Ammonia: is 0.021 mg/l of Free Ammonia normal?

[evilfry]

Hi All

I've been using Seneye monitoring device on my tank for more than a year. Would say for the couple of months, been hovering around 0.012-0.018mg/l.

Until recently it's been at 0.02mg/l. Not sure if this is a concern

5x2.5x2 tank with 1 xb and 3 plecos. Sump with lots of biohomme plus, eheim substrates pro, etc. Pump: eheim 1262, plus 1 x OF hydra stream

weekly at least twice 20% WC, feed SW once a day only, pellets for plecos.

any advice appreciated. thanks in advance!

[canopy]

what's the PPM? 20ppm?

[Dave57]

0.021mg/l free ammonia should be 0.021 ppm NH3-N.

TS, if its free ammonia, you have to reduce it as soon as possible.
Free ammonia concentration is dependent on total ammonium concentration and pH.
At higher pH, more ammonium is converted to free ammonia and vice versa at lower pH.
To lower free ammonia, you reduce pH or total ammonium.

Free ammonia is toxic to fishes above 0.02mg/l

[evilfry]

thanks Dave. I've been doing alternate 20% WC for past 2 weeks but doesn't drop! during WC using Seachem Safe as well

I will get another Ammonia meter (maybe the Seachem one) and put side by side and do another WC...

Thanks!

[PNT Guy]

Maybe u can try dosing some bbs

[Dave57]

bbs = baby brine shrimp?

[evilfry]

Thanks pnt bro. I used to dose biozym every wc then I thought if that's really necessary. My tank only has 4 occupants and I feed once a day . However last night I dosed some, today no diff in readings. Maybe do an ammonia test kit first to confirm readings before doing anything else drastic

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[PNT Guy]

Originally Posted by Dave57

bbs = baby brine shrimp?

BBs. Lazy put caps on the "B". Haha, Beneficial Bacterias

Originally Posted by evilfry

Thanks pnt bro. I used to dose biozym every wc then I thought if that's really necessary. My tank only has 4 occupants and I feed once a day . However last night I dosed some, today no diff in readings. Maybe do an ammonia test kit first to confirm readings before doing anything else drastic

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Agreed, do update us. Test with the liquid drop tester.


PS. Also the seneye sensor thing should be replaced once every month, could it be that reason?

[angelo]

I'm using BIOZYM too. How much did you add?

[evilfry]

ok i went to buy Seachem ammonia alert and stuck it at on the tank. Shows "Safe" zone Skipped having the liquid drop tester though

Now it's most likely my Seneye slide out of calibration liao, going to get new slides today and will update everyone again.

Typically for Biozym i add 8 capsules

PNT bro, yes should be replaced every month but i was lazy and didnt. Strange thing though is that it kinda continued working for 270+ days, even the alerts! Ha ha, don't want to be cheapskate already better change and see if this could be the issue.