Ammonia levels

[AmandaMarie1116]

So for the past 2 weeks my ammonia levels in my tank have been extremely high. I just test and they’re now at 0 ppm?
Is that normal? I’ve been doing daily water changes but even last night the were over 4.0 ppm just seeing if the rapid decrease is norm. Thanks.

 

[homer1475]

What test kits are you using?

Abnormal from that high level, yes.

Better question would be, why was it that high? Are you cycling this tank?

 

[AmandaMarie1116]

What test kits are you using?

Abnormal from that high level, yes.

Better question would be, why was it that high? Are you cycling this tank?

Yes I am cycling, sorry I probably should have added that important information. Ha

 

[homer1475]

So lets move on to what test kits your using?

 

[AmandaMarie1116]

So lets move on to what test kits your using?

One from Petco the marine master test kit

 

[homer1475]

API then.

The kit says you went from 4ppm ammonia to 0 overnight?

Have you checked for nitrites? Not nitrates, but nitrites.

If your ammonia has truly gone to 0, you should have high nitrites now.

 

[homer1475]

Just remember the way a cycle works:

Ammonia > Nitrites > nitrates > nitrogen gas

Although the last bit takes a really long time to develop.

All were looking for here is the conversion of ammonia to nitrites, then nitrites to nitrates.

Many will tell you nitrites are non toxic in SW, but the old school ways in me tell me not to stock until nitrites turn to nitrates.

 

[Duncan62]

Just remember the way a cycle works:

Ammonia > Nitrites > nitrates > nitrogen gas

Although the last bit takes a really long time to develop.

All were looking for here is the conversion of ammonia to nitrites, then nitrites to nitrates.

Many will tell you nitrites are non toxic in SW, but the old school ways in me tell me not to stock until nitrites turn to nitrates.

Why add the stress.

 

[homer1475]

Why add the stress.

?

Added stress of what?

 

[Duncan62]

?

Added stress of what?

I agree. I am old school. Why rush to add fish when nitrite is measurable? I was agreeing with the entire post.

 

[homer1475]

I agree. I am old school. Why rush to add fish when nitrite is measurable? I was agreeing with the entire post.

I got ya.

Was just wondering what the stress was. My thinking on the subject too. It's the new way to cycle a tank though, and probably why most loose livestock initially.

 

[Duncan62]

I got ya.

Was just wondering what the stress was. My thinking on the subject too. It's the new way to cycle a tank though, and probably why most loose livestock initially.

Stress allows disease and parasites flourish. That is a huge drop in ammonia overnight but it could happen. Is the cycle natural or chemical?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I agree. I am old school. Why rush to add fish when nitrite is measurable? I was agreeing with the entire post.

There's certainly nothing wrong with waiting for zero nitrite. But I also do not think there's a benefit.

 

[rayscoralreef]

One from Petco the marine master test kit

I work for Petco and the master kit you are using is more than likely for freshwater if you purchased in store. I would suggest using red sea or nyos

 

[Rmckoy]

I work for Petco and the master kit you are using is more than likely for freshwater if you purchased in store. I would suggest using red sea or nyos

The same api master saltwater kit is available in many stores .
it’s for saltwater ( as it says on the label ) but as we are all aware hobby grade test kits have improved over the years
Api is ok and many of us have used them for years .
they will for sure tell you there is ammonia or high nitrates but the exact and accurate amount can be off

still for a quick test to see if there is any trace of ammonia I will do a quick 5 min api test .

back to the original post .
the fact there was 4ppm to 0 over night seams weird .

 

[James5214]

Redsea and salifert are going to be your best and closest to accurate but all of them still have a few points plus or minus they can be off oh and Hanna as well those are the 3 I would look into investing in

 

[James5214]

The same api master saltwater kit is available in many stores .
it’s for saltwater ( as it says on the label ) but as we are all aware hobby grade test kits have improved over the years
Api is ok and many of us have used them for years .
they will for sure tell you there is ammonia or high nitrates but the exact and accurate amount can be off

still for a quick test to see if there is any trace of ammonia I will do a quick 5 min api test .

back to the original post .
the fact there was 4ppm to 0 over night seams weird .

Maybe added to many drops or did a step wrong in the procedure?

 

[Rmckoy]

So for the past 2 weeks my ammonia levels in my tank have been extremely high. I just test and they’re now at 0 ppm?
Is that normal? I’ve been doing daily water changes but even last night the were over 4.0 ppm just seeing if the rapid decrease is norm. Thanks.

First things first welcome ..

If there is no livestock in the system yet , there is no reason to rush nature . Let it cycle .

what you’re measuring for is the ammonia to drop to zero and to stay there . But for a large increase in nitrates .
This could take a few days the reason I skipped nitrite is strictly you want ammonia to be high to be the start of the cycle , and nitrates to be the end .
when the system is able to process all ammonia added to nitrates without the test showing ammonia your system is ready for fish .
My first question is what method of cycling did you choose to follow ?

size of tank ?
did you add live rock or dry ?

ps: we all love pictures of new setups !

 

[Rmckoy]

If
There are no livestock in the tank , stop doing water changes . You need the increased ammonia to transform to the next steps . IMO I’m still stuck in the old school way of cycling . Changing water will only slow the entire process

 

[Salty_Space]

Seems normal. Follow my build on instagram @Salty_Space