ammonia spike question

southernsong · 05/31/2007, 08:31 PM

hi, new here--been reading alot. I've cycled my tank and put some live rock in that I was told was cycled---it was not and obviously is having some die off per the smell (mild) and the ammonia spike per test kit. The color line for the ammonia test kit is between .3 and .6 or thereabouts. I have some snails in there that seem fine--are inverts not susceptible to the spike?---should I do anything besides aggressive water changes? How much water changing is too much over a short period of time (as in losing all of your cycled water?)
thanks in advance,
cindy

alexb518 · 05/31/2007, 09:32 PM

noooo, inverts are extremely sensitive. you're doing a good job; keep doing small water changes. for the most part, any time you add something to your tank, you should expect a small-medium spike.

McCrary · 05/31/2007, 10:29 PM

I wouldn't do any more water changes, just let the spike settle on its own. You should see an increase in nitrates and as the ammonia concentrations decrease. When your ammonia is 0 and you have nitrates your cycle should be done. Snails and hermit crabs seem to be fairly resistant to poor water quality, but they do have a limit.

bertoni · 06/01/2007, 01:14 AM

I'd keep up the water changes, personally. The ammonia might be enough to damage the animals in the tank, although that's comparatively low for new live rock.

05/31/2007, 08:31 PM	#1
southernsong Moved On Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 26	ammonia spike question hi, new here--been reading alot. I've cycled my tank and put some live rock in that I was told was cycled---it was not and obviously is having some die off per the smell (mild) and the ammonia spike per test kit. The color line for the ammonia test kit is between .3 and .6 or thereabouts. I have some snails in there that seem fine--are inverts not susceptible to the spike?---should I do anything besides aggressive water changes? How much water changing is too much over a short period of time (as in losing all of your cycled water?) thanks in advance, cindy

05/31/2007, 10:29 PM	#3
McCrary Can't Stop Time Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,079	I wouldn't do any more water changes, just let the spike settle on its own. You should see an increase in nitrates and as the ammonia concentrations decrease. When your ammonia is 0 and you have nitrates your cycle should be done. Snails and hermit crabs seem to be fairly resistant to poor water quality, but they do have a limit. __________________ Matt Patience is the best remedy for every trouble. Titus Maccius Plautus (254 BC - 184 BC), Rudens

06/01/2007, 01:14 AM	#4
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I'd keep up the water changes, personally. The ammonia might be enough to damage the animals in the tank, although that's comparatively low for new live rock. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

05/31/2007, 09:32 PM	#2
alexb518 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: San Mateo Posts: 514	noooo, inverts are extremely sensitive. you're doing a good job; keep doing small water changes. for the most part, any time you add something to your tank, you should expect a small-medium spike.