Oh no the NH3...

[Katze]

Hello everyone!

So I got NH3/NH4 in my large 100g tank... which is just 2months old with not much rock at all...
The levels turned out to be 1,5 on salifert, so today I added 2 more kilos of live rock and a biological filter block from my 2 yrs old tank.
Currently only 1 fish inhabits the tank, who is a scopas tang some signs of becoming weaker can be seen -fins somewhat ragged + signs of pathogens on the fish. I may move them into the small tank for the time being.

After adding bonus LR and live filter media is there anything else to be done ?
+How much time will it take to bottom the NH3 out ?

 

[EgotisticObeseChihuahua]

It sounds like your tank hasn't fully cycled. You should move the tang to a "safer tank" for the time being as it could develop Ammonia burns if it hasn't already. The bacteria from the media and rocks should help with the cycle, but the cycle could take anywhere from two weeks to a couple months.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Did you do anything to cycle it?

 

[Katze]

Did you do anything to cycle it?

Yes I added 1(or 2) pill of aquili bacterium+

 

[Katze]

Perhaps... I should add another one ?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I'd add more bacteria of a different brand, if you can get it.

 

[Katze]

I'd add more bacteria of a different brand, if you can get it.

So I added 2x more rock, +Maxspect anaerobic block from an already running tank +more bacteria all this a week ago yet it is still 1.5 (when lit from above it reads 0.5 - I still look it from the side) How ?!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

So I added 2x more rock, +Maxspect anaerobic block from an already running tank +more bacteria all this a week ago yet it is still 1.5 (when lit from above it reads 0.5 - I still look it from the side) How ?!

Maybe the test is not working, or the bacteria you are adding are not useful for some reason.

 

[Katze]

Right, so next day I'll get a prodibio ampulle. The test is definetely working, I tested my older tank's water and it says 0.

 

[Katze]

Maybe the test is not working, or the bacteria you are adding are not useful for some reason.

I have an update on this whole mess. The test kit still reads 1.5-1. And not even one soul lives in that tank.
I do have nitrates if that matters.
I'll do another update whenever the NH3/NH4+ gets lower or during the next week.

 

[Katze]

An unexpected but not unwelcomed development.:
Since my last entry I added 1 pill of bacteria + I dared to do a 10% waterchange (all this, yesterday)
Anyway is this a 0 ? I even waited +3 minutes to reassure the reading.