a little help plz

m0nk3y69d · Mar 8, 2013

so i bought a api marine master test kit today and i tested my water and my pH was 8.4 my ammonia was 0.25 my nitritate and nitrite were both zero but im not sure why my ammonia is elevated and should i be worried about my ammonia lvl

ritter6788 · Mar 8, 2013

Sounds like your tank is cycling. Ammonia should be undetectable is livestock is present in your tank. How long has the tank been set up? Is there anything living in it right now?

m0nk3y69d · Mar 8, 2013

It's Ben up for 4 monthes and yes there is 2 clowns a blue damsel a peppermint shrimp and a chocklet chip star fish and a hattian pink tip anemane but I did move it a few weeks ago from my basement living room to my first floor living room and I used some old water and did a 30% water change at that time but I don't have a sump yet I'm still putting it together so I'm running a hang on filter and a skimmer

ritter6788 · Mar 8, 2013

Sounds like you had a bit of a cycle from the move. Try some frequent water changes and test often until the ammonia is undetectable.

m0nk3y69d · Mar 8, 2013

ok so maybe a 20% change every few days and i only have about 20lbs of live rock right now and i just ordered 50lbs today with some quick start so that probly dosent help

fragmatic · Mar 8, 2013

ritter6788 said:
Sounds like you had a bit of a cycle from the move. Try some frequent water changes and test often until the ammonia is undetectable.

+1
be careful when you change the filter media.. don't let the water get mixed into the tank during the change disturbance.

How much live rock do you have in that tank?
EDIT: you were answering that while I was typing.