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    emilyh's Avatar
    emilyh Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    May 9, 2009, 10:00 AM
    High Ammonia in my Aquarium
    I've been having trouble setting up a 37 gallon aquarium. An employee at a fish store suggested that I drain the tank and start over. He told me to add nothing to the tank except Ammonia detox, wait 2 weeks, then add "smart start" which is bacteria and then add a couple of fish within 24 hours and then wait another week or so to add more fish. So, I re-started it 2 days ago and the ammonia levels have been rising ever since. Yesterday it was at 1.0 ppm and today it is at 4.0 ppm. Is this supposed to be happening? Should I just keep waiting or is there something else I should do to control the ammonia? At this point there are no fish in the tank at all.
    shazamataz's Avatar
    shazamataz Posts: 6,642, Reputation: 1244
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    #2

    May 9, 2009, 10:24 AM

    Hi emily...
    Check out this thread, it's all about the cycles aquariums go through:

    https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/other-...cle-77553.html

    Also, when setting up a brand new tank it is best to wait 6 weeks before putting any fish in it... this gives the tank time to settle into the cycle :)

    Also, are you adding a water conditioner to the tank? This removes chlorine and other nasties from tap water.
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