8.0 Ammonia for almost two months

[MnFish1]

we never got to see the ammonia test rendered the instant the full water change was done, and that was a critical step in calibrating the reading imo

Yes we did - it was zero (I believe unless he mis-explained)

 

[brandon429]

see a pic of it though, not the descrip

 

[MnFish1]

see a pic of it though, not the descrip

Yet - if you believe the description - how would you explain it....?

 

[asting]

Yes - but then the ammonia wouldn't go up - there is nothing in the tank to make the ammonia rise....

Oh agreed. Dont think it could do it on its own. Likely a multitude of issues.

 

[Entz]

Random thought, since it looks like both the Canister and HOB are online could there be something trapped/dying in the lines of the Canister that are causing it to rise? Seems unlikely though given the badge reading.

 

[brandon429]

MN

No possible mechanism exists for ammonia to be 8 ppm after a full water change unless it's in the topoff water. I believe his tester did not show unchanging ammonia after full swap

 

[Water Dog]

Just to refresh everyone’s memory...

Well it was the sand I started with in my tank. I combined all kinds of sands from around the world but guess that causes some kind of reaction as the bottom inch was just black dead smelling ....something.

Bought 40 lbs of live sand, another live rock , total water replacement with RODI type. Clear for a few days but ammonia between 1.0 and 4 until a bacteria blooming for the past three days. Cleaned canister bio with tank water and replaced half foams with new pieces as scheduled. The Ammonia has dropped to .25 but my PH was at 7.6. Add PH UP....should I let the bloom run it’s course or do water changes?

 

[Vic73]

You need to get a different test. Test strips are never accurate. Try red Sea or API.

Everyone on here so far told me to get away from API so I did.

 

[MnFish1]

MN

No possible mechanism exists for ammonia to be 8 ppm after a full water change unless it's in the topoff water. I believe his tester did not show unchanging ammonia after full swap

Wow yet another set back. Now my Ammonia is back up to 4.0, have this bloom which has gotten a little better, no signs of nitrite or nitrates and PH stuck at 7.8 maybe. Now what?

Right now it says 0.0 for nitrate but back to now 8.0 ammonia....I can't believe this!

 

[Vic73]

MN

No possible mechanism exists for ammonia to be 8 ppm after a full water change unless it's in the topoff water. I believe his tester did not show unchanging ammonia after full swap

It gradually rose to 8.0 and stayed, so frustrated.

 

[MnFish1]

Everyone on here so far told me to get away from API so I did.

There is a prejudice against API - I use them only. Ive tried others -and they are just as difficult. The only 'caveat' is that a .25 ammonia on API may be a zero on another. This is an oft repeated myth (IMHO). It would not cause a change between 0 and >>>>>>>>>8 ppm

 

[MnFish1]

MN

No possible mechanism exists for ammonia to be 8 ppm after a full water change unless it's in the topoff water. I believe his tester did not show unchanging ammonia after full swap

well you're just thinking in your box - think out of your box.... there are lots of reasons

 

[Vic73]

Not mistaken (I guess) - but - he already did this experiment right?- when he did the 100% water change... it went to zero then .25 than 8 (if I understood him).

Yes that is correct

 

[Vic73]

The OP has changed out all of his sand to 40# of commercial bagged live sand. He has done a 100% water change with saltwater made with RODI. He has purchased preboxed saltwater from the LFS to perform water changes. Yet here we are at 8ppm ammonia again.



So as far as I can tell, we have two variables here. Testing error/bad test kits or the rock that has been in the tank from the start. Hence my recommendation to do a water change of a known quantity and post pictures of a retest to see if the ammonia reading reduces proportionately after that water change. With that hopefully we can rule out testing error. The only variable left that I see is the rock. Am I mistaken here?

How long will live rock live if I don’t have it in water so I can test rock by rock for ammonia?

I don’t know what else to do here.

 

[MnFish1]

MN

No possible mechanism exists for ammonia to be 8 ppm after a full water change unless it's in the topoff water. I believe his tester did not show unchanging ammonia after full swap

Yet it its lol verified at 2 different places - the LFS and his home tank>?

 

[MnFish1]

How long will live rock live if I don’t have it in water so I can test rock by rock for ammonia?

I don’t know what else to do here.

You could take your 'old rock' out - and retest your tank...

I mean - so - in the old days - you would get a shipment of 'live rock' from Florida - it would sit in vats for weeks - where ammonia would be sky high - as the stuff on the rock died. when that was completed (and needing multiple water changes) the rock was put in the tank..

Others would take live rock from lets say Florida - have it shipped overnight - and put it in their tanks - and let the stuff grow/live survive. Mostly with no problem.. That kind of rock is difficult to find

What kind of 'live rock' did you buy?/use - what was the source.

 

[MnFish1]

I am officially frustrated. Started a 55 gallon saltwater tank with five live rocks, 20 lbs of live sand and sands I've collected from around the world. After a Marineland canister malfunction switch out keeping the media, I am now three weeks into the new Fluva canister with the old media and I am still at 8.0 ammonia, all other readings are zero. I've done multiple water changes, put bottles of bacteria start up, and now recently seeing I hope is a bacteria bloom after having pretty clear water for a couple of weeks. Any guidance is welcomed.

Curious. have you tried to test the ammonia on just your fresh mixed saltwater -and immediately compared it to a test of yoru tank water?

 

[Entz]

There is a prejudice against API - I use them only. Ive tried others -and they are just as difficult. The only 'caveat' is that a .25 ammonia on API may be a zero on another. This is an oft repeated myth (IMHO). It would not cause a change between 0 and >>>>>>>>>8 ppm

FWIW, the API is the only Ammonia/Nitrite kits I use. Never had an issue other than the well documented .25 issue. I used to use it for Nitrate as well but moved on to Salifert for that since it is easier on the lower range with the little magnifying window.

Not to say there cant be a bad batch of API kits (maybe store is using the same one)... even Hanna has had issues.

 

[Water Dog]

Curious. have you tried to test the ammonia on just your fresh mixed saltwater -and immediately compared it to a test of yoru tank water?

I think this is very sound advice here. Essentially, what we are trying to do here is to determine the source of your high ammonia levels. We have ruled out the sand due to the 100% sand change. Now we have your live rock and maybe even the water you’re getting from your LFS.

 

[brandon429]

Water dog nice clarification, we've found a claimed source.

If that's the case, then the entire assessment about bac is skewed due to massive pocketing of waste that would overwhelm bac in anyones tank. When a fish dies, fully cycled reefs often indicate a spike or when sandbeds are partially cleaned we see that as well. confound. Nice detailing, I missed that in the speed of gain here.

if he was experimenting with different types of sand that weren't rinsed/had jerky organics inside awaiting hydration/ at least things start to make sense regarding his off the chart readings knowing that detail

I guess in order to make sense of things, we'll need the no organic accumulation condition in order to measure accurately.

The smell factor cannot be ignored, it would've stank somewhere along the way notably.

*was Prime water conditioner used here at all in the setup?