Ammonia at 1.2 ppm

[vetteguy53081]

It's been about 2 months since I started the cycling (I used Red Sea Reef Mature kit in a Max Nano Peninsula) and until a few days ago ammonia has always been at around 0.1 ppm. About a month ago I talked to my LFS about the ammonia levels (0.1 at the time) and we decided I could try adding two hermit crabs. They both were doing well so after two more weeks I introduced a yellow watchman goby and a pistol shrimp. They're also doing great. They're digging burrows and eating all the food I put in the tank. I've been feeding extremely carefully so when I checked ammonia levels and it showed 1.2 I was very confused because all animals are ok. What could be the cause of this and what should I do now? I did a 30% water change immediately after I tested the water. I've also been dosing nitrifying bacteria every week since the Reef Mature program ended.

Assure , not false readings and 2 gallon water changes daily for 10 days will be sure to reduce number

 

[Garf]

Yes nitrate 20 ppm and nitrite 0

Don’t suppose you are using “Prime” and tapwater?

 

[williamCreery]

You will be fine. Watch your feeding, test like you have been *repeat*

You can keep soft corals. After 1 year and a HALF you will be able to grow sps and any type of LPS.
Good luck.
This hobby tests those who have patience.

 

[gustavviklund]

Don’t suppose you are using “Prime” and tapwater?

I always use RO water. No tap water

 

[Garf]

I always use RO water. No tap water

Can you check pH? That’ll determine how much total ammonia (if accurate(ish)) is actually free ammonia.

 

[Spare time]

If you are worried, just add a bottle of biospira or fritz turbo and call it a day.

 

[gustavviklund]

Can you check pH? That’ll determine how much total ammonia (if accurate(ish)) is actually free ammonia.

pH is 8.0

 

[Garf]

pH is 8.0

Ok, so free ammonia is a tad over 0.05ppm NH3 (if you believe your test kit), which at least in the short term is relatively safe but not ideal. Have you added those shells as decoration, or have they gone belly up?

 

[gustavviklund]

Ok, so free ammonia is a tad over 0.05NH3 (if you believe your test kit), which at least in the short term is relatively safe but not ideal. Have you added those shells as decoration, or have they gone belly up?

The shells are for decoration and for the hermit crabs

 

[gustavviklund]

If you are worried, just add a bottle of biospira or fritz turbo and call it a day.

I haven't seen any store here in Sweden that sells any of those but I'm dosing 5 ml of Modern Reef Nitri-Bac once a week.

 

[gustavviklund]

Assure , not false readings and 2 gallon water changes daily for 10 days will be sure to reduce number

Are 2 gallons really enough?

 

[Garf]

I haven't seen any store here in Sweden that sells any of those but I'm dosing 5 ml of Modern Reef Nitri-Bac once a week.

Unfortunately I think the real viable live bacteria is an American thing. I don’t think they ship well, let alone sit on a shop shelf well.

 

[exnisstech]

Yes nitrate 20 ppm and nitrite 0

With nitrates at 20 I wouldn't even test ammonia. Just continue moving forward slowly.

 

[Spare time]

I haven't seen any store here in Sweden that sells any of those but I'm dosing 5 ml of Modern Reef Nitri-Bac once a week.

Dump the whole bottle in

 

[gustavviklund]

With nitrates at 20 I wouldn't even test ammonia. Just continue moving forward slowly.

Dump the whole bottle in

So, how should I move forward? 20-30% water change and then add like 30 ml of the bacteria??

 

[Spare time]

So, how should I move forward? 20-30% water change and then add like 30 ml of the bacteria??

Just do a water change and then add the rest of the bottle of bacteria.

 

[gustavviklund]

Just do a water change and then add the rest of the bottle of bacteria.

I just did a 20% water change and added the rest of the bacteria (~60 ml) The water is a little cloudy now but I assume that's normal?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Are 2 gallons really enough?

Recommended but you can of course change more gallons

 

[gustavviklund]

Update: Ammonia now at 2.0.... What am I doing wrong? Animals are still doing good though

 

[brandon429]

you're using cheap non digital easy fouled searchable as constantly misreading test kits

do you believe the readings, knowing that multifaceted detail?


if you are determined to test for ammonia when you should not test for ammonia (currently) then buy a seneye and state that reading level. $190

updated cycling science is testless so by that detail alone you wouldn't be in this issue if we were using updated cycling science.

under old cycling science, you believe (and react to) whatever ANY test kit says no matter what, no matter the context. that is what's happening currently

when you do a water change over unrinsed sand it often clouds, but not due to cycling issues/the cloud may not apply here.

the first step for you is to stop ammonia testing because cheap non digital kits can't be trusted. at this many days underwater, your ammonia isn't an issue or your animals would be dead vs happy