Added to much ammonia to start cycle! Now what

[mpekoske]

Good morning everyone

I have been out of the saltwater game for about 3 years now and decided to get back into it. My wife got me a small BioCube and I got dry rock and live sand. I'm only in my 8th day of my cycle so don't plan on adding anything for at least another 5-6 weeks. My question is I started my cycle with ace hardware ammonia which I did with my past tanks but think I added to much as my ammonia and nitrate readings are very high... should I just have patience or should I do a small water change to get my ammonia levels to more reasonable levels? (Also added seachem stability to add bacteria)

Thank you in advance
Matt

 

[tjm9331]

Added to much ammonia to start cycle! Now what

Don't add anything else and just give it time.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[mpekoske]

Great thank you... just didn’t know if having too much ammonia would effect the bacteria and cycle from running it’s course

 

[nereefpat]

Your nitrate test readings won't be accurate at this point in the cycle.

What is the ammonia level?

If it's too high, it can slow things down. A water change will bring it down.

 

[mpekoske]

The ammonia on the test strip was at the +8ppm so you think a small water change would help things along?

 

[lapin]

While some users have reported problems with high ammonia levels over 4 others have not. If you wanted to be safe do a 50% water change to bring it down and add some more bacteria. Its a small Biocube, the amount of salt water is not that much for piece of mind.

 

[nereefpat]

I would go ahead and change 75% of the water, but it's up to you.

 

[Elijahh]

I started my tank 4 weeks ago with dry rock, all I added was seachem stability as per instructions. After 2 weeks i did a 20% water change, after 3 weeks i added 2 damsels. I was checking my parameters thru out and were always on point.
Easiest cycle ever compared to previous setups where i used live rock.
Keep it simple.

 

[mcgyvr]

I also recommend a large water change now..
1-2ppm of ammonia is plenty to start a cycle..
Above 5 has been reported to cause problems/stunting bacterial growth,etc...

 

[mpekoske]

Thanks everyone for the help... I did a 50% water change last night and will test tonight

 

[tjm9331]

This is what I love about this forum, you can give the incorrect answer and you have 5 or 6 people right there to get your back and give the right advise and they don't burn you for giving the incorrect advise.

and I learned something too!

 

[nereefpat]

This is what I love about this forum, you can give the incorrect answer and you have 5 or 6 people right there to get your back and give the right advise and they don't burn you for giving the incorrect advise.

and I learned something too!

You didn't give bad info. I think, in general, most cycling questions can be answered "just wait longer."

In this case, since the ammonia is so high, and the tank is so small, I would recommend changing water.

 

[tjm9331]

You didn't give bad info. I think, in general, most cycling questions can be answered "just wait longer."

In this case, since the ammonia is so high, and the tank is so small, I would recommend changing water.

thanks Pat, in this particular instance though I kinda did give bad info. I didn't take into consideration the size of the tank to the amount of ammonia he has.

I also didn't realize that when ammonia goes over 2ppm it can stunt bacterial growth, which was the learning part

 

[NikonN8]

I wouldn't be so quick to condemn it as bad info anyway - I've had those strips read so far off from a more "scientific" test, run head-to-head, that the tank water might well have only been 2-3ppm. If true, things would run as normal and we'd all just sit back and go "oh, you must have the extra-special super-fast bacteria" and never know any better.

...But if it will make you feel any better, I'm sure some of us would be happy to roast you

 

[Green Chromis]

I started my tank 4 weeks ago with dry rock, all I added was seachem stability as per instructions. After 2 weeks i did a 20% water change, after 3 weeks i added 2 damsels. I was checking my parameters thru out and were always on point.
Easiest cycle ever compared to previous setups where i used live rock.
Keep it simple.

:fish1: Hi, there is a lot more to cycling a tank, then just getting the bacteria to grow, but it is a good start. :fish1:

 

[mpekoske]

After the water change now ammonia is around 2ppm which is more manageable and my nitratea are off the charts so seems like my cycle is working... could more weeks and I should be good to add a cuc... thanks for everyone’s help!

 

[nereefpat]

After the water change now ammonia is around 2ppm which is more manageable and my nitratea are off the charts so seems like my cycle is working... could more weeks and I should be good to add a cuc... thanks for everyone's help!

Your nitrate test readings won't be accurate at this point in the cycle.

No reason to test for nitrates until ammonia and nitrite read zero. They interfere with the nitrate kit.

Good to see ammonia down to a reasonable level. You are right, it's just a matter of waiting now.

 

[mcgyvr]

nevermind.. I'm sleepy

 

[mpekoske]

Tested ammonia tonight and at 0...so will dose up to 2ppm and see how long it takes to process, looks like I’m headed in the right direction... thanks again for everyone’s help once it process 2 ppm in 24 hours I’ll do a large water change and then leave it for another week to make sure the cycle is established