Problems: Stable PH Level & high Ammonia

[winwin]

I have one big shrimp tank, and recently built another small tank. Here's the questions which need to seek for your kind advice:

1. Where the small tank's PH stable at 6, temp. around 27c, its Ammonia level stay very high causing shrimps die... Anyway to lower Ammonia level without using chemical solution? (I have tried changing water (around 40%) for 2 days in a road, but the level still high).

p.s. all I have in the tank is a new filter, piece of wood with moss, and black sand - not sure what causes the problem???

2. The problem with my big tank is not as serious as the small, but still requires attention. ...Soon after I change the tank's landscape with new plants planted last weekend, the PH level changes rapidly between day and night time; ranging from 6.2 - 5.3. Anyway to make the PH Level more stable?

p.s. temperature @ 25.5c, GH= 60, KH = 20.

Thanks in advance!

[Bradimus]

1. Where the small tank's PH stable at 6, temp. around 27c, its Ammonia level stay very high causing shrimps die... Anyway to lower Ammonia level without using chemical solution? (I have tried changing water (around 40%) for 2 days in a road, but the level still high).

p.s. all I have in the tank is a new filter, piece of wood with moss, and black sand - not sure what causes the problem???

In all likelyhood, the new filter is the problem. It will not process ammonia until it has developed a strong bacterial culture.

2. The problem with my big tank is not as serious as the small, but still requires attention. ...Soon after I change the tank's landscape with new plants planted last weekend, the PH level changes rapidly between day and night time; ranging from 6.2 - 5.3. Anyway to make the PH Level more stable?

p.s. temperature @ 25.5c, GH= 60, KH = 20.

I assume that the GH and KH measurements are in ppm. Water with a KH of 20ppm has very little buffering capability. It is prone to pH swings, especially if you add CO_2. What kind of plants are you keeping? Do they require the water to be that soft?

[winwin]

Bradimus, thanks for your response.

1. my new filter is the cause of the problem?? why, how? and what can I do about that?

2. How can I increase KH without using chemical substance? (p.s don't want to use corel bone since it will increase hardness too much and too fast)

Thanks!

[drhooha]

without using chemicals, coral or bone is the best option for increasing your GH/KH and stabilizing your pH. Typically it doesn't rise rapidly...it usually takes some time for the calcium to start dissolving in the tank.

If you want a quicker, more temporary fix that you can moderate more closely you can try baking powder (sodium bicarbonate). Add a small amount at a time (can't make a suggestion since I don't know the tank size) every day until you see less fluctuations in the pH. It will make your pH rise but will also make the pH swings much less drastic.
The drawback is you'll have to add more baking powder with every water change.

[Bradimus]

1. my new filter is the cause of the problem?? why, how? and what can I do about that?

As the filter is used, bacteria grow on it. These bacteria convert ammonia to nitrite to nitrate. The bacteria are slow-growing and can take up to two months to develop. You can speed the process by taking a broken-in filter and squeezing it into the new tank. This will transfer some bacteria.

[winwin]

so u are saying that since my new tank's bio-cycle is still in the infant stage where ammonia in the tank fails to convert to nitrite then to nitrate), which causes today's ammonia out-break? If that is true, it makes much sense now, however, this tank has only be set up for a week and no over feeding, what causes this 'cumulative ammonia' at the first stage?