Can ammonia be too high for cycle?

[andyg1960]

I saw every possible answer to this question online so I thought I just ask the expert. @Randy Holmes-Farley, my wife and I both with the best of intentions, added ammonia to our newly cycling reef tank without the knowledge that the other person already did it. The ammonia is now somewhere in the 8+ PPM range. Is it possible for the ammonia to be too high to not allow a cycle to begin? Should we do a water change or just wait it out? Thank you

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

It is certain that at some level of ammonia it is too high for organisms to survive.

I am not personally certain where that point is, but some knowledgeable folks (e.g., Tim Hovanec) suggest that not getting above 5 ppm is desirable.

 

[andyg1960]

It is certain that at some level of ammonia it is too high for organisms to survive.

I am not personally certain where that point is, but some knowledgeable folks (e.g., Tim Hovanec) suggest that not getting above 5 ppm is desirable.

Thanks, Randy. Sounds like its water change night

 

[brandon429]

nice. Id add this

the state of the bacteria matter, we don't know if this is live rock that's being recycled (happens constantly online) or true bare base rock, biofilm thin/barely in place type cycle.

live rock wont be affected by 5 ppm, they eat that for lunch, we use doses that high to prove cycling is done.

If a pitcher of water was made then brought to 8 ppm, then cycling bac added as a fluid to suspension, sure could shock them (example of zero biofilm protection condition)



the toleration range on free ammonia varies based on setting. I found scholar stuff on wastewater output sludge nitrification systems (the ultimate in biofilm insulation) handling 300 ppm straight ammonia just fine. churning out nitrate like the factory it is


a cold sterile microscope slide vs a reef, or putrid sludge, for example, matters massively in sensitivity. good thread

What bacteria tolerate and don't tolerate is fascinating science and sets our total care boundaries for aquarium science I find it fascinating and quite repeatably testable given certain conditions....slide vs purple coralline rock for example.

 

[Andynguyen1512]

If you dont have any fish or corals, high ammonia might be normal. After 2 weeks then do some water changes will be good for your tank

I saw every possible answer to this question online so I thought I just ask the expert. @Randy Holmes-Farley, my wife and I both with the best of intentions, added ammonia to our newly cycling reef tank without the knowledge that the other person already did it. The ammonia is now somewhere in the 8+ PPM range. Is it possible for the ammonia to be too high to not allow a cycle to begin? Should we do a water change or just wait it out? Thank you