Ammonia won't rise up at cycle

[Frans1992]

Hello,

My ammonia level won't be rising at cycle of my new reef tank. I put every day some fish food in my tank. The last days even more.
What can be the reason.

I also put every day some bacteria extract in the aquarium.

 

[Cell]

If you used good bottled bac, then you are likely cycled already.

 

[Frans1992]

If you used good bottled bac, then you are likely cycled already.

But shouldn't I read 0 on amonnia than

 

[Cell]

False positive in ammonia test is very common.

What bottled bac did you use?

Live rock used?

 

[Unitylover]

what test kit?

 

[Frans1992]

False positive in ammonia test is very common.

What bottled bac did you use?

Live rock used?

I use this amonnia test kit:

https://zeeaquarium-winkel.nl/salif...MwkxlUSs4sTBS5c2DtUCbbC6QYTiTZPxoCNyMQAvD_BwE

And this bottle with bacteria(you can turn on english I think Dutch is a bit diffecult ;P)

https://www.oceanartstore.nl/en/products/reef-balance

I used this dry rock:

https://reef-aquarium-store.com/fiji-skeleton-rock-round-pieces-of-dead-living-stone

 

[Unitylover]

I use this amonnia test kit:

https://zeeaquarium-winkel.nl/salif...MwkxlUSs4sTBS5c2DtUCbbC6QYTiTZPxoCNyMQAvD_BwE

And this bottle with bacteria(you can turn on english I think Dutch is a bit diffecult ;P)

https://www.oceanartstore.nl/en/products/reef-balance

I used this dry rock:

https://reef-aquarium-store.com/fiji-skeleton-rock-round-pieces-of-dead-living-stone

oh thats salifert, it is accurate. how long have you been cycling?

 

[Frans1992]

oh thats salifert, it is accurate. how long have you been cycling?

You can see on the image the days before the testing. Today it's the 14 day

 

[Unitylover]

You can see on the image the days before the testing. Today it's the 14 day

cycling usally takes a month, unless you already have a pre established tank

 

[Frans1992]

cycling usally takes a month, unless you already have a pre established tank

Thank's for the fast reactions.

I have read about that to. The problem is that the amonnia stays at 0.5. When I read cylcing methods at should be at least at 2 or higher to get a good bacteria grow. Else I would have a mini cycle everytime I put someting in.

 

[Unitylover]

thing is, ammonia is 4x more potent in saltwater

 

[Unitylover]

I mean lethal

 

[Frans1992]

I mean lethal

Today I tested for ammonia again, it reads 0.5 to.

Maybe I need to stop putting food in now. This because I see it everywhere in the holes of the stones and little build up on the floor of my thank.

Can it be that the bacteria neutralise the ammonia so fast that it won't rise.

Maybe stop putting the bacteria every day anymore.

 

[Unitylover]

Today I tested for ammonia again, it reads 0.5 to.

Maybe I need to stop putting food in now. This because I see it everywhere in the holes of the stones and little build up on the floor of my thank.

Can it be that the bacteria neutralise the ammonia so fast that it won't rise.

Maybe stop putting the bacteria every day enymore.

stop putting food. just wait for the bac to bring it down

 

[Frans1992]

I have one more question. In the back compartement where the skimmer is I see some clear mucus. What can this be

 

[Unitylover]

I have one more question. In the back compartement where the skimmer is I see some clear mucus. What can this be

pics?

 

[Frans1992]

pics?

First a picture of my reef tank. I can't get a picture without mirroring my room on it.
But in reality the stones are a bit more dark of color.

Her a picture from the clear mucus it looks more bad on the picture also because of my camera.

 

[Karen00]

Your ammonia is won't get to 2ppm unless you specifically dose to 2ppm. If you're just adding a bit of fish food then the bacteria is probably consuming it all. Here's the process for that cycling method... https://www.drtimsaquatics.com/resources/library/quick-guide-to-fishless-cycling-with-one-and-only/

What are your nitrates? A normal cycle starts with ammonia then nitrites then nitrates. Using things like bottled bacteria, live rock or live sand can instantly cycle a tank and give false ammonia readings in the API test but Salifert shouldn't.

You are probably cycled to at least the level of food you have been adding but that might not be enough of a cycle to support a single fish. IMO either follow the method in the above link or at this point add a piece of raw shrimp (in a mesh bag or something like that for easy retrieval) and leave it for a couple days. If you're not cycled the ammonia should spike then next will be nitrites and then next nitrates before everything settles back. If you're cycled (because of all the bacteria you added) then you should have 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, some nitrates.

 

[Frans1992]

Your ammonia is won't get to 2ppm unless you specifically dose to 2ppm. If you're just adding a bit of fish food then the bacteria is probably consuming it all. Here's the process for that cycling method... https://www.drtimsaquatics.com/resources/library/quick-guide-to-fishless-cycling-with-one-and-only/

What are your nitrates? A normal cycle starts with ammonia then nitrites then nitrates. Using things like bottled bacteria, live rock or live sand can instantly cycle a tank and give false ammonia readings in the API test but Salifert shouldn't.

You are probably cycled to at least the level of food you have been adding but that might not be enough of a cycle to support a single fish. IMO either follow the method in the above link or at this point add a piece of raw shrimp (in a mesh bag or something like that for easy retrieval) and leave it for a couple days. If you're not cycled the ammonia should spike then next will be nitrites and then next nitrates before everything settles back. If you're cycled (because of all the bacteria you added) then you should have 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, some nitrates.

Thank's for the reaction

I didn't use live rock and still need to add sand.
In my first message you can see the nitrite and nitrate level. The last 3 days I didn't test for them, because my ammonia should rise first if I watch the cycle diagrams.

 

[Freenow54]

As above. The food takes time to break down, and produce ammonia, and obviously makes a mess as you pointed out. Use the fishless cycle, and add PURE ammonia not exceeding 5ppm 4 better. When you are cycled the ammonia will be gone in 24 hours