Instant Ocean/Ammonia+Nitrites?

[Whitebird1]

I need some one who knows what they are doing to look at these numbers. I attached a spreadsheet as a file, I hope it works.

I have 3 tanks cycling at once.
Twin 12 gal Acupods
One 29gal

I am using a six stage water General RD-102 RO-DI water filter TDS tests 0
The water tests have been up and down on the total ammonia
if I am reading then correctly. (Seachem multitest)

I tested the new Instant Ocean mix and it showed ammonia and nitrites!

The only other possible factor that could change the test is that i used BIO-SPIRA Marine from Marineland Labs and it states that it could change the total ammonia results and some BIO-SPIRA could have hitch hiked on the air stone I use to aerate the new water, long shot, but possible.
Advice would be MUCH Appreciated!
Greg

 

[DrBDC]

It's possible that it hitched on the airstone. I personally won't put anything in my fresh salt mix that has seen a tank.

Did you add animals when you still had amm and nitrites present? If so that can cause a long extended cycle that has a hard time working itself out and you can be fighting much longer than than waiting the initial 4-6 weeks w/o anything at all in the tank.

 

[Boomer]

Greg

Most salt mixes will show ammonia because of the components used. Nitrate can interfere with nitrite readings.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I assume that you meant that nitrite can interfere with nitrate readings.


0.1 ppm ammonia is not out of the question for raw artificial seawater. Craig shows that in this article for a variety of salt mixes (he got 0.17 for IO; micromoles NH3:N per kg times 0.017 = ppm ammonai)


The Composition Of Several Synthetic Seawater Mixes
http://web.archive.org/web/20001215...om/fish2/aqfm/1999/mar/features/1/default.asp

 

[Whitebird1]

Thanks for advise

Thanks for advise

DrBDC- Yes I did add Critters and damsels, The Bio Spira method states that you could add fish within 24hrs. I added the B.S. because the cycles did not seem to be going that well, the rock was low grade carrob, raw, nasty Bricks from IMF. Was advertised to be U P Fuji!

Boomer, Randy Holmes-Farley
I had heard that salt mixes will show some NO2 and NH3-NH4 readings.

I think my game plan will be to place most of the critters and the fish into the fish only set up, in that the B.S. seemed to help and seems cycled. The 2 12gal reefs I will do some water changes and just give more time and buy A better Test Kit.
Next time, I would not use the Bio Spira, AKA B.S.! on reef setups, but would consider it on fish only tanks. Thanks
Greg

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

:thumbsup:

Good luck.