have amnonia in my substrate , new setup

[mcozad829]

So I just want to make sure I'm reading this right, your cat used your substrate as kitty litter, that substrate was then used in a new tank, your ammonia was really high, so you added bleach to bring the ammonia levels down?

 

[Oceanutz]

So I just want to make sure I'm reading this right, your cat used your substrate as kitty litter, that substrate was then used in a new tank, your ammonia was really high, so you added bleach to bring the ammonia levels down?

Correct, I did a lot of rinsing and washing in between leach and rinsed again. The initial test went down after that . Now there 1.5 , 2. Had fish in tank for couple of days , they didn't have any problems, but r moving them to my already cycled tanks . As per advice from this community. Want to cycle with no living thing.

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[mcozad829]

Ok, for future reference Prime is an ammonia neutralizing product that is non toxic, bleach obviously in certain concentrations will kill anything. Do you have a way to test the amount of bleach in your water?

 

[Oceanutz]

So I just want to make sure I'm reading this right, your cat used your substrate as kitty litter, that substrate was then used in a new tank, your ammonia was really high, so you added bleach to bring the ammonia levels down?

Ammonia ,should drop and turn into nitrite, correct ,then another cycle from nitrite to nitrate , right. Tank is considered cycled,after that from my understanding.

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[Oceanutz]

Ok, for future reference Prime is an ammonia neutralizing product that is non toxic, bleach obviously in certain concentrations will kill anything. Do you have a way to test the amount of bleach in your water?

I do , I didn't add alot. I have a 90 gal and only added 1/2 a cup. But just tested chloride and have no traces. It's been about a week now.

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[mcozad829]

Correct, that is the progression of the nitrogen cycle, as it pertains to this hobby.

 

[Oceanutz]

Correct, that is the progression of the nitrogen cycle, as it pertains to this hobby.

I do have a serious question though. After my tank Cycles and by some chance my ammonia levels rise again off the chart. The problem would obviously being a substrate which at this time I would change out. My question is should I set up my sump before I'm done cycling , what does hinder my cycling time?

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[Oceanutz]

Correct, that is the progression of the nitrogen cycle, as it pertains to this hobby.

Another question I have. Once my ammonia levels turn into nitrite, will my ammonia levels drop to zero?

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[fijisrfr]

Really? You used used substrate from a litter box?
If so, I'm speechless! I'm all for saving some $$$ but where did you get this horrible idea?


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[mcozad829]

I do have a serious question though. After my tank Cycles and by some chance my ammonia levels rise again off the chart. The problem would obviously being a substrate which at this time I would change out. My question is should I set up my sump before I'm done cycling , what does hinder my cycling time?

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Another question I have. Once my ammonia levels turn into nitrite, will my ammonia levels drop to zero?

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If done correctly once your cycle is complete your ammonia will drop to zero and stay at zero. Now what you need to remember is that fish exhale ammonia and release it in their waste, this ammonia is then food for the nitrifying bacteria that consume it and release nitrite as a byproduct, there is then a different type of bacteria that consumes nitrites and releases nitrates as a byproduct. Cycling is the process of building up the populations of these bacteria, the bacteria themselves will only grow to meet their food (ammonia or nitrite). They will not reproduce if the existing amount of ammonia is being consumed by the existing bacteria. So when you add a fish to a tank you are essentially adding more ammonia than the current population of bacteria can handle and they then reproduce to their maximum capacity. If you add too much at one time you will see a spike in ammonia because the bacteria have not reproduced to a level that can keep up with the amount of ammonia being introduced by the fish. So in short, yes ammonia should stay at zero, however adding too fish much too quickly will cause an ammonia spike even in a well cycled tank. If there is ammonia in your substrate the nitrifying bacteria should reproduce to a population that can handle the leached ammonia from the substrate. Adding bleach is a bad idea, because it will kill the bacteria and slow the cycle way down. In the beginning ammonia is good let it go, keep testing and don't add anything, after a few weeks you should see ammonia drop to zero followed by the nitrite spike and finally the nitrate spike. This is when you can begin to slowly add life to your tank, remember adding too fast will restart the cycle. cheers.

 

[Oceanutz]

If done correctly once your cycle is complete your ammonia will drop to zero and stay at zero. Now what you need to remember is that fish exhale ammonia and release it in their waste, this ammonia is then food for the nitrifying bacteria that consume it and release nitrite as a byproduct, there is then a different type of bacteria that consumes nitrites and releases nitrates as a byproduct. Cycling is the process of building up the populations of these bacteria, the bacteria themselves will only grow to meet their food (ammonia or nitrite). They will not reproduce if the existing amount of ammonia is being consumed by the existing bacteria. So when you add a fish to a tank you are essentially adding more ammonia than the current population of bacteria can handle and they then reproduce to their maximum capacity. If you add too much at one time you will see a spike in ammonia because the bacteria have not reproduced to a level that can keep up with the amount of ammonia being introduced by the fish. So in short, yes ammonia should stay at zero, however adding too fish much too quickly will cause an ammonia spike even in a well cycled tank. If there is ammonia in your substrate the nitrifying bacteria should reproduce to a population that can handle the leached ammonia from the substrate. Adding bleach is a bad idea, because it will kill the bacteria and slow the cycle way down. In the beginning ammonia is good let it go, keep testing and don't add anything, after a few weeks you should see ammonia drop to zero followed by the nitrite spike and finally the nitrate spike. This is when you can begin to slowly add life to your tank, remember adding too fast will restart the cycle. cheers.

Thank you so much, that was really what I was looking for. You were very courteous, in your response and very helpful.
If you have the time , and the knowledge. Can you help me with my sump design,i have all the equipment, lack the proper plumbing design to keep from ever flooding.

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[mcozad829]

Thank you so much, that was really what I was looking for. You were very courteous, in your response and very helpful.
If you have the time , and the knowledge. Can you help me with my sump design,i have all the equipment, lack the proper plumbing design to keep from ever flooding.

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Sure PM me and we can talk it over

 

[Oceanutz]

How new is your setup? If you've just placed substrate in ammonia is generally a good thing, it means your tank can cycle. Did you use live sand? If so could be natural die off from micro organisms What are your perameters (nitrite, ammonia, nitrate,sg temp)? If your ammonia isn't too high it might be worth getting some live rock to increase your bacteria population and get your bio filter started. I had luck with seachem stability as well.

If you get cured live rock from an lfs you can use a little bit and then get a bunch more dry rock (much cheaper) to cycle. After placing it where you like, wait as long as it takes to ge your ammonia and nitrites down to 0, then water change and you can add a cleanup crew

So ur saying that after the tank Cycles I should do a water change. And what is the cleanup crew for? I found out today that the tank was high in phosphate. I added Rowl phos. It should remove the phosphate I didn't know that that was much of a concern in the beginning of a tank but I hear it is.

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[Grimreaperz]

Or you could have just done a water change 20-25% to lower an excess nutrients or phosphates. After Nitrate spike you should do water change to lower Nitrates. Corals and things eat absorb some nitrates but anything over 25 ppm is toxic I think.

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[Oceanutz]

Ok. I understand that. I just put 3 fish in my coral tank , 2 of them spread out over 3 days , I should get a ammonia spike there , shouldn't I ? Im thinking of leaving them in there , 1 clown , 1 skunk , and a hippo.

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[Oceanutz]

Really? You used used substrate from a litter box?
If so, I'm speechless! I'm all for saving some $$$ but where did you get this horrible idea?


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No dude, I had my tank in storage for 10 or more years and when we got a cat , I noticed her in the tank a couple of tea , before I knew what she was doing. I , immediately took the substrate out and put a stop to the cat's extra activities.

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