Help? Ammonia issue?

[MoeStachio]

Ok so aside from just wait it out, I'd like some advice/help/insight/suggestions here

Started a new tank, no existing biomedia

CaribSea LifeRock
CaribSea Fiji Pink live sand
RODI Water
Dr Tims Bacteria

After a few days I added some QuickStart XLM from Brightwell Aquatics as the ammonia was running high and I wasn't sold the bacteria was taking effect.

A week passes, ammonia still running high, take some water to the LFS and have it tested to eliminate test inaccuracy- ammonia tested the same (1.98ppm on a Hanna vs 2 on the API kit)

Nitrates present at .41ppm , nitrites were 0. Everything else was good, except ammonia.

LFS suggests I pick up an established bioblock from a tank they keep for such things (this was Sunday morning). Done. Dropped it in.

We're now on Tuesday night, tested ammonia. 2ppm.

Nitrates have gone up to .8 ppm, nitrates around .25ppm

Now before I do anything else, and add more QuickStart...

Is there anything else I can or should do instead?

I'm aware I'm likely just impatient and need to wait. But the consistency of the testing (2x/day) at or around 2ppm has me concerned I missed a step, messed something up, or fell short of doing a good enough job for my tank to graciously bestow a livable environment on me.

 

[MoeStachio]

I should mention as per the instructions I received, I added a pinch of pellet food to the tank to act as an ammonia source on the set up day.

 

[MoeStachio]

Bump

 

[PopBot16]

Yeah, it's common to see ammonia elevated for a while and then all of a sudden drop, at which time you will see elevated NO2. Best advice is just keep your hands off it for a week and then test again. Take this time to plan out your livestock, filtration, maintenance schedule, etc.

 

[MoeStachio]

Thanks! I'm already at 8ppm of nitrates as of last night and ammonia is stuck at 2 still, testing daily.

Nitrites were at .25ppm when I tested last night.

 

[ShanePike]

How many days has it been so far?

Is it possible the food is still breaking down, still creating ammonia?

 

[MoeStachio]

How many days has it been so far?

Is it possible the food is still breaking down, still creating ammonia?

7+

There's still some there on the sand... but there's been no real fluctuation. Which is what's confusing me

I'd expect that the food would cause a spike, then drop off as the biofilter breaks it down...

This appears to be very steady ammonia and a hefty rise in Nitrate over time

I'm contemplating doing a 50% water change and seeing, but I don't wanna disrupt the process of the cycle if I can avoid it

 

[ShanePike]

If the food is still there in the sand, I would assume it's still breaking down. My guess (and I would definitely want someone with more experience to chime in like they did here) is that the food is still breaking down, creating new ammonia. Meanwhile, the ammonia that has already been created is being nitrified. So nitrites and nitrates are going up, while ammonia is staying somewhat flat as the food continues to break down.

I would just give it more time.