Ammonia Test Issue

sean144 · 01/06/2014, 08:19 AM

I am currently going through my cycle process (BTW I am using Soloman Isle Cured Live Rock) and the only issues...if it is an issue....is the Ammonia test. I know that Ammonia may spike during the curing process, but mine seems to be at a low level, but the solution in the test tube is cloudy. I have had freshwater tanks for years and this is my first reef tank and I have never seen the solution be cloudy. I just wasn't sure if it was normal for the ammonia to be cloudy during the curing process.....also, here is what I am running: 55 gal tank, aqueon 110 gal hang on back filter with (sponge, ammonia, and a zeo-carb filter packs), live reef sand, and coralife 65g protein skimmer (currently down...waiting on new valve assembly...found out it had a tiny hole in it and was releasing micro bubbles back into tank). Thanks for any input/suggestions.

Spyderturbo007 · 01/06/2014, 09:28 AM

If I'm reading your question correctly, you're asking if the Ammonia test should be cloudy? If so, then yes, that is normal.

brandon429 · 01/06/2014, 09:41 AM

api test kit

called it lol

brandon429 · 01/06/2014, 09:41 AM

post tank pics, lets see if there is any free ammonia in the tank off pics alone.

tmz · 01/06/2014, 03:00 PM

Cloudy is normal . API is fine as are other ammonia kits. Don't know which you are using. Waht level of ammonia is indicated if any. The rock may be fully cycled it it was cured well.

sean144 · 01/06/2014, 09:27 PM

Yes. I am using the API test kits. The ammonia seems to be around a cloudy 1.0. As far as the other tests: Nitrite is 0ppm (light blue color) and Nitrate is between 0 and 5ppm (light yellow color). The rock was supposedly cured when I bought it at my local store...they told me it might only take a week or two to cure. It has only been in since 1/1/14. So I am sure I will have a little more time before curing is done. The pic shows that the water is clear...it may look a little cloudy but that is from the glass just needing a light scrub. While I am thinking about it...I had a couple pieces of dry rock come off the PVC...if I add a couple small pieces now will it mess up the curing or since its dry rock will it not affect anything at this stage?

bertoni · 01/07/2014, 04:03 PM

The dry rock might have enough organic debris to spike the ammonia a bit, but it's fine to add, IMO. A small spike at this point is fine.

01/06/2014, 08:19 AM	#1
sean144 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 13	Ammonia Test Issue I am currently going through my cycle process (BTW I am using Soloman Isle Cured Live Rock) and the only issues...if it is an issue....is the Ammonia test. I know that Ammonia may spike during the curing process, but mine seems to be at a low level, but the solution in the test tube is cloudy. I have had freshwater tanks for years and this is my first reef tank and I have never seen the solution be cloudy. I just wasn't sure if it was normal for the ammonia to be cloudy during the curing process.....also, here is what I am running: 55 gal tank, aqueon 110 gal hang on back filter with (sponge, ammonia, and a zeo-carb filter packs), live reef sand, and coralife 65g protein skimmer (currently down...waiting on new valve assembly...found out it had a tiny hole in it and was releasing micro bubbles back into tank). Thanks for any input/suggestions.

01/06/2014, 03:00 PM	#5
tmz ReefKeeping Mag staff Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: West Seneca NY Posts: 27,691	Cloudy is normal . API is fine as are other ammonia kits. Don't know which you are using. Waht level of ammonia is indicated if any. The rock may be fully cycled it it was cured well. __________________ Tom Current Tank Info: Tank of the Month , November 2011 : 600gal integrated system: 3 display tanks (120 g, 90g, 89g),several frag/grow out tanks, macroalgae refugia, cryptic zones. 40+ fish, seahorses, sps,lps,leathers, zoanthidae and non photosynthetic corals.

01/07/2014, 04:03 PM	#7
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	The dry rock might have enough organic debris to spike the ammonia a bit, but it's fine to add, IMO. A small spike at this point is fine. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

01/06/2014, 09:28 AM	#2
Spyderturbo007 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: PA Posts: 2,564	If I'm reading your question correctly, you're asking if the Ammonia test should be cloudy? If so, then yes, that is normal.

01/06/2014, 09:41 AM	#3
brandon429 Registered Member. Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 3,460	api test kit called it lol

01/06/2014, 09:27 PM	#6
sean144 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 13	Yes. I am using the API test kits. The ammonia seems to be around a cloudy 1.0. As far as the other tests: Nitrite is 0ppm (light blue color) and Nitrate is between 0 and 5ppm (light yellow color). The rock was supposedly cured when I bought it at my local store...they told me it might only take a week or two to cure. It has only been in since 1/1/14. So I am sure I will have a little more time before curing is done. The pic shows that the water is clear...it may look a little cloudy but that is from the glass just needing a light scrub. While I am thinking about it...I had a couple pieces of dry rock come off the PVC...if I add a couple small pieces now will it mess up the curing or since its dry rock will it not affect anything at this stage?