Flex Reef

[Glimmer_Reef]

Hey all! Long time reader, first time builder.
I decided to convert a flex 15 tank into a saltwater reef!

I’ve got an upgraded pump to get some flow and filtration. The flex marine nano light and a 50w heater.


It’s been around a week since I’ve added some cycle, as the bottle said to. And my ammonia is still way off the charts! Nothings really changed. No change in nitrates or anything. Everything seems good but the spiked ammonia.

Do I just wait and see what happens?

Thanks all!

 

[Cichlid Dad]

Keep us updated!

 

[andrewey]

When you say off the charts, what is the highest value on your chart? How much ammonia did you add? Did you start with live rock or dead rock? The reason I ask is because too high of ammonia can slow or stall the growth of nitrifying bacteria.

 

[Glimmer_Reef]

When you say off the charts, what is the highest value on your chart? How much ammonia did you add? Did you start with live rock or dead rock? The reason I ask is because too high of ammonia can slow or stall the growth of nitrifying bacteria.

I’m using the api saltwater test kit. So 6.1, with ph it’s around 0.03 ppm. I started with dry rock, live sand.

 

[andrewey]

I’m using the api saltwater test kit. So 6.1, with ph it’s around 0.03 ppm. I started with dry rock, live sand.

I'm not quite sure I understand. What does the 6.1 refer to? Volume of ammonia you added? pH? And the 0.03 refers to measured ammonia? Where are you getting this value?

Correct me if I'm mistaken, but the API kit has a reference card from 0-5ppm ammonia, with green being 5 or above. Are you using this kit or another version/maker?

 

[Glimmer_Reef]

I'm not quite sure I understand. What does the 6.1 refer to? Volume of ammonia you added? pH? And the 0.03 refers to measured ammonia? Where are you getting this value?

Correct me if I'm mistaken, but the API kit has a reference card from 0-5ppm ammonia, with green being 5 or above. Are you using this kit or another version/maker?

I’m using the master saltwater test kit from api. Their max ammonia value according to the cards is 6.1. Take that and factor in ph, and it gives you your total ammonia ppm.

 

[andrewey]

And you're sure you're not using the card from fluval pictured below?

 

[andrewey]

And what is the product you added and did you add any ammonia directly?

Independent of whatever your test is showing, and to be honest, I'm not sure I understand your results or trust them (the results, not you), there are three main possibilities:

1) You need more time and this is normal.
2) You cycle is slow because of high ammonia. This could be from over dosing ammonia (table shrimp, pure ammonia, fish food, etc.) or because your "live sand" introduced a ton of die off that's adding ammonia.
3) This is a test error.

If this is 1, time, and/or adding a bit of live rock will fix the problem.

If this is 2, you can either wait it out or perform a water change to lower the ammonia to a better range.

If this is 3, getting your water tested with another test kit (or at your LFS), performing serial dilutions with fresh saltwater to confirm your results, or forgoing ammonia testing altogether are good options.

 

[Glimmer_Reef]

And you're sure you're not using the card from fluval pictured below?

Oh crap! Yes, yes I am. My misteak!
So then, everything seems to be within spec then?

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Following along!

 

[andrewey]

No worries at all!

To be honest, I don't trust those fluval tests. That may be my bias, so take that with a grain of salt. I both don't trust their accuracy in reef aquaria and I don't think their scale/range provides a meaningful way of tracking ammonia when cycling a tank.

If you wish to track ammonia, I would suggest getting another test kit or letting your LFS check for you if you wish to check ammonia.

That being said, if you wish to continue with your current way, there's nothing wrong with that. I've "blind" cycled tanks before without issue. As long as you have proof that a tank is cycled (testing) or are willing to devote the time, live rock, or certain "bacteria in a bottle" routes, all tanks cycle eventually :)