of days so that you are not introducing anything else that can help to raise ammonia levels. After this make sure you do not over feed your fish. The food which is not eaten will help to feed your ammonia problems.
-Consider introducing a cleaner shrimp or something that will help to clean the tank on a permanent basis.
-Make sure your canister filter is adequate for your particular tank size.
-Clean your canister filter using water from the tank. Tap water will kill all the healthy bacteria inside the filter media and make all of your problems worse.
-Use RO water when performing a water change.
-Check the tank for any dead fish that may be helping to spike your ammonia levels.
-Starve the fish for a couple of days so that you are not introducing anything else that can help to raise ammonia levels. After this make sure you do not over feed your fish. The food which is not eaten will help to feed your ammonia problems.
-Consider introducing a cleaner shrimp or something that will help to clean the tank on a permanent basis.
-Make sure your canister filter is adequate for your particular tank size.
If the ammonia levels persist do another 25% water change using RO water a couple of days after the first water change.