nitrogen cycle

reachjohnnyliu · 06/19/2019, 09:10 AM

How high is the ammonia level supposed to reach during the nitrogen cycle? I'm had a piece of peeled raw shrimp in the tank for over a week now and i'm getting an ammonia level of 0.8. It's been at tha tlevel for about 3 days now. Also how long does it take for the tank to clear up after you add the salt and bacteria starter.

mcgyvr · 06/19/2019, 09:56 AM

Anywhere from .5-2ppm is plenty..
.8ppm is just fine.
Continue waiting for the ammonia and nitrite levels to reach zero before starting to think about stocking the tank..

It can take days to a few weeks or more depending on many variables for a tank to clear and be fully cycled. There are too many variables to give anything more than that time frame.

Patience is key to success in this hobby..

At this point all you need to do is top off the tank with fresh water to make up for evaporation.. (Note that I said freshwater and not saltwater as the salt does not evaporate)
You should also monitor the ammonia and nitrite levels if you have the test kits for them..
No further addition of an ammonia source is necessary.

If you wish you can remove the shrimp body at this time or just leave it in..

bnumair · 06/21/2019, 10:33 PM

What bacteria did you use?
If it's a sterile tank with dry rock and sand I would add a small pinch of fish food to help introduce carbon source.
In my study I have found only Fritz Turbostart 900 to have worked really well in sterile tanks followed by Dr Tim one and only ot Bio Spria.
Ammonia levels of 0.8 is just fine and now shrimp should be pulled and discarded.

reachjohnnyliu · 06/21/2019, 10:43 PM

tank has basically fully cleared up. i went to check on the shrimp and 90% of it was gone. what was left was sucked up by the gyre. lol

06/19/2019, 09:10 AM	#1
reachjohnnyliu Registered Member Join Date: May 2019 Posts: 56	nitrogen cycle How high is the ammonia level supposed to reach during the nitrogen cycle? I'm had a piece of peeled raw shrimp in the tank for over a week now and i'm getting an ammonia level of 0.8. It's been at tha tlevel for about 3 days now. Also how long does it take for the tank to clear up after you add the salt and bacteria starter.

06/19/2019, 09:56 AM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Anywhere from .5-2ppm is plenty.. .8ppm is just fine. Continue waiting for the ammonia and nitrite levels to reach zero before starting to think about stocking the tank.. It can take days to a few weeks or more depending on many variables for a tank to clear and be fully cycled. There are too many variables to give anything more than that time frame. Patience is key to success in this hobby.. At this point all you need to do is top off the tank with fresh water to make up for evaporation.. (Note that I said freshwater and not saltwater as the salt does not evaporate) You should also monitor the ammonia and nitrite levels if you have the test kits for them.. No further addition of an ammonia source is necessary. If you wish you can remove the shrimp body at this time or just leave it in.. __________________ Who me?

06/21/2019, 10:33 PM	#3
bnumair Dr. Reef at ur service Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tulsa, Ok, USA Posts: 7,751 Blog Entries: 15	What bacteria did you use? If it's a sterile tank with dry rock and sand I would add a small pinch of fish food to help introduce carbon source. In my study I have found only Fritz Turbostart 900 to have worked really well in sterile tanks followed by Dr Tim one and only ot Bio Spria. Ammonia levels of 0.8 is just fine and now shrimp should be pulled and discarded. __________________ Water Quality: NO3 0,Phos 0,Cal 440,Alk 7.5,Mag 1300 "Reef Fast, You Crash, Reef Slow, You Pass" Mike's Reef 3:16 Current Tank Info: 350g DT,95g sump, 50g Frag tank, 4800gph return 4x Sea swirls. 6x AI Vega Color. 200# Pukani rock, dual recirculating skimmer, Biopellet, GFO Carbon rx's, Cal rx. Closed loop. 1.5hp chiller, genesis renew. Apex & RKE

06/21/2019, 10:43 PM	#4
reachjohnnyliu Registered Member Join Date: May 2019 Posts: 56	tank has basically fully cleared up. i went to check on the shrimp and 90% of it was gone. what was left was sucked up by the gyre. lol