Ammonia extremely high during cycle

becky2312 · 09/01/2008, 01:47 PM

I filled my tank last weekend (ro/di water) and added some bagged "live" sand and a few small pieces of cured lr from the lfs. Saturday afternoon I added 45 pounds of figi lr that I ordered. I had tested the ammonia on Friday and it was showing 0 then, which is what I figured since I had only added a few pieces of lr. I just tested the ammonia (about 48 hours after adding the 45 pounds of lr) and it's now reading 8.0. I tested it twice just to make sure because it seemed so high. Do I need to do a large water change? If so, how much? I'm guessing the ammonia getting this high has probably killed any hitchhikers that might have been on the lr. Any other tips/suggestions/etc.?

Michael · 09/01/2008, 01:50 PM

no, its cycling, just be patient, keep monitoring the ammonia and nitrite, you will lose some hitchikers and gain others with living rock, it could take a while yet before it starts to drop as well, just dont add any livestock until the ammonia and nitrite have been 0 for 2-3 days then water change to reduce nitrate

caorca · 09/01/2008, 03:27 PM

Patience is something we all have to have when we're starting a tank. Sounds like you're doing everything right. Just wait for the tank to finish cycling, like Michael syas.

caorca · 09/01/2008, 03:29 PM

Patience is something we all have to have when we're starting a tank. Sounds like you're doing everything right. Just wait for the tank to finish cycling, like Michael says.

becky2312 · 09/01/2008, 08:30 PM

Thanks! I just didn't think the ammonia was supposed to get THAT high. Thought I might need to do a water change or something, but I'll just wait it out.

Playa-1 · 09/01/2008, 08:44 PM

That pretty high, but like everybody said, You will just have to wait it out. It could easily take 4 to 8 weeks for the tanks to cycle. If you clean off any obvious dead material on the rock then it will likely speed up the process a little.

pledosophy · 09/01/2008, 11:08 PM

I would do the test again.

Ammonia that high will kill the bacteria you are trying to breed.

Michael · 09/01/2008, 11:28 PM

ive checked my log, and i got to 4 then it dropped, after thinking again, perhaps as mentioned its worth testing again actually, i was thinking about this and 8 is high.you will need to confirm 8 first, if so then water change and then sit and monitor the cycle, although i would also be tempted to ride it out, i dont think water changes are good ideas during cycling but well with 8 if proven in your case you may have to

greenbean36191 · 09/02/2008, 06:54 AM

If this was my tank I would definitely do a large water change. Contrary to popular belief, there is no benefit to having measurable ammonia in the tank. It doesn't make the cycle any faster and can kill off more life on the rock, making things worse. 8 is very high.

becky2312 · 09/02/2008, 08:19 AM

Thanks! I think I will test again tonight when I get home from work and if it's still that high I will probably try to do a water change. As I said, I tested it twice just to make sure and it was the same both times. Unfortunately, I don't have any saltwater mixed up. I'll have to mix it tonight I guess and do the water change tomorrow night. I wasn't expecting to need a water change this soon . . .

Toddrtrex · 09/02/2008, 09:06 AM

I have personally always done water changes during the cycle. I paid decent money for the "life" on my rocks, and want to do all that I can to preserve it. My cycles never took longer then a month and the rocks look great afterwards.

09/01/2008, 01:47 PM	#1
becky2312 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 24	Ammonia extremely high during cycle I filled my tank last weekend (ro/di water) and added some bagged "live" sand and a few small pieces of cured lr from the lfs. Saturday afternoon I added 45 pounds of figi lr that I ordered. I had tested the ammonia on Friday and it was showing 0 then, which is what I figured since I had only added a few pieces of lr. I just tested the ammonia (about 48 hours after adding the 45 pounds of lr) and it's now reading 8.0. I tested it twice just to make sure because it seemed so high. Do I need to do a large water change? If so, how much? I'm guessing the ammonia getting this high has probably killed any hitchhikers that might have been on the lr. Any other tips/suggestions/etc.?

09/01/2008, 01:50 PM	#2
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	no, its cycling, just be patient, keep monitoring the ammonia and nitrite, you will lose some hitchikers and gain others with living rock, it could take a while yet before it starts to drop as well, just dont add any livestock until the ammonia and nitrite have been 0 for 2-3 days then water change to reduce nitrate __________________ Don't be afraid to ask questions, we in the new to the hobby are here to help you [For My Tank Spec,Photo Album,Articles and website, click on my name] MY Very Kindest and Warmest Regards , MIKE Current Tank Info: I have a 92 gal Corner Tank, and way too many pieces of equipment to list really, (proud member of the reef central corner club)

09/01/2008, 11:08 PM	#7
pledosophy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Beaverton Posts: 5,290	I would do the test again. Ammonia that high will kill the bacteria you are trying to breed. __________________ 120g mixed reef 90g QT

09/01/2008, 11:28 PM	#8
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	ive checked my log, and i got to 4 then it dropped, after thinking again, perhaps as mentioned its worth testing again actually, i was thinking about this and 8 is high.you will need to confirm 8 first, if so then water change and then sit and monitor the cycle, although i would also be tempted to ride it out, i dont think water changes are good ideas during cycling but well with 8 if proven in your case you may have to __________________ Don't be afraid to ask questions, we in the new to the hobby are here to help you [For My Tank Spec,Photo Album,Articles and website, click on my name] MY Very Kindest and Warmest Regards , MIKE Current Tank Info: I have a 92 gal Corner Tank, and way too many pieces of equipment to list really, (proud member of the reef central corner club)

09/02/2008, 06:54 AM	#9
greenbean36191 Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Ft. Lauderdale Posts: 10,598	If this was my tank I would definitely do a large water change. Contrary to popular belief, there is no benefit to having measurable ammonia in the tank. It doesn't make the cycle any faster and can kill off more life on the rock, making things worse. 8 is very high. __________________ Some say the sun rises in the East. Some say it rises in the West. The truth must be somewhere in the middle. Current Tank Info: tore them down to move and haven't had the time or money to set them back up

09/01/2008, 03:27 PM	#3
caorca Premium Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Orange, Ca Posts: 57	Patience is something we all have to have when we're starting a tank. Sounds like you're doing everything right. Just wait for the tank to finish cycling, like Michael syas.

09/01/2008, 03:29 PM	#4
caorca Premium Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Orange, Ca Posts: 57	Patience is something we all have to have when we're starting a tank. Sounds like you're doing everything right. Just wait for the tank to finish cycling, like Michael says.

09/01/2008, 08:30 PM	#5
becky2312 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 24	Thanks! I just didn't think the ammonia was supposed to get THAT high. Thought I might need to do a water change or something, but I'll just wait it out.

09/01/2008, 08:44 PM	#6
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,497	That pretty high, but like everybody said, You will just have to wait it out. It could easily take 4 to 8 weeks for the tanks to cycle. If you clean off any obvious dead material on the rock then it will likely speed up the process a little.

09/02/2008, 08:19 AM	#10
becky2312 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 24	Thanks! I think I will test again tonight when I get home from work and if it's still that high I will probably try to do a water change. As I said, I tested it twice just to make sure and it was the same both times. Unfortunately, I don't have any saltwater mixed up. I'll have to mix it tonight I guess and do the water change tomorrow night. I wasn't expecting to need a water change this soon . . .

09/02/2008, 09:06 AM	#11
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	I have personally always done water changes during the cycle. I paid decent money for the "life" on my rocks, and want to do all that I can to preserve it. My cycles never took longer then a month and the rocks look great afterwards. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef