I'm a little confused...

[Bleigh]

On the bottle of dr tims ammonium chloride it says to use 4 drops per gallon. Mine is a 55 gallon. I started by adding 220 drops or 9 ml. I may have overdosed to ammonia at first because on day 4 my ammonia level went up to 8.0 but the next day is was down to 2.0. And continued to drop after that. It hit zero on 9/30. The nitrites dropped to zero on 10/8 but only for that day.

I’m curious how many days you were adding ammonia - in a purely academic sense. It doesn’t matter, just curious how many days it took to get to that level of nitrates.

If you’re planning on corals down the road, you may look at getting a more accurate/precise testing kit than api. It’s really important to be aware of error associated with the test you’re using. I did a quick google of the api and only see that it is “accurate”. All tests have some amount of error associated with them though. It should be in your paperwork/packaging if you’re curious. Some tests have a lower error than others and the precision you need is dependent on what you’re keeping. For instance, the Hannah phosphate (ppm) reader has an error of +/- .04 (what I had until I got my phosphates closer to 0, cause that error wasn’t as important to
Me when they were higher) and the Hannah phosphorous (ppb) reader has an error of +/- .015 (which I am switching to now that my phosphates are closer to 0 and .04 is a lot to be off by.)

I’d say you’re probably good to add your clowns. My nitrates have been as high as 100 ppm and my fish didn’t care. My corals did. But not the fish. I’d stay on water changes to get the nitrates closer to 10 once you add them. But no rush. Happy reefing!

 

[ScubaFish802]

I’m curious how many days you were adding ammonia - in a purely academic sense. It doesn’t matter, just curious how many days it took to get to that level of nitrates.

If you’re planning on corals down the road, you may look at getting a more accurate/precise testing kit than api. It’s really important to be aware of error associated with the test you’re using. I did a quick google of the api and only see that it is “accurate”. All tests have some amount of error associated with them though. It should be in your paperwork/packaging if you’re curious. Some tests have a lower error than others and the precision you need is dependent on what you’re keeping. For instance, the Hannah phosphate (ppm) reader has an error of +/- .04 (what I had until I got my phosphates closer to 0, cause that error wasn’t as important to
Me when they were higher) and the Hannah phosphorous (ppb) reader has an error of +/- .015 (which I am switching to now that my phosphates are closer to 0 and .04 is a lot to be off by.)

I’d say you’re probably good to add your clowns. My nitrates have been as high as 100 ppm and my fish didn’t care. My corals did. But not the fish. I’d stay on water changes to get the nitrates closer to 10 once you add them. But no rush. Happy reefing!

Out of curiosity I’ve gone through the whole API manual 2-3 times to try to find that #%, all I can find is the word “accurate”. However the Nitrate chart does read all the way up to 160 ppm

I added pics of all the english pages incase I missed the accuracy (if someone is curious lol).

But +2 on a different test kit. I use the Salifert test kits and keep these APIs as a backup incase Salifert is ever questioned.

 

[Dark_Knightt]

I'm too scared. I dont want to put the fish in there for them to just die.

I would suggest putting in a clownfish or two because they are hardy to fluctuations and will help start/end the cycle. Or you could put a damsel fish in there, because they are probably the hardiest fish, only they get aggressive. I would suggest clowns though

 

[MixedFruitBasket]

I have checked. Its still 2.0 ppm. I'm using an api saltwater master kit.

This is probably one of those "duh" suggestions, so no offense if you've already done this...but when you test your water are you shaking up the bottles of reactant really well before you start putting drops into the test tubes?

Also, are you cleaning your test tubes before and after each test (rinsing (no soap or cleaner) with RODI water or some sort of non chlorinated water, then leaving uncapped upside down to dry out) and after rinsing before a test, rinsing again in the salt water you are going to test. (one drop of clean water in the tube can alter results). When you put in your water into the test tube, are you looking to make sure the meniscus (the bottom curve of the water level) is on the line?

Lastly, bottles of testing fluid should be kept at room temperature, not in the garage, or some other non-climate controlled space.

My personal experience has been failure to do any one of those things, thoroughly and religiously, can drastically alter your test results.


Having said all that, my take runs nitrates at 30-40 on the average. This is done on purpose for the coral I have. My fish do fine, and I have mostly leopard wrasse, which are delicate.

 

[Bleigh]

Out of curiosity I’ve gone through the whole API manual 2-3 times to try to find that #%, all I can find is the word “accurate”. However the Nitrate chart does read all the way up to 160 ppm

I added pics of all the english pages incase I missed the accuracy (if someone is curious lol).

But +2 on a different test kit. I use the Salifert test kits and keep these APIs as a backup incase Salifert is ever questioned.

hmmm. Would take some research to find that number I suppose.

 

[WV Reef]

Ok...I did it! I did a BIG water change on Saturday, and went and picked up a couple of clowfish and a cleaner shrimp! All of my levels have been good so far and everybody seems to be very happy!

 

[Aggie1978]

Bravo! I am enjoying this thread as I am about to start my first "cycle" as well, with my first saltwater/reef tank.

 

[KrisReef]

Way to go @WV Reef. The tank is fantastic!


Moving forward; Has anyone suggested you feed your fish lightly?

My spouse couldn't walk by our tank without feeding our little fishes. I kept noticing fish cubes disappearing and the tank wasn't happy. Your nitrate problem looked tame compared to the issues we had in the tank from multiple feedings.

 

[WV Reef]

Bravo! I am enjoying this thread as I am about to start my first "cycle" as well, with my first saltwater/reef tank.

Good luck! I am in love. I only have a few little buddies in mine right now but I can't stay away from it. I absolutely love watching them!

 

[WV Reef]

Way to go @WV Reef. The tank is fantastic!


Moving forward; Has anyone suggested you feed your fish lightly?

My spouse couldn't walk by our tank without feeding our little fishes. I kept noticing fish cubes disappearing and the tank wasn't happy. Your nitrate problem looked tame compared to the issues we had in the tank from multiple feedings.

Thank you. I barely feed them anything. Just a teeny tiny pinch in the morning and at bedtime. My levels are staying good so far.

 

[Bleigh]

Sounds like it's time to make a build thread!