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Ammonia- What's the True Story?

I've been reading blogs and watching YouTube videos hearing about how ammonia is a killer to your fish. I've tried to take it to heart and try to keep tabs on my ammonia levels. I have an 2 IBCs and 2- 45 gallon aquariums with tilapia fingerlings. My ammonia levels in the aquariums are constantly going high(I mean real high) between 2-5 ppm, sometimes for days. Even so my nitrites are 0 and nitrates are about100. I have never lost a fish. I just did a 20 gallon out 10 gallon in swap ( didn't have enough water ready) and the ammonia is still high. My question is "HAS ANYONE EVER LOST FISH IN A CYCLED TANK TO AMMONIA"? Mine should have died a dozen times.

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Permalink Reply by Vlad Jovanovic on October 28, 2014 at 11:39am

Sorry it took so darn long Jeff, but I just now saw your question...Potassium bicarbonate (KHCO3) would be a good buffer.

Jeff S said:

I'm using a digital tester for PH. I have a 1cu.ft. grow bed and an aquarium filter (rated 50 gallons) that I replaced the carbon pads with poly fiber and still have the bio screens in. What is a good buffer?

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Permalink Reply by Jeff S on October 28, 2014 at 4:43pm

Vlad Jovanovic said:

I actually use that aquarium and bed to recycle water now. I took out the fish and when I do a water change I just swap it between tanks. It must be cycled real well. Only takes 3-4 days to dissolve ammonia as high as 3. I've given up on the digital tester. Wouldn't hold calibration and wasn't reliable. Strips weren't reliable either.

Just use API kit now. Sorry it took so darn long Jeff, but I just now saw your question...Potassium bicarbonate (KHCO3) would be a good buffer.

Jeff S said:

I'm using a digital tester for PH. I have a 1cu.ft. grow bed and an aquarium filter (rated 50 gallons) that I replaced the carbon pads with poly fiber and still have the bio screens in. What is a good buffer?