Ammonia

[steve s]

I tested my water today using a Tetra pond test kit. The ph level was fine between 7.0 and 7.5, My nitrite again good at less than 0.3mg/l but my ammonia was between 0 - 0.25mg/l. I believe this to be slightly high. I dont understand it because Ive recently vacumed the pond from waste on the bottom, my filter is not blocked up, my pond isnt overstocked and im not overfeeding!! Ive done regular partial water changes over the last 2 months.

Any ideas? Also if Ammonia is high should nitrites be high to considering there is a link between them?

 

[addy1]

Ammonia is converted to nitrite, then to nitrate, which may take weeks.
Maybe it spiked because of stirring up the bottom. Try another partial water change see if that helps.

 

[koiguy1969]

you may have slowed the cycling of the pond and filter, by doing too many waterchanges. showing ammonia but no nitrates or nitrites means theres likely insufficient bacterial numbers to process the wastes and organics in a timely fashion. slow down or stop feeding for a few days. add a beneficial bacterial suppliment (optional but reccommended). and start light feedings after 4 or 5 days....and as always when it comes to filtration...bigger is better!

 

[steve s]

Sounds like good advice koiguy. Thanks

 

[KennethO]

I second on what koiguy said.

And did you feed your fish right before you tested the water by chance?