AMMONIA FROM STARFISH?

[will?]

I need help with my ammonia in a 35gal reef tank. I have recently had a massive spike in ammonia, and the only two things that have changed is the fact that I have bought a pair of red starfish and a pair of toadstool leather corals. I've heard that starfish can add ammonia and I can't risk them killing my tank. I've done an emergency water change of around 40 percent, but nothing has changed. What do I do? What can I remove??? Help, please

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

How old is the tank? What is the ammonia reading? Which test kit are you using?

 

[will?]

The tank is around 18months old, the reading is around 2ppm and I'm using a RedSea 'Marine Test Kit AMMONIA'

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

What does that put read in new salt water?

If the starfish are alive, they aren’t causing an ammonia spike in an established reef tank.

 

[will?]

I put the new water in, and the test result didn't seem to change, although I think the original result was above the test capacity, so hopefully the ammonia is lowering. The test after the new water still seemed to be around 2ppm, but I'm doing another change, and going to add fresh zeolite to the filter

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I put the new water in, and the test result didn't seem to change, although I think the original result was above the test capacity, so hopefully the ammonia is lowering. The test after the new water still seemed to be around 2ppm, but I'm doing another change, and going to add fresh zeolite to the filter

I meant test the new salt water itself to see if the kit is reading correctly.

 

[will?]

I meant test the new salt water itself to see if the kit is reading correctly.

Ohhhhh, I'm just about to test it when I get home. I just got some ammo lock (API) and 500g's of zeolite and another 20L of fresh saltwater, so hopefully the ammonia should be sorted soon

 

[will?]

And does anyone know if zeolite absorbs water treatment like carbon does, or am I safe to use both simultaneously?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

And does anyone know if zeolite absorbs water treatment like carbon does, or am I safe to use both simultaneously?

You mean the api? I would not assume it does anything useful for ammonia, and only certain zeolites bind ammonia. Clinoptilolite is the type that binds some ammonia.