Ammonia in tank after 9 months

Austin Barton · May 12, 2019

Hi All-

So I set up a new reef tank last July and have been fighting an ammonia issue off and on ever since. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas as to what could be my issue. Tank and water params below. FYI this isn't my first tank. I had a 120 mixed reef for a 3 years a few years back.

100 gal display w/ 55 gal sump (100 gal total water volume)
4 AI Hydra 26 HD lights
Bubble Magus Curve 5 skimmer
Refugium in the sump on reverse light cycle

Temp 80 +/-1.0 degrees
Ammonia .1-.25 ppm
Nitrite 0 ppm
Nitrate 0 ppm
PH 8.0
Phosphate >0.02

There are a 7 fish currently and 2 cleaner shrimp. I'm pretty sure there isn't anything dead in there decaying, as I have not found anything and this issue has been going on since December.

Thanks,

Mastiffsrule · May 12, 2019

Welcome to R2R

Which test are you using. Could just be a false positive. I would bring it to a LFS and see what they get or try a different brand test.

And welcome

Austin Barton · May 12, 2019

Salifert Test kits. I also had the LFS double check with a salifert test kit... same results.

Dr. Dendrostein · May 12, 2019

Austin Barton said:
Hi All-

So I set up a new reef tank last July and have been fighting an ammonia issue off and on ever since. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas as to what could be my issue. Tank and water params below. FYI this isn't my first tank. I had a 120 mixed reef for a 3 years a few years back.

100 gal display w/ 55 gal sump (100 gal total water volume)
4 AI Hydra 26 HD lights
Bubble Magus Curve 5 skimmer
Refugium in the sump on reverse light cycle

Temp 80 +/-1.0 degrees
Ammonia .1-.25 ppm
Nitrite 0 ppm
Nitrate 0 ppm
PH 8.0
Phosphate >0.02

There are a 7 fish currently and 2 cleaner shrimp. I'm pretty sure there isn't anything dead in there decaying, as I have not found anything and this issue has been going on since December.

Thanks,

Which ammonia NH3 or NH4