First Cycle Ammonia reading 8.0+

[rashidruham]

Howdy yall! So recently I got a Max Nano Peninsula, it's a 26gal. Caribbsea Dry Live Rock and Special grade live sand and BRS Titanium 100w heater with Inkbird Controller. I got too impatient and used normal tap water to mix salt water and didn't know I was introducing ammonia to the tank. I used Dr.Tims one and only and Ammonium Chloride as stated 4 drops per gal (without knowing that my tap water already had ammonia). I kept my skimmer, UV off and no Filter sock as well. Day 3rd of cycling ammonia read 8+ with no signs of slowing down. Nitrates are 5.0. I later got an 5 stage ro/di from BRS and did some 25-30% water change but nothing worked. Its day 12th of cycling, ammonia readings are 8+(deep blue), Nitrates 5.0, Ph 8, Nitrites 0.0, Temp 78 and salinity 1.026. I am using Red sea Marine Care Test Kit. I also got Coralline Algae in a Bottle from AlgaeBarn (Purple and Pink) but i am hesitant to put in there. I am guessing my impatience got my tank crashed? Doing a fishless cycle. Seeking help!!!!

 

[TokenReefer]

Fishless...so that's good at least. No real threat unless there's some other creature in there.. If it's only day 3 I'd just wait. Do a water change (big if needed) to get things diluted a bit and keep monitoring/testing and see if the bacteria starts processing the ammonia. I'd wait a while to add the coraline in a bottle cuz it ain't cheap and its probably too early imo for the coralline to take any real hold yet, you'd be wasting it. Just my .02 good luck

 

[rashidruham]

Fishless...so that's good at least. No real threat unless there's some other creature in there.. If it's only day 3 I'd just wait. Do a water change (big if needed) to get things diluted a bit and keep monitoring/testing and see if the bacteria starts processing the ammonia. I'd wait a while to add the coraline in a bottle cuz it ain't cheap and its probably too early imo for the coralline to take any real hold yet, you'd be wasting it. Just my .02 good luck

If it was day 3 it wouldn't have bothered me.... It's day 12 and from what I have heard it should be close to 0.4 by now. Also for the coralline algae I am not sure on what temperate to store so I am keeping it on and off of my Fridge... Definitely not putting it in. Do you think if I should do a 90-100% change and if so what happens to the Nitrifying Bacteria???? Thanks for all the help tho!!!!!

 

[TokenReefer]

If it was me I'd stop dosing the Ammonia (obv). Do a 50% wc and wait. Let the bacteria do its thing and keep testing. Do another regular wc. Keep testing. Repeat... Filter socks and def skimmer not needed yet. Just my suggestion

 

[I never finish anythi]

I used tap water in my first reef . I had problems GHA took over fast

 

[flyingscampi]

As there is nothing in your tank, I'd start again using only RO/DI water with a TDS of 0. You've no idea what nasties you might have introduced with the tap water such as metals, plastics, and chemicals that might cause problems later on.

An ammonia level of 8+ will harm or kill any bacteria you've added to the tank. If you don't start again, perform some large water changes to get it down to 2-3.

I wouldn't add the Coralline until green algae is thriving on nutrients in your tank.

This hobby punishes the pockets of the impatient...

 

[ying yang]

Once bacteria been in tank,it starts attaching to the rocks and surfaces and very little in the water column I've read " experts " say ^_^

 

[ying yang]

Also if was me I would do 100% water change and get that tap water out,if that's 100% needed ,idk and all depends on make up off your local water, but I'm all for using only rodi water and never tap water unless it's just rinsing or cleaning equipment etc.
Also api tests get a bad rep and alot say not accurate at all,I've never experienced this and as got told that I bought salifert tests and got exactly same results,so I think alot on the api tests are if you do exactly as instructions say ,not sure what tests you using but thought I throw that in as api very common tests to use lol.
But alot will say after using Dr tims one and only for 12 days then it's OK to add fishes,just do water change to dilute the nitrates so don't start off with food for algaes ( you will get algaes anyway )
I've also read tests on r2r and they said the recommended drops using the amnonian chloride from doctor tims gives you to high an amnonia.
There is threads here on r2r about it