Ammonia

[Thakr21]

Day 3 of cycling and my Ammonia test reads that it is at an alarming point. I've had an SW tank before and never had probs with it, but had to take it done because of moving for school. So since its been awhile I cannot remember how to bring my ammonia down or even how it was caused. Im assuming either my water I used to mix the salt isn't good enough or the sand I placed in it is bad. The sand had been sitting in my garage for about 6 months prior to opening it. Can anyone help me out? Thanks!

 

[Bagz]

it will go down automaticly, or the sand has sillicates in it. try a water change

 

[PatMayo]

Thakr21,
How long as the tank been up? What is in the tank? Do you have live rock? What type of substrate?

Lets start there and maybe we can give you some more direction.

Regards,

Pat

 

[bertoni]

Do some water changes. That should help.

What is in the tank?

 

[Thakr21]

All that is in the tank is my sand. It has been going to 4 days now.

 

[PatMayo]

I think your test is bad. You need to put something in the tank to start the cycle. A cycle can take up to 4 weeks. You have to have something in the tank like a dead shrimp you can get at the store so that it will rot and make ammonia. Then more bacteria will grow and turn the ammonia to nitrite. Once the Nitrite is present you will then have new bacteria that grows and then will turn the nitrite into the much less lethal nitrate. I would read up on the biology of a cycle.


Regards.

Pat

 

[bertoni]

Most ammonia test kits will work in fresh water. You could test some RO-DI or perhaps some freshly-mixed and aerated saltwater to see whether the test is working