On cycle= low ammonia but high nitrate

[mooputingtong]

Hi guys, Im on a 7 days of cycle and ammonia has been low all the time around .25ppm or more but nitrates has been hitting off the chart(really dark purple). I havent done any water change or change filter socks(also using dry rock for cycle 45LB). Is it because of this 3 reasons im having such a high nitrates and ammonia? i will do 60% water change,change filter socks,add more bacteria and will update tomorrow if any signs of lower ammonia and nitrates. happy reefing!

 

[Spare time]

High nitrate is normal depending on how much ammonia you added. Just make sure nitrite doesn't skyrocket (it can affect the bacteria that remove ammonia).

Also, 3 questions

What test kit?

What did you use to start the cycle for the ammonia source?

Did you have the filter socks in when you added your bacteria?

 

[mooputingtong]

High nitrate is normal depending on how much ammonia you added. Just make sure nitrite doesn't skyrocket (it can affect the bacteria that remove ammonia).

Also, 3 questions

What test kit?

What did you use to start the cycle for the ammonia source?

Did you have the filter socks in when you added your bacteria?

i use salifert kit

i used fritz ammonium chloride

i have filter socks all the time.

i had lower nitrate in first dose but after second dose nitrate skyrockets.

 

[K7BMG]

i use salifert kit

i used fritz ammonium chloride

i have filter socks all the time.

i had lower nitrate in first dose but after second dose nitrate skyrockets.

As it should be.
As you did not say and are using Fritz ammonia chloride I gather you used Fritz turbo start 9000 for bacteria?
What was your peak ammonia test results?
Have you tested Nitrite at all? if so what was the peak result?

I recommend doing a 60% or more water change, then leave the tank alone do not add bacteria or change anything.
Wait 24 to 48 hours and test ammonia and nitrate again.
If ammonia is 0 and nitrate is 10-30 your most likely cycled.

To test the cycle is complete, you can do a controlled test.
Add ammonia chloride slowly until your ammonia test shows a result of 1.0 no more. At this point less is more do not exceed 1.0.
Then wait 24 hours and it should be back to .25 or 0 and your nitrate will have raised again.
If this is the case your good to go.
But another water large water change will be needed.

 

[mooputingtong]

As it should be.
As you did not say and are using Fritz ammonia chloride I gather you used Fritz turbo start 9000 for bacteria?
What was your peak ammonia test results?
Have you tested Nitrite at all? if so what was the peak result?

I recommend doing a 60% or more water change, then leave the tank alone do not add bacteria or change anything.
Wait 24 to 48 hours and test ammonia and nitrate again.
If ammonia is 0 and nitrate is 10-30 your most likely cycled.

To test the cycle is complete, you can do a controlled test.
Add ammonia chloride slowly until your ammonia test shows a result of 1.0 no more. At this point less is more do not exceed 1.0.
Then wait 24 hours and it should be back to .25 or 0 and your nitrate will have raised again.
If this is the case your good to go.
But another water large water change will be needed.

i used bio spira for cycling and im constantly adding 5ml each day after a full bottle.
i think it was around 1 or 2ppm but the test result were hard to tell.
i did not test for nitrite.

i will do 60% water change today and change filter socks as well. i will monitor for few days and see if is decreasing.

 

[Spare time]

i use salifert kit

i used fritz ammonium chloride

i have filter socks all the time.

i had lower nitrate in first dose but after second dose nitrate skyrockets.

Becareful with swapping out the socks as you are supposed to remove those for 48 hours after adding bacteria because they tend to like to stick to surface like that and GAC.


Again high nitrates is normal after cycling. You can do water change or use some bacteria like waste away that will lower that and phosphate to a degree.

 

[Lasse]

About your high nitrate levels - Check your nitrite levels - if they are low (< 0.05 ppm) - your nitrate levels is right - if Nitrite is high (and probably they are) - you nitrate readings is false - please see this thread

An total ammonia level of 0.25 is a normal false reading from most of the total ammonia tests I know of. Even if it is a true reading - no problem because is not mainly the toxic form. But check your nitrites - if they ar low too - you are safe

Sincerely Lasse

 

[mooputingtong]

About your high nitrate levels - Check your nitrite levels - if they are low (< 0.05 ppm) - your nitrate levels is right - if Nitrite is high (and probably they are) - you nitrate readings is false - please see this thread

An total ammonia level of 0.25 is a normal false reading from most of the total ammonia tests I know of. Even if it is a true reading - no problem because is not mainly the toxic form. But check your nitrites - if they ar low too - you are safe

Sincerely Lasse

i will get a nitrite test kit too! thank you

 

[K7BMG]

i used bio spira for cycling and im constantly adding 5ml each day after a full bottle.
i think it was around 1 or 2ppm but the test result were hard to tell.
i did not test for nitrite.

i will do 60% water change today and change filter socks as well. i will monitor for few days and see if is decreasing.

Ok so full bottle of BioSpira. cool like the stuff myself.
You feel your ammonia test was 1-2ppm at the peak. perfect.
At this point I am going to change my recommendation.
pull the socks do not replace them yet and leave it be for an additional 7 days.
Do not continue to add BioSpira ammonia or anything. Just allow nature to do its thing.
By adding more bottled bacteria you adding hungry populations to a food depleted system.


It is an average of 14 to 21 days for a tank to cycle properly.
Just like it takes 70 to 80 days for carrots to grow from seed to harvest.
Or 9 months to have a child.

Test in 7 days and see what the results are.
From that point act.

 

[brandon429]

All you have to do here is wait ten days total, change large amount of water and begin

Your nitrate reading proves you dosed live bacteria, and fritz has already been tested to three days, so ten was extra for safety. It can't fail

Already been tested, Dr Reefs bottle bac thread, Fritz was fastest

 

[mooputingtong]

Ok so full bottle of BioSpira. cool like the stuff myself.
You feel your ammonia test was 1-2ppm at the peak. perfect.
At this point I am going to change my recommendation.
pull the socks do not replace them yet and leave it be for an additional 7 days.
Do not continue to add BioSpira ammonia or anything. Just allow nature to do its thing.
By adding more bottled bacteria you adding hungry populations to a food depleted system.


It is an average of 14 to 21 days for a tank to cycle properly.
Just like it takes 70 to 80 days for carrots to grow from seed to harvest.
Or 9 months to have a child.

Test in 7 days and see what the results are.
From that point act.

So wait few more days without changing filter socks? then change water and filter socks?

 

[mooputingtong]

All you have to do here is wait ten days total, change large amount of water and begin

Your nitrate reading proves you dosed live bacteria, and fritz has already been tested to three days, so ten was extra for safety. It can't fail

Already been tested, Dr Reefs bottle bac thread, Fritz was fastest

i will wait for few more days and keep testing ammonia and nitrate levels.