Day 3 fish-less cycle parameters

[debow]

Gonna assume it’s my sand because I only have sand and rock in there as of now is there anything I should do besides wait

I can also add more microbacterstart

 

[brclark82]

Was it live sand like pre packaged live sand similar to the Carib Sea stuff or did you get actual live sand from an established tank or from the ocean?

 

[debow]

Was it live sand like pre packaged live sand similar to the Carib Sea stuff or did you get actual live sand from an established tank or from the ocean?

It was Carib sea live sand which I understand makes cycling take a little bit longer, would you recommend just keep waiting and not adding anymore ammonia or adding some more bacteria?

 

[brclark82]

CaribSea will not add any additional ammonia to your tank

Did you add any drops of ammonia between your test of 0.5-1 yesterday and the 4 result today?

 

[debow]

CaribSea will not add any additional ammonia to your tank

Did you add any drops of ammonia between your test of 0.5-1 yesterday and the 4 result today?

No only ammonia added was day one

 

[brclark82]

Ya got me fooled then

There has to be ammonia coming from somewhere and it isn’t bagged sand or dead rock…need to think about any possible options

One option would be that you ammonia has been close to 4 since you added the initial drops of ammonia and your test yesterday was inaccurate for some reason

 

[debow]

Ya got me fooled then

There has to be ammonia coming from somewhere and it isn’t bagged sand or dead rock…need to think about any possible options

One option would be that you ammonia has been close to 4 since you added the initial drops of ammonia and your test yesterday was inaccurate for some reason

Would you recommend adding more bacteria to lower the ammonia?

 

[brclark82]

I would recommend getting a bottle of Fritz TurboStart 900 and double dosing it and I’d bet your ammonia would be gone in 48 hours…anything else is more than likely a waste of money

 

[Spare time]

I think you missed the part where he said it was 4 ppm today after being .5-1 yesterday

Oh my bad, I thought the image was of the recent test. Thanks!

 

[Spare time]

Awesome thank u

Ignore my previous comment as I misunderstood and thought the image I replied to was taken afterwards.

 

[Spare time]

I can also add more microbacterstart

You can add the whole bottle btw.

 

[Spare time]

I can't really tell but has the nitrite moved at all between the two? That should move up if ammonia went up. Was anything in the tank previously used (i.e. the rock or sand)?

 

[debow]

I can't really tell but has the nitrite moved at all between the two? That should move up if ammonia went up. Was anything in the tank previously used (i.e. the rock or sand)?

Day 4

 

[debow]

I would recommend getting a bottle of Fritz TurboStart 900 and double dosing it and I’d bet your ammonia would be gone in 48 hours…anything else is more than likely a waste of money

Day 4

 

[Spare time]

Ok something is not right. Was the rock previously used (or the sand)? It's either the rock is curing and things are rotting or the test kits had gone bad for some bizzare reason. Also please ignore anyone who says API tests are useless. They aren't, they just have poor resolution. The tank water isn't cloudy right?

 

[debow]

Ok something is not right. Was the rock previously used (or the sand)? It's either the rock is curing and things are rotting or the test kits had gone bad for some bizzare reason. Also please ignore anyone who says API tests are useless. They aren't, they just have poor resolution. The tank water isn't cloudy right?

No, new dry rock and new live sand

 

[debow]

No, new dry rock and new live sand

Also no it is crystal clear

 

[Spare time]

Try another test kit. Or on another sample of water with a known quantity of ammonia. I have a feeling this is an error with the test or testing for whatever reason unless the first one was a fluke and the bottle of bacteria was a dud

 

[Spare time]

Honestly id just dump in another oversized bottle of bacteria like bio spira. That way it will for sure be fine and you can do a water change a few days later

 

[immo]

I would recommend getting a bottle of Fritz TurboStart 900 and double dosing it and I’d bet your ammonia would be gone in 48 hours…anything else is more than likely a waste of money

I'm guessing if I understand right, OP is using Brightwell's Microbacter XLM. I also under went the same rise in ammonia as shown by also an API test kit. I also dosed Fritz 9 (not turbostart 900, which are the same bacteria, just different concentrations) and my ammonia was gone within 24 hours. My nitrite lingered for a very long time, even after a 100% water change, my nitrite and nitrate were elevated - 2 ppm, and 20 ppm. I believe the nitrite was actually higher, but went with 2 ppm for my records, seeing as it really didn't make a difference anyway, but I believe it was upwards of 5 ppm (API colors are really hard to determine) and stayed elevated for another 2 weeks. My nitrate increased from 20 ppm on 2/7 to 80 ppm 2/16 with only a 1" clown fish. I did several 30% water changes, and then 5 10% water changes. And another 30% water change to reduce my nitrite to 0.5 ppm (0.5 on API, 1.0 on Red Sea) and 10 ppm (same reading on both test kits). Buckle up, OP.Your numbers are gonna drive you nuts. Add Fritz - 2-3 days if ammonia is gone, and nitrate is reading, 100% water change. Add 1 fish. Go slow. I don't have nearly the experience that these other guys do, but I am just on the other side of the hill from where you are now.

Also, for others - myself, and my friend both experienced the exact same increase in ammonia, and sky high nitrites, started the same tank, with all the same stuff, at the same time, both using Brightwell.