High Ammonia Levels

[Nate92]

Hello,

I was excited to add my first fish to my first tank today, but before doing so, I ran an ammonia test. I was expecting the results to be 0 PPM because I don't have any fish in the tank. The result came back somewhere between 0.5 and 1.0 PPM. Could anyone advise why this might be happening? Is this ammonia level too high to add fish? I added Dr. Tim's quick start to the tank yesterday and let it cycle throughout the tank over the last 24 hours.

Any help would be much appreciated. Thank you!

-Nate

 

[sparky727]

How long has your tank been cycling? Did you just set it up and wait 24 hours and you think it’s ready now? Or have you seen your ammonia process and go away. Same with nitrite/nitrate?

 

[James M]

There should be no ammonia when adding livestock to a tank. Sounds like you just set up your tank too.
Here’s a link that explains the cycling process
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/cycling-an-aquarium.306554/

 

[Nate92]

How long has your tank been cycling? Did you just set it up and wait 24 hours and you think it’s ready now? Or have you seen your ammonia process and go away. Same with nitrite/nitrate?

Thanks for your response. I added Dr. Tim's quick start to the tank yesterday. I was under the impression that the solution will populate bacteria quickly enough for the ammonia level to be at 0 within a day or so.

I haven't done any ammonia dosing or testing- just added the Dr. Tim's product.

 

[Nate92]

There should be no ammonia when adding livestock to a tank. Sounds like you just set up your tank too.
Here’s a link that explains the cycling process
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/cycling-an-aquarium.306554/

Thanks for the link, James. I just finished reading through that. I added Dr. Tim's quick start product to my tank yesterday in order to avoid going through a several week long cycling process. Do you think adding more Dr. Tim's would be an ok idea?

Good to know that the ammonia level should be 0 before adding livestock.

 

[James M]

Your best bet is to cycle the tank fully, It’s the safest way. Nothing can be rushed in this hobby

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thanks for your response. I added Dr. Tim's quick start to the tank yesterday. I was under the impression that the solution will populate bacteria quickly enough for the ammonia level to be at 0 within a day or so.

I haven't done any ammonia dosing or testing- just added the Dr. Tim's product.

Added it to what? What is already in the tank?

 

[Nate92]

Added it to what? What is already in the tank?

Hi, Randy! Currently in the tank is cured live rock (I did a muriatic acid bath) and live CaribSea Fiji Pink sand. The rocks and sand had been sitting in the tank for the better part of the last week without any water flow (my pumps were not fully running until yesterday, which is when I added the Dr. Tim's).

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Might be substantial due off from the live sand. After adding the Dr Tims, I’d monitor for at least a few days.

 

[Nate92]

Might be substantial due off from the live sand. After adding the Dr Tims, I’d monitor for at least a few days.

Got it- that would make sense. I'll continue to monitor. Thanks again, Randy!

 

[Nate92]

Might be substantial due off from the live sand. After adding the Dr Tims, I’d monitor for at least a few days.

Hi, Dr. Holmes-Farley! I still haven't seen any changes in my ammonia levels, even after adding API Quick start yesterday as well. It's still hovering somewhere between 0.5 and 1 PPM. Any suggestions on how to troubleshoot? Do I need to test for PH? I put my water through an RO/DI system of course, but it did come from a city tap to start... Many thanks again!

 

[Sparkymarc]

No ammonia or nitrates is best. My tank took almost four weeks to cycle.