Ammonia levels 8+ppm! Need help!!

[Tannar bradley]

Well I got good news, I just talked to the store I got him from and there are gonna pick him up on Tuesday to take care of him while I replace the substrate with sand and get parameters in check

 

[Big G]

Any good brand of "live sand" will get you going. I like Caribsea fiji pink: https://amazon.com/CaribSea-Arag-Al...04864&sr=8-1&keywords=caribsea+fiji+pink+sand
I'd soak your live rock in a clean container/tub and keep changing the saltwater with a heater running and a powerhead for circulation for awhile to flush the ammonia, etc. from the good live rock. Add a dose of Bio-Spira or similar and you will be good to go and your eel will be back home in no time. Cheers!

 

[Tannar bradley]

Any good brand of "live sand" will get you going. I like Caribsea fiji pink: https://amazon.com/CaribSea-Arag-Al...04864&sr=8-1&keywords=caribsea+fiji+pink+sand
I'd soak your live rock in a clean container/tub and keep changing the saltwater with a heater running and a powerhead for circulation for awhile to flush the ammonia, etc. from the good live rock. Add a dose of Bio-Spira or similar and you will be good to go and your eel will be back home in no time. Cheers!

That's what I just picked up is the Fiji pink caribsea and also some argonite to mix with it and I definitely will, would it be best to completely drain the tank for changing the gravel?

 

[Slayvoff]

Any good brand of "live sand" will get you going. I like Caribsea fiji pink: https://amazon.com/CaribSea-Arag-Al...04864&sr=8-1&keywords=caribsea+fiji+pink+sand
I'd soak your live rock in a clean container/tub and keep changing the saltwater with a heater running and a powerhead for circulation for awhile to flush the ammonia, etc. from the good live rock. Add a dose of Bio-Spira or similar and you will be good to go and your eel will be back home in no time. Cheers!

Can this contain hitchhikers similar to live rock? I will be using dry rock to avoid hitchhikers so should I not go with live sand, assuming I even use sand?

 

[Big G]

That's what I just picked up is the Fiji pink caribsea and also some argonite to mix with it and I definitely will, would it be best to completely drain the tank for changing the gravel?

Yep, drain it and wash it down with vinegar and completely flush it with RODI water and let it completely dry.

 

[Big G]

Can this contain hitchhikers similar to live rock? I will be using dry rock to avoid hitchhikers so should I not go with live sand, assuming I even use sand?

Depends on the company. Some use the water collected with the sand; some use a bacteria similar to Bio-Spira, Dr. Tim's, etc. that is introduced into the bag of sand along with saltwater. I usually use a mix of dry sand and live sand with dry rock. I set up the tank and let it cycle for 76 days, just to be sure. Who wants ich or velvet after all that work - not me. I want to enjoy my hobby. Patience is truly a virtue in the saltwater aquarium hobby.