The #1 Killer of Tropical Fish - AMMONIA SPIKES - Skip the Spike and Do This - It Works!

[@BenOchart]

Thank you for watching! For more fish keeping videos with tricks, tips and hacks, check out these playlists: For "My Best Fish Keeping Tips" click here: kzbin.info/aero/PLr8ew8o8WXoDLeItfzOiRG8DV-1W9qNX4 For tips and tricks with Fluval FX canister filters go here: kzbin.info/aero/PLr8ew8o8WXoC8gSuqdG1c4nOzlAMFTmiD For tips and tricks with SunSun canister filters go here: kzbin.info/aero/PLr8ew8o8WXoCiMWEpBFJFJGxTqJH_MdMg For videos on water changes and controlling nitrates, click here: kzbin.info/aero/PLr8ew8o8WXoCdEYkD0rQa0OWejFk5-bHD For videos on general canister filter maintenance, click here: kzbin.info/aero/PLr8ew8o8WXoA-6pu7lFTc_D6idLKGCE2j My Top 10 most popular videos of all time: kzbin.info/aero/PLr8ew8o8WXoBdSWOkNg1Roe2M47dP9Mva

[@HalfManHalfCichlid]

I have never bought any bottled bacteria, ammonia neutralizer, pads/media, etc. I have had situations where I added quite a few wish to a bare tank or an existing tank bioload with a a lot of fish. I have moved media, in particular sponges from HOBs, cannisters and sumps to new aquaria. In the last 30 years I have never measured any ammonia in any of my tanks. The other thing is to be very conservative on feeding initially till the biological capacity grows- don't try to play "catch up" in feeding your fish too much. I realize some folks have one tank and don't have media to move. I understand someone in the industry is now selling sponges with active bio cultures from existing aquaria to speed up the process too. I am a proponent of not spending money on all these products that keep popping up to solve all your aquarium problems, when understanding the biology and taking your time will do fine.

[@BenOchart]

Can’t beat common sense, experience, knowledge and patience. Can’t bottle that😀👍🏻

[@THESESTORIESARETRUE]

Great information

[@LushSaltyAquariums]

Thank you for the reasonable suggestions ... as opposed to the finger wagging.

[@frankmurrell6827]

Good afternoon the new aquariums look nice thanks have a great day thanks for the advice.

[@chino7287]

I setup a 125-gallon aquarium & purchased 4 large pre-seeded sponge filters from Angels Plus. I cut up the sponges into small cubes & placed them within two FX6s. A few days later I picked up 20 male peacocks from Imperial Tropical & put them in. That was almost two months ago & I didn’t lose any fish. They’re all thriving. I would definitely recommend Angels Plus to anyone wanting to quickly establish a tank if you don’t have any used media available.

[@RaulsAquaticsandReptiles]

Appreciate you sharing Ben ✊🏽✊🏽

[@joestan3654]

THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE ADVICE

[@BenOchart]

You’re welcome 😀👍🏻

[@SlimTim_dirty_aquatics]

I’ve recently started using Topfin ammonia pads in my sump filter along with ammonia remover pads in my Fluval 306. Really been enjoy the content of this channel, subbed; and yes you kept popping up in my recommended list. Fired Up!!!

[@rooterdaddy6889]

Ben, you forgot to mention clinoptilolite/zeolite It absorbs ammonia and can be placed in a mesh bag in your hob or corner bubbler filter your so fond of. Cheaper supply is Happy Cat litter from Home Depot - pure clinoptilolite.

[@lewisspeed3041]

The way you do it is the best way for me,if it ain’t broke,why fix it,I set my 100 gallon African cichlid tank up the same way you did,and it worked perfectly

[@BenOchart]

If we stay on top of it it works fine. There are as many methods as there are fish keepers. You're right, "if it ain't broke..."

[@marypaigeflynn4512]

Ben great video and great information!! I always appreciate your experience that you share!! The steps you took with adding that many fish helped with your success for sure 👍 Water changes are so important, especially when you first set up an aquarium.. if you will just take the time to do that simple step.. small and frequent water changes... you can save yourself so much heartache! I have also used the Imaginarian brand bacteria.. it can be a great "go to" that you can usually get at your local big box stores 👍 I really do love Prime too.. it's what I use!!! I have never seen the Aquarium Co-op pads 🤔 I'm going to definitely have to remember that!! I agree!! Usually what Cory stands behind... Works!👍♥️ You definitely have to use common sense and pay attention to your tanks and the fish you keep.. that is honestly what makes great fish keepers!! Thank you so much for sharing your experience!! Always learning my friend!! I hope you and your family have a blessed Valentine's Day and much love! 🙏♥️🌿🐟🌿

[@carolinejt3544]

I had babies and so too many fish. I used seachem stability, prime and fluval water conditioner. It works

[@unlovabl]

I'm new to your channel, just returning to the hobby and you've helped me alot. so informative and easy to understand

[@BenOchart]

Thank you 😀👍🏻

[@Miguelspl150]

The hobby has evolved a lot. You can add a lot of face at once. They have prime and safe that will make the ammonia none toxic and let’s the bacteria catch up. Also you can add bacteria as you add the fish and will help keep ammonia down.

[@Miguelspl150]

Just don’t add ammonia removers like polyfilters and chemical media as it will actually effect your bacteria population.

[@BenOchart]

You're right. Not that long ago all that could be done was the fishless, adding ammonia or a dead shrimp method. Products like FritzZyme 700 are making it faster and easier.

[@ericz6480]

When I set up my 125 I did a fishless cycle. I used ammonia to start it up. I didn't know at the time about bacteria in a bottle. Needless to say, this took awhile to get going but once my cycle was established, i was able to add about 30 african cichlids. I never had a spike in my readings fortunately so that large first stocking was a success.

[@BenOchart]

Very cool. I've never done a true fishless cycle.

[@nateavis5686]

Another great video. I rehomed all my South American cichlids and monster fish. Really heavy bio load in my 360 gallon. I have a large order of all male peacocks and haps. Tank is established. I am nervous about adding them all at once. I have 2 bottles of API quick start. I plan on doing exactly what you did.

[@BenOchart]

Let me know how it turns out Nathan

[@nateavis5686]

@@BenOchart will do. Thanks

[@ilcancelliere6010]

Fantastic video full of invaluable tips! Would you do the same process when adding juvenile fish? I have added 15 AC of approx. 3 inch each in a 125 gallons and unfortunately I lost 3 but in the great scheme of things I think it went well but I wonder if I should have done something different to prevent those losses? By the way excellent achievement! 34k subs! You rock my friend!

[@BenOchart]

Yes, even more so with smaller fish that tend to be more fragile. Thank you for the support in getting to 34k. Much appreciated.

[@lewisspeed3041]

@@BenOchart thanks bro,take care

[@mattphillips6714]

Ben if you’re always using Prime you wouldn’t need Corys ammonia pads as Prime has ammo-lock in it as an active product solely for ammonia spikes or new tank setups, however I couldn’t say exactly how effective it is as I myself don’t use it, I don’t like the smell it’s sulphur based, I use tap safe from Tetra as I’ve used it for over 25 years and if it’s not broken you don’t fix it. These days you can’t beat bacteria in a bottle, I like and use the Fluval branded one but I think really they are all as good as each other provided you follow the information needed for use... take care my friend you’re fish room project is starting to come together nicely.

[@BenOchart]

Yes, those pads are a new idea for me. I'm not that familiar with them but what you're saying makes a lot of sense.

[@thomashenrymyers1876]

Hi from the UK

[@briangaliote4509]

Hi Ben. Any thoughts on where I can acquire a 5 to 6 inch lemon Oscar?

[@tkay711]

Hello. I have a cycled 20 gallon tank. I have 5 black skirt Tetras, 3 Buenos Aires Tetras, 3 Cherry Barbs, 2 small cory cats, 3 mollies and 2 snails. Water has been fine. I am cycling a 36 gallon so I removed one of the filter cartridges from the 20 gallon to the 36 gallon. Now my 20 gallon got a very high ammonia spike. Do I have too much fish in there or because I removed that used cartridge? I did about 40% water change and added Prime but ammonia still high. Fish seem fine but snails are staying in there shells. My 36 finally cycled so I am moving the mollies over to see how they do.

[@anthonyd7323]

Good morning Ben, are those live plants in the tank behind you? If so where online can I order them, thanks.

[@BenOchart]

Live plants on the left side of the South American tank. All the rest are artificial from Elite Cichlids.

[@frankiefingerz8047]

I use seachem prime cichlid trace & stability i never add more than 4 fish at one time

[@danielbarrett6026]

When I needed to set up a new tank quickly I moved over a sponge filter, a cup of established substrate, water conditioner, small water changes , added an eheim air diffusor (figured it couldn't hurt) and tested daily

[@BenOchart]

It worked out fine?

[@danielbarrett6026]

@@BenOchartThe unknown is always unnerving, but I did not have any ammonia or nitrites detected. They liked swimming though the bubbles of the air diffuser as well.

[@leo2o915]

One more take on that when adding fish to a new tank I thought if you do too many water changes while it’s getting established would low the cycling process since you not letting it convert if you removing it

[@BenOchart]

When doing a fishless cycle, yes, I leave it alone, but after adding fish I, initially, I do frequent small WCs to lessen the stress on the fish.

[@CascadianExotics]

Sensible advice. Personally, I always thought of it as going through a second fish-in cycle. You do want that extra ammonia, but not so much that it is detrimental to the health of your inhabitants. So smaller, but more frequent water changes and daily bacteria for a couple of weeks until things balance out.

[@BenOchart]

Exactly. Small frequent WCs to dilute any jump in ammonia along with conditioner and BB and it smooths out nicely.

[@leo2o915]

Ben I want you to take a look at aquavitro seed it’s like zyme 7 but the higher brand of Seachem let me know what you think ? I know only small local fish stores carry it

[@ekoed]

Hey Ben do you ever use seachem stress guard? If so do you notice any benefits?

[@danielbarrett6026]

I use the stress guard when I see scales missing from a spat the cichlids had. I guess it works as an antiseptic and seems to work to help heal the the injured area.

[@rickburt4275]

Ben- great information. Another aspect of this is testing the water and ph. Ammonia turns to ammonium below ph 7 and is relatively non-toxic. Another thing I learned recently is Prime at the recommended dosage will only neutralize 1 ppm- no more. The drop tests for ammonia will still show ammonia -they don't differentiate between ammonia that has been neutralized and toxic ammonia, so it is difficult to know how much what they call"free" ammonia is in the water. Seachem does make a test kit for measuring free ( or toxic) ammonia. I have found the best method is using the filter medium from an established tank. I have never understood why pet stores don't sell established filter medium.

[@dominic9279]

HEY Ben. It's true that medicating your tank can give false ammonia readings yeah?

[@BenOchart]

Haven’t heard that, but antibacterial meds do kill bacteria and that can include some beneficial bacteria. Something to think about and look into🤔🤔🤔

[@jk230673]

Good morning Ben! I have been following your videos and they are very informative. I am a beginner when it comes to African cichlids. I have gone through lot of videos. I have a question related to this video. If I am setting up a new tank , how should I be buying and adding new fishes into the tank once the water levels are within the range.. Should I be buying a school of one variety at a time, quarantine and then introduce into the tank or can I buy and add more than one variety at the time. I am planning to setup a 90 gallon with few plants recommended for cichlid tanks.I am planning to buy Juvenile mbunas and peacocks.

[@BenOchart]

Adding 4-6 at a time can create good confusion and spread out aggression as opposed to adding one fish that everyone gangs up on. Your plants will last until the fish put on size. Then you’ll notice that they are being nipped to death. Cost me a $100 to find that out.

[@CurieBohr]

Can I use prime daily? Then add beneficial bacteria daily as well until ammonia is 0?

[@rara5212]

Ben try to let the night not become fully dark. Fishes will behave differently in a gloomy environment. That really could help!😉

[@BenOchart]

I might try that, like a night light, thank you!

[@rara5212]

@@BenOchart yes, that's what I mean!😄😉

[@rickylgovier7016]

Hi how do I put my v t recording too my comments thank you , I think I got it right ty

[@BenOchart]

Unfortunately YT doesn't allow that. You would need to start up a channel (pretty easy) then post something and share the link for others to be able to see it.

[@joselaureano4736]

Hello my teacher 🐟 my concern is that I managed to find real quality fish with the best colors and best looking fins and my tank is settled so when I put my fish in they get torn apart even tho I put in about 4 to 5 fish at the time should they go thru that and hope for the best or take them out get them healthy again and they try again?

[@BenOchart]

There's no quick answer or solution to this without knowing a lot more. What fish do you have in the tank, what are you trying to add, how are your adding them (what steps do you follow), etc. Unfortunately with cichlids there can be initial battles. Ideally they establish who is boss and the fighting stops. But sometimes it turns into a death match and a fish will not stop until the other one is dead. Have a spare tank ready and keep an eye on things after adding fish.

[@joselaureano4736]

I have African cichlids there's about 35 fish in it and I'd swapped black sand to pool filtered sand by the way what a difference i love it. So it was cloudy I was putting my decorations back in it and added 4 beautiful lethrinops and went it started to clear up they were getting attacked by the other fish. So my question is should I left them in there or taken them out and tried something else later?

[@EGlasofer]

Ben, considering that you added these fish to an established tank, why didn’t you quarantine them first?

[@BenOchart]

Only fish in it were the “test fish” discussed in an earlier video. The South American was more established and stocked, so those new fish (Viejas, Red Shoulders, Starry Night) did go into a QT tank.

[@CJ80ish]

Had a heck of an ice storm that put us out of power for 3 days and counting... I’ve lost my fish... will a few days of 40 degree temps crash my beneficial bacteria? Thanks. The filter media has remained submerged

[@BenOchart]

Sorry about your fish. Some have said that beneficial bacteria can last a while. Stir the surface a few times a day for gas exchange (if power is still out). I’d do a water test and add some bacteria and conditioner for a few days after adding new fish. Bacteria in a bottle products like Seachem Stability or FritzZyme 7 or 700 work great. Good luck.

[@leighlarson5303]

I have been trying to cycle my 150 for the past month. I have noticed ammonium level seems to stay at 1.0 no matter how many water changes I do. I have 7 fish in the tank. I have added bacteria and conditioner. Fish seem to be doing well, but ammonia continues to be 1.0. Nitrites are 0. Natrates are 5. My tap water is also testing at 1.0. I am using a filter sock in the sump which I am changing out once a week . Am I destroying the beneficial bacteria that should be eating the ammonia? Will it ever be possible to get 0 ammonia in the tank if my water changes are adding 1.0 ammonia?

[@BenOchart]

You're adding ammonia every time you do a WC if it's coming out of the tap. I would contact your water supplier and ask why is it that you're seeing ammonia out of the tap? In the meantime you can an ammonia pad that the tap water has to travel through before it goes into your refill bucket or through your hose. You can get ammonia reducing pads from the Aquarium Co-op. You can see them here: www.aquariumcoop.com/collections/filter-media/products/ammonia-reducing-filter-pad Also, the best way to add bacteria is with media from an established tank. If that's not available consider going with a high quality bacteria that requires refrigeration, like Fritz Zymej700. Good luck.

[@leighlarson5303]

Thank you, Ben. I will definitely do everything you recommend. I appreciate you being here for us all.

[@MakeAmericaGreatAgain4547]

I made a huge mistake last year I put 11 fish in my 60 gallon at one time. After I added the 11 fish my tank got super cloudy and a couple of days later I noticed my fish were starting to get ich. So yeah I’ll never be doing that ever again I think I’ll just add 2 fish at a time for now on.