API Saltwater Test kit

[Mity Sergio]

Did you take steps I mentioned a few days ago ?
Did you get a test from outside source not using Api tests?

I was confused with the shrimp method due to my ammonia already being so high if I add a shrimp into my tank at this late of the cycle won’t it make it even worse? If not I’m more than glad to go purchase one i just didn’t know due to being 4 weeks in if the shrimp would help or make it worse.

 

[Mity Sergio]

I was confused with the shrimp method due to my ammonia already being so high if I add a shrimp into my tank at this late of the cycle won’t it make it even worse? If not I’m more than glad to go purchase one i just didn’t know due to being 4 weeks in if the shrimp would help or make it worse.

I thought the shrimp method was only preformed during the beginning of a cycle

 

[vetteguy53081]

I was confused with the shrimp method due to my ammonia already being so high if I add a shrimp into my tank at this late of the cycle won’t it make it even worse? If not I’m more than glad to go purchase one i just didn’t know due to being 4 weeks in if the shrimp would help or make it worse.

yes- dont until you have verified what ammonia actually is

 

[Mity Sergio]

yes- dont until you have verified what ammonia actually is

Will do thank you!

 

[reef_1]

These are todays test 9/1

Well, this doesn't look much different from yesterdays colors does it.

I see you did ghostfeed I missed that before, that might be the source of ammonia.

I would remove as much food as I can find, then I would wait a day or two just to have a clear confirmation that nitrite and nitrate are really not changing (seems likely they wont change as you just said nitrite is 0.25 for weeks).

Then once its kind of confirmed, I would bring down ammonia below 4 with a water change, add a bit of a prime to really make sure that the tank water is 100% chlorine/chloramine free and then add a round of fritz 9 bacteria, that should clear up ammonia.

A side question, where did you get your rocks and sand from? Were those rocks dry or live rocks?

 

[Garf]

For what it’s worth any nitrite in the water will give a false high nitrate reading as it interferes with the nitrate test. To get an accurate(ish) nitrate test, nitrite should be undetectable.

 

[tankstudy]

If your tests are correct, your ammonia is simply too high. You'll need to bring it down to 2 ppm ammonia before you can add bottle bacteria.

 

[Mity Sergio]

Well, this doesn't look much different from yesterdays colors does it.

I see you did ghostfeed I missed that before, that might be the source of ammonia.

I would remove as much food as I can find, then I would wait a day or two just to have a clear confirmation that nitrite and nitrate are really not changing (seems likely they wont change as you just said nitrite is 0.25 for weeks).

Then once its kind of confirmed, I would bring down ammonia below 4 with a water change, add a bit of a prime to really make sure that the tank water is 100% chlorine/chloramine free and then add a round of fritz 9 bacteria, that should clear up ammonia.

A side question, where did you get your rocks and sand from? Were those rocks dry or live rocks?

Tested today as well got the same results nothing is changing. My Sand is Carrib Sea Live sand also I have 3 dried “life rocks” and 1 live rock that I purchased to try to help 2 days ago I believe.

 

[Mity Sergio]

If your tests are correct, your ammonia is simply too high. You'll need to bring it down to 2 ppm ammonia before you can add bottle bacteria.

I have a RODI unit coming in tomorrow as well as reef salt so I’m going to try to do a big water change to bring the ammonia down I’m thinking my ammonia is just way to high for any nitrifying bacteria to really consume it all. Do you know why high ammonia affects Nitrite production?

 

[Mity Sergio]

Thank you all so much though I really appreciate it. Such a great community hopefully I can learn and grow for the next tank but this is my first shot at everything!

 

[Mity Sergio]

Well, this doesn't look much different from yesterdays colors does it.

I see you did ghostfeed I missed that before, that might be the source of ammonia.

I would remove as much food as I can find, then I would wait a day or two just to have a clear confirmation that nitrite and nitrate are really not changing (seems likely they wont change as you just said nitrite is 0.25 for weeks).

Then once its kind of confirmed, I would bring down ammonia below 4 with a water change, add a bit of a prime to really make sure that the tank water is 100% chlorine/chloramine free and then add a round of fritz 9 bacteria, that should clear up ammonia.

A side question, where did you get your rocks and sand from? Were those rocks dry or live rocks?

I have been running my filters during the whole cycle I’m not too sure if that has an affect as well but I just have filter floss, ceramics, carbon and Resin

 

[BlueDamselReef]

When you do your water change, make sure to siphon vacuum the sand and clean out all your filter media to try and get as much food/ ammonia source out as you can.

 

[Mity Sergio]

Will do!

When you do your water change, make sure to siphon vacuum the sand and clean out all your filter media to try and get as much food/ ammonia source out as you can.

 

[Mity Sergio]

When you do your water change, make sure to siphon vacuum the sand and clean out all your filter media to try and get as much food/ ammonia source out as you can.

I did a nice big water change today! And was able to get my ammonia down to 1ppm!! I also added the recommended amount of BIO-Spira from instant ocean! Hopefully this will help things out! Any other recommendations or should I just let it ride now!? Light are normally off as well!

 

[BlueDamselReef]

I did a nice big water change today! And was able to get my ammonia down to 1ppm!! I also added the recommended amount of BIO-Spira from instant ocean! Hopefully this will help things out! Any other recommendations or should I just let it ride now!? Light are normally off as well!

Awesome sauce!! Do nothing and let it ride out! Ammonia should hit zero soon and Nitrite should hit zero. After both at zero, do a 20% water change and get some FISH in there!!

Keep us updated!

 

[Mity Sergio]

Awesome sauce!! Do nothing and let it ride out! Ammonia should hit zero soon and Nitrite should hit zero. After both at zero, do a 20% water change and get some FISH in there!!

Keep us updated!

Yes thank you so much!! This is the test from this morning the Nitrites are going up! It’s the most purple I’ve seen it from this whole 4 week cycle!

 

[BlueDamselReef]

Yes thank you so much!! This is the test from this morning the Nitrites are going up! It’s the most purple I’ve seen it from this whole 4 week cycle!

Progressing nicely!

 

[vetteguy53081]

Yes thank you so much!! This is the test from this morning the Nitrites are going up! It’s the most purple I’ve seen it from this whole 4 week cycle!

I cant believe you are still using this kit. Have you tried another store that does Not use API kits and have your water tested to verify that you have Non-false readings as suggested ?
Adding liquids and potions offer little help other than denitrification and as you see nitrates are clmbing instead.

 

[Mity Sergio]

I cant believe you are still using this kit. Have you tried another store that does Not use API kits and have your water tested to verify that you have Non-false readings as suggested ?
Adding liquids and potions offer little help other than denitrification and as you see nitrates are clmbing instead.

I’m taking a trip within the next few hours to get my water tested at a Fish Store that’s a little further to verify everything!

 

[Mity Sergio]

I cant believe you are still using this kit. Have you tried another store that does Not use API kits and have your water tested to verify that you have Non-false readings as suggested ?
Adding liquids and potions offer little help other than denitrification and as you see nitrates are clmbing instead.

The Fish Stores results were very similar to mine they tested .50 ppm Ammonia 1.0 ppm Nitrites 40 ppm Nitrates