Help interpreting fishless cycle readings

Dr. D

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I decided to try Dr. Tim’s One and only on my new 100g tank. Using Hanna test kits, I recorded the following values. (pH rose from 8.0-8.2 over this time):

Day 1: Added Dr. Tim’s (forget the exp date, but it was fresh) and recommended ammonia drops. No readings because tests were in the mail.

Day 2: NH3 = 7, NO2 = 2.5

Day 3: Didn’t add ammonia as both readings weren’t under 5

Day 4: NH3 = 3, NO2 = 2.2 (added ammonia as readings were both under 5)

Day 6: NH3 = 23, NO2 = 2.5

Day 7: NH3 = 23, NO2 = 2.5

Day 8: NH3 = 55, NO2 = 2.5

Day 9 is tomorrow, and I have my first (quarantined) fish in the mail, 2 clowns and 3 Benggai cardinals.

Do these readings make sense? Will my fish be ok?
 
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crazyfishmom

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I decided to try Dr. Tim’s One and only on my new 100g tank. Using Hanna test kits, I recorded the following values. (pH rose from 8.0-8.2 over this time):

Day 1: Added Dr. Tim’s (forget the exp date, but it was fresh) and recommended ammonia drops. No readings because tests were in the mail.

Day 2: NH3 = 7, NO2 = 2.5

Day 3: Didn’t add ammonia as both readings weren’t under 5

Day 4: NH3 = 3, NO2 = 2.2 (added ammonia as readings were both under 5)

Day 6: NH3 = 23, NO2 = 2.5

Day 7: NH3 = 23, NO3 = 2.5

Day 8: NH3 = 55, NO3 = 2.5

Day 9 is tomorrow, and I have my first (quarantined) fish in the mail, 2 clowns and 3 Benggai cardinals.

Do these readings make sense? Will my fish be ok?
Based on these results, I do not think your tank is fully cycled. As you can see, ammonia is increasing.

As Randy mentioned, you may want to add another bacterial source.
 
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Dr. D

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Thanks, but I've painted myself into a corner. Will my fish be OK to add tomorrow?
 

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Can you provide more info? Which Hanna checker are you using? Based on your reported value You may be using HI733. If that is the case:
You are measuring NH4+, and using a free ammonia calculator with 55 ppm NH4+, that would be roughly 3 ppm free ammonia assuming 35 ppt salinity, 77 F temperature, and 8.1 pH. My understanding is that would be fatal.

But maybe I am wrong, please provide a bit of info about which model number checker you are using (and the units of measurement).

If your free ammonia is toxic, there are a few options:
1. Ask shipper to delay
2. Ask LFS to hold fish (for free or for a fee)
3. RUn out and grab a small QT tank (like 10 gallon) to hold the fish
4. ~100% water change in the big tank.
 
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Can you provide more info? Which Hanna checker are you using? Based on your reported value You may be using HI733. If that is the case:
You are measuring NH4+, and using a free ammonia calculator with 55 ppm NH4+, that would be roughly 3 ppm free ammonia assuming 35 ppt salinity, 77 F temperature, and 8.1 pH. My understanding is that would be fatal.

But maybe I am wrong, please provide a bit of info about which model number checker you are using (and the units of measurement).

If your free ammonia is toxic, there are a few options:
1. Ask shipper to delay
2. Ask LFS to hold fish (for free or for a fee)
3. RUn out and grab a small QT tank (like 10 gallon) to hold the fish
4. ~100% water change in the big tank.
Well that's scary. I'm using Hanna HI784, ppm NH3/NH4+ checker. Is that less scary?

I'm getting in the car to drive an hour+ to the closest LFS, which has Fritz Turbo in stock. Thanks to all.

Scott
 

drolmaeye

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Well that's scary. I'm using Hanna HI784, ppm NH3/NH4+ checker. Is that less scary?

I'm getting in the car to drive an hour+ to the closest LFS, which has Fritz Turbo in stock. Thanks to all.

Scott
Yes, HI784 is less scary! The range for the HI784 is 0.00 to 2.50 ppm. Can you please clarify the units of your measurements in your first post? what does "NH3 = 55" mean? How did you get that number?
 

drolmaeye

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That’s exactly what the checker says.
I'm just looking at the manual for the HI784, and I am seeing "ppm NH3/NH4+" with a max range of 2.50. The checker should flash "2.50" if it is higher than this (Over Range). Maybe there is a new version of the checker that I do not know about?
 
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Dr. D

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Sorry if I’ve been unclear. The first readings above are from this checker:
IMG_4432.png


The second readings are from

IMG_4433.png
 

crazyfishmom

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Ok, that makes sense. The readings are inverted. Unfortunately it confirms that there’s a significant amount of ammonia in your tank as you’re maxed out (2.5). I agree with the previous recommendation of getting a small 10 gallon tank to hold the fish if you cannot get the shipper to change dates or get an LFS to hold the fish for you.

If you choose to go the 10 gallon tank way, you’ll have to change out most of the water daily as ammonia can accumulate very quickly and hurt your fish.

How many fish do you have on the way?

Also, huge water changes on your larger tank are needed and good amount of starter bacteria.

I would also recommend Stability and microbacter 7 when you do start adding fish to the tank. These should be added daily for a couple of weeks to help the biological filtration withstand the change in bioload.
 

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Sorry if I’ve been unclear. The first readings above are from this checker:
IMG_4432.png


The second readings are from

IMG_4433.png
Okay, now we are getting somewhere! The green one measures NO2- and the yellow one measures NH4+/NH3, so the first post is swapped.

I interpret your readings as this: we don't know how much ammonia is in your system because your ammonia checker is maxed out at 2.50. We know your cycle may be starting because your nitrite values are increasing, but I believe they should go *much* higher before we are comfortable the ammonia is safe.

Can you get a simple API ammonia test while at the LFS? It would be good to get a true and proper reading of NH4+/NH3.
 

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