Cycling tank with high ammonia??

[Zachthomass_]

So I’m on day 13 of cycling my new 30 gallon tank with live rock and sand and I did a fishless cycle with a shrimp and my ammonia has risen to 8.0+ ppm since around day 7 and my nitrite has risen some but I was wondering if I need to decrease ammonia by doing a water change? Or will that stop the cycle? I’m also using an API test kit, so not sure if it’s entirely accurate.

 

[lapin]

Your ammonia is a bit high. I would pull out the shrimp if there is any left. Your live rock could have had a lot of die off that caused such high ammonia levels. Did you get the live rock shipped in wet paper and bags or was it from your LFS ?
It would not hurt to change out 50% of the water. There is some evidence that ammonia levels over 5 can slow the bacterial growth.

 

[Zachthomass_]

Your ammonia is a bit high. I would pull out the shrimp if there is any left. Your live rock could have had a lot of die off that caused such high ammonia levels. Did you get the live rock shipped in wet paper and bags or was it from your LFS ?
It would not hurt to change out 50% of the water. There is some evidence that ammonia levels over 5 can slow the bacterial growth.

I picked up the rock from my local marine store and only left the shrimp in for 4 days.

 

[lapin]

I would change out 50% the water if its not too much work. You could even toss in one of the bacteria in a bottle products.

 

[Zachthomass_]

I would change out 50% the water if its not too much work. You could even toss in one of the bacteria in a bottle products.

Thanks, I’ll plan to do a water change and I did purchase the bacteria in a bottle stuff to give a try!!

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

The only danger of high ammoina is high nitrates once the Ammona is eaten.

You can do nothing and it’ll be fine or something and it’ll be fine.

 

[Mastiffsrule]

The only danger of high ammoina is high nitrates once the Ammona is eaten.

You can do nothing and it’ll be fine or something and it’ll be fine.

I would tend to agree. Sounds like anytime it may drop to zero as it progresses thru the cycle,

Also, a big hello and Welcome.