Starting my cycle

[Michael v]

Got everything going on day three. I’m doing the dry rock with live sand. I’m going the old school method using a dead shrimp. I tested my water my ammonia level is 8.0. Nitrite is 0.2 and my nitrate is 2. The ph is8.2 the temperature is 79 f. I have one question when should I remove the shrimp?

 

[EmdeReef]

Ammonia 8ppm or 0.8?

I'd let the shrimp decompose, no need to remove. You may even need to feed more.

 

[Michael v]

Ammonia 8ppm or 0.8?

I'd let the shrimp decompose, no need to remove. You may even need to feed more.

My test chart says 8.0 I’m not sure if that’s ppm? Thanks for your reply.

 

[Bdroid]

My test chart says 8.0 I’m not sure if that’s ppm? Thanks for your reply.

Which test kit are you using to test your ammonia level? I started my cycling about a little over a week ago with the raw shrimp as well. The highest it has gotten was 2.0 ppm with the api saltwater master test kit. The shrimp is basically wrapped in a cocoon like substance...maybe it’ll turn into a butterfly lol

 

[Idoc]

If your ammonia is 8ppm, then you risk the cycle stalling. I would remove the shrimp at this time and keep testing to see if that 8ppm is accurate. You may have had some organic stuff in the dry rock that is also now decomposing... which would add additional ammonia to the system.

 

[Michael v]

If your ammonia is 8ppm, then you risk the cycle stalling. I would remove the shrimp at this time and keep testing to see if that 8ppm is accurate. You may have had some organic stuff in the dry rock that is also now decomposing... which would add additional ammonia to the system.

I’m using the Red Sea multi test kit. Thanks for the advice I’ll try that.

 

[Michael v]

Update I tested my water again this time my ammonia is 0.4 my nitrite is 0 and my nitrate is 2. I think when I put my ammonia at 8 it was really 0.8 sorry for that.