Ammonia Reading - API & NT Labs Results

[Spartan_Neptune]

I have been testing my tank consistently since cycling. Tank showed it was cycled and iv since added one clown and clean up crew in stages. Tank is 2 months old now, I feed lightly 3 times a day small pellets or frozen Mysis shrimp.

Nitrites - 0
Nitrates - 10
Ammonia - 0.2

Everything is thriving and iv added 2 corals also doing well - Hammer and a Duncan

I keep seing that test results can show false positive results? If this is true how can I get a 0 reading?

Stresses me out like I need to change higher % of water each week but in reality I feel like everything is doing well?

 

[Usarmy227]

How long have you been cycling?

Did you used turbo start or add any bacteria when you started?

I personally don’t feed pellets ever, I feel like it is very easy to over feed. Which will raise all your nutrients.

 

[Fish Fan]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

I think you're fine

It's not unusual to have a low level of ammonia in your tank, and may in fact be beneficial to corals and macro algae that can uptake ammonia from the water. Here's a post about ammonia from one of R2R's most well respected members:
https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/ammonia-is-our-friend.1062/
From that post:
"4. Toxic levels of ammonia are just not reached in typical operating reef aquaria. Seeing a measured value of 0.2 ppm, whether real or test error, is not a concern. It may be a benefit."

So your 0.20 ppm isn't really that concerning. If you see it continue to rise, then you may have an issue, but a 2 month old tank should be well cycled at this point.

Good luck!

 

[Fish Fan]

And indeed, some test kits seem to always indicate a low level of ammonia even when other indicators would suggest that the concentration is much lower, for example, the length of time the system has been running. API brand test kit seems act this way for a lot of R2R members.

 

[Usarmy227]

I have been testing my tank consistently since cycling. Tank showed it was cycled and iv since added one clown and clean up crew in stages. Tank is 2 months old now, I feed lightly 3 times a day small pellets or frozen Mysis shrimp.

Nitrites - 0
Nitrates - 10
Ammonia - 0.2

Everything is thriving and iv added 2 corals also doing well - Hammer and a Duncan

I keep seing that test results can show false positive results? If this is true how can I get a 0 reading?

Stresses me out like I need to change higher % of water each week but in reality I feel like everything is doing well?

And indeed, some test kits seem to always indicate a low level of ammonia even when other indicators would suggest that the concentration is much lower, for example, the length of time the system has been running. API brand test kit seems act this way for a lot of R2R members.

I agree with fish fan!!

If you think your cycled now I would invest in these.

Hanna Alkalinity checker
Hanna Nitrate High Range checker
Hanna calcium checker
Hanna mag checker
Hanna Phos Ultra Low checkr

 

[mcarroll]

I have been testing my tank consistently since cycling. Tank showed it was cycled and iv since added one clown and clean up crew in stages. Tank is 2 months old now, I feed lightly 3 times a day small pellets or frozen Mysis shrimp.

Nitrites - 0
Nitrates - 10
Ammonia - 0.2

Everything is thriving and iv added 2 corals also doing well - Hammer and a Duncan

I keep seing that test results can show false positive results? If this is true how can I get a 0 reading?

Stresses me out like I need to change higher % of water each week but in reality I feel like everything is doing well?

Your tank is cycled.

Folks get so wrapped around the axel over cycling these days....which is so odd because back in the day, we knew (from books) that cycling will happen whether you help or not.

It took more or less 30-40 days and you were just patient with it.

Of course we read reefing books back in the day – highly recommended! Online was just for support or "bonus content" and that was perfect.

 

[Spartan_Neptune]

How long have you been cycling?

Did you used turbo start or add any bacteria when you started?

I personally don’t feed pellets ever, I feel like it is very easy to over feed. Which will raise all your nutrients.

Followed instructions on seachem Stability to kick start the cycle 2 months ago. Add it in again when I water change.

I only feed a small amount of pellets once a day and try to make sure all consumed by the clown.

Also added in copepods.

Everything really is thriving, I just wonder if the test results show false positives or is it anything to worry about - seem to be mixed reviews from my research

Is it cause for concern, should I reduce feeding and change larger percentage of water?

In the tank I have 1 clown, 2 hermits, 1 turbo and 1 sand sifting snail with a Duncan and a hammer.

 

[Spartan_Neptune]

Appreciate the responses, genuinely think I’m alright, nice to get reassurance. I’ll keep testing and if I see ammonia reading go up I’ll probably be back on this post haha

Hannah checkers are in the want list from Santa Claus

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

It surprises many people to know that to kill a fish takes over 10 ppm total ammonia for several days of constant exposure.

Many people, including me, dose ammonia to my established reef tank.

 

[Usarmy227]

Appreciate the responses, genuinely think I’m alright, nice to get reassurance. I’ll keep testing and if I see ammonia reading go up I’ll probably be back on this post haha

Hannah checkers are in the want list from Santa Claus

Yeah, I think you are fine. The last time I tested for ammonia in my tank was January this year. I started my tank in December.
Any tank pictures? Would love to see!

 

[mcarroll]

It surprises many people to know that to kill a fish takes over 10 ppm total ammonia for several days of constant exposure.

Many people, including me, dose ammonia to my established reef tank.

10,000 fishless cyclers:

 

[Spartan_Neptune]

Yeah, I think you are fine. The last time I tested for ammonia in my tank was January this year. I started my tank in December.
Any tank pictures? Would love to see!

Not much to show yet haha but got a good idea of what I plan on filling it with in terms of corals.

As soon as I move house I’ll defo be investing in a bigger tank. This all started by me wanting to get my son a goldfish a few months ago He didn’t even get his goldfish