Asked on the Betta Forum by lconner13 on 6/25/2008, 6:21 am

Q: Ammonia Levels in Water

Hello...I'm really hoping that you can help me...I have a Betta boy, Monty...and I've been having some problems lately.I just moved from Seattle to Tennessee..and that's where the problems started. He's in a five gallon tank with a carbon filter and heater...great setup. I have noticed just in the last couple of weeks (since moving to TN) that his ammonia levels get high really quickly. I used to give him a 50%% water change once a week...now I'm doing it every other day. I just did a 50%% change on Monday and today, Tuesday, his ammonia level is .5! I have the Aquarium Pharmaceuticals salicylate test..which I assume is pretty accurate...And, I've been using Ammo Lock to help him out between changes..But, I know it's not good to change the water too much. I have no idea what's causing this...the only difference in Monty's world is that I'm using TN water instead of WA water...And, I already tested the TN water by itself...it's not high in ammonia. His feeding schedule is the same...his home is the same...I'm treating the water and using aquarium salt...I'm at my wit's end...I don't want him to suffer because of my stupidity. I've tried calling a couple of fish stores here, but they just tell me to change the water...I don't know what to do! Do you know what I could try?Thanks,
Leslie & Monty

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