Correlation b/w Ammo spike and skimmer??

tranman · 01/16/2007, 03:05 PM

Hi,
I noticed something yesterday and don't know if it's just a coincidence.
My ammonia spike started around the 10th (Jan) @ 8.0 ppm for every day until I started my skimmer on the 14th.
On the 15th when I tested the water, my Ammo level went down to .50. Now that's a big drop!!
This morning, my Ammo level went down to .25.

Question is, if this b/c of the protein skimmer removing the Ammonia?
Or from the bact. removing the ammonia?
How can I tell?

I believe nitrites and nitirates had readings..somewhere in the middle..don't remember.
Thanks.

BurntOutReefer · 01/16/2007, 03:28 PM

the skimmer is removing nutrients etc before they can break down so thats helping.....
This a new tank then? sounds like you are in your cycle....
if so, then its both factors...skimmer and your Nitrite/Nitrates are becoming active

tranman · 01/16/2007, 05:46 PM

What if it's my skimmer doing all the work.
And the big ammonia drop was b/c of the skimmer and I don't have any good bacterias in there?
How can I tell if I have a colony of bacteria in there now?
Other than using a microscope to look in the water for them.

BurntOutReefer · 01/16/2007, 05:59 PM

ok...lets start fresh.
You tank is how old?
You said you had a nitrite reading....they (Nitrosommas) need ammom to live...so somewhere along the line, you had a cycle. (I think you are still in the tail end of one).....do you have any fish in there yet?...
If you are reading Nitrates...what level? Looks like time for a water change.....
If you can read Nitrates, than your bacteria are all there.
With Ammon you cant have Nitrites. Without Nitrites, you cant have Nitrates. Without Nitrates, you cant have Nitrogenous Gas.
Its an endless cycle.
How old is teh tank?

WaterKeeper · 01/16/2007, 06:55 PM

Protein decomposes to ammonia so removing before it can is the major purpose of a "Protein" skimmer.

tranman · 01/16/2007, 07:49 PM

There are no fish in there right now.
Just 14 hermit crabs (small)
I just started setting up the tank on Jan. 7th Sunday.
I'll see what the level of Nitrites and Nitrates is.
I did change 20% water on the 13th.

Thanks!

tranman · 01/17/2007, 09:31 AM

Here is my Nitrite and trate reading...

trite is 2.0
and Trate is 10

Thanks!

01/16/2007, 03:05 PM	#1
tranman Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 23	Correlation b/w Ammo spike and skimmer?? Hi, I noticed something yesterday and don't know if it's just a coincidence. My ammonia spike started around the 10th (Jan) @ 8.0 ppm for every day until I started my skimmer on the 14th. On the 15th when I tested the water, my Ammo level went down to .50. Now that's a big drop!! This morning, my Ammo level went down to .25. Question is, if this b/c of the protein skimmer removing the Ammonia? Or from the bact. removing the ammonia? How can I tell? I believe nitrites and nitirates had readings..somewhere in the middle..don't remember. Thanks.

01/16/2007, 06:55 PM	#5
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	Protein decomposes to ammonia so removing before it can is the major purpose of a "Protein" skimmer. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

01/16/2007, 07:49 PM	#6
tranman Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 23	Hey BurntOutReefer There are no fish in there right now. Just 14 hermit crabs (small) I just started setting up the tank on Jan. 7th Sunday. I'll see what the level of Nitrites and Nitrates is. I did change 20% water on the 13th. Thanks!

01/17/2007, 09:31 AM	#7
tranman Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 23	BurntOutReefer Here is my Nitrite and trate reading... trite is 2.0 and Trate is 10 Thanks!

01/16/2007, 03:28 PM	#2
BurntOutReefer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Granada Hills Posts: 4,376	the skimmer is removing nutrients etc before they can break down so thats helping..... This a new tank then? sounds like you are in your cycle.... if so, then its both factors...skimmer and your Nitrite/Nitrates are becoming active

01/16/2007, 05:46 PM	#3
tranman Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 23	What if it's my skimmer doing all the work. And the big ammonia drop was b/c of the skimmer and I don't have any good bacterias in there? How can I tell if I have a colony of bacteria in there now? Other than using a microscope to look in the water for them.

01/16/2007, 05:59 PM	#4
BurntOutReefer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Granada Hills Posts: 4,376	ok...lets start fresh. You tank is how old? You said you had a nitrite reading....they (Nitrosommas) need ammom to live...so somewhere along the line, you had a cycle. (I think you are still in the tail end of one).....do you have any fish in there yet?... If you are reading Nitrates...what level? Looks like time for a water change..... If you can read Nitrates, than your bacteria are all there. With Ammon you cant have Nitrites. Without Nitrites, you cant have Nitrates. Without Nitrates, you cant have Nitrogenous Gas. Its an endless cycle. How old is teh tank?