Problem measuring ammonia

[DFandango]

Hey guys!


I’ve been cycling a new 20-gallon tank for 7 days now, and I’m a bit confused about my ammonia readings.


My setup:

• Real Reef rock
• Ocean Direct “live” sand
• AquaForest Life Bio Fil filter media
• ARKA Special Blend to seed the tank with bacteria, as recommended by my local fish store

I haven’t detected any ammonia so far. I started testing daily on day 3, and since I wasn’t getting any readings, I ghost-fed a large amount of food on day 1 and added a dead mussel on day 3.

By day 7, the mussel had started to decompose and smell pretty bad, so I removed it. I tested for ammonia again, but the result was still 0 ppm.

Yesterday evening, I decided to dose ammonium chloride to 2 ppm to see if that would give me a reading. However, when I tested again just 15 minutes later, the result was still 0 ppm.

The strange thing is that I’m detecting a small amount of nitrite (although it could be 0 ppm) and a decent amount of nitrate, so I’m wondering whether the cycle is actually progressing or if something else is going on.

Could my Salifert ammonia test kit be faulty, even though it’s still within its expiration date? Or is it possible that the bacteria are processing the ammonia that quickly? Personally i don’t really think that’s possible considering my set up.

Before spending more money on another test kit, I’d love to hear your recommendations. Which ammonia test kit would you recommend for a saltwater tank, and has anyone experienced something similar?


Thanks in advance!

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Did you use wet live rock to start your tank? If you used wet live rock, the rocks are already cycled and processing the ammonia, this is the reason to buy wet live rocks, because you can stock the tank right away, compared to using dry rock which yuo need to wait for the cycle to complete.

So if you have wet live rocks and have been adding ammonia, then the nitrates should show a number, have you tested nitrates?

 

[Gumbies R Us]

If you used live rock, then your tank is cycled.

I would also be curious to know your nitrate levels.

 

[DFandango]

Did you use wet live rock to start your tank? If you used wet live rock, the rocks are already cycled and processing the ammonia, this is the reason to buy wet live rocks, because you can stock the tank right away, compared to using dry rock which yuo need to wait for the cycle to complete.

So if you have wet live rocks and have been adding ammonia, then the nitrates should show a number, have you tested nitrates?

Started with dry real reef rock! That’s why I was weirded out by not seeing any ammonia (no way dry rock cycles after 7 days) Just got back from my LFS to try a different test, turns out the salifert test was faulty. The new test shows me a clear 2 ppm ammonia right now which is to be expected after dosing the ammonia chloride. Nitrite is around 0.25 ppm and nitrates are at 2 so bacteria is actively working. With the ammonia finally testing correctly I can wait and check again tomorrow!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Started with dry real reef rock! That’s why I was weirded out by not seeing any ammonia (no way dry rock cycles after 7 days) Just got back from my LFS to try a different test, turns out the salifert test was faulty. The new test shows me a clear 2 ppm ammonia right now which is to be expected after dosing the ammonia chloride. Nitrite is around 0.25 ppm and nitrates are at 2 so bacteria is actively working. With the ammonia finally testing correctly I can wait and check again tomorrow!

Glad you were able to find out the issue!

 

[DFandango]

Cheers man! Still a bit disappointed by the Salifert test. Maybe it’s because it tests total ammonia? I’m a bit confused because the packaging and reactant all says NH3, but the color chart says NH3+NH4… could it be that it didn’t have enough total ammonia to react to? PH is at 8.2

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Cheers man! Still a bit disappointed by the Salifert test. Maybe it’s because it tests total ammonia? I’m a bit confused because the packaging and reactant all says NH3, but the color chart says NH3+NH4… could it be that it didn’t have enough total ammonia to react to? PH is at 8.2

All kits test total ammonia, and it is the appropriate number to note in posts at reef2reef.

It’s likely that the method just never generated ammonia faster than bacteria took it up.

Do you have a nitrate kit?

 

[DFandango]

All kits test total ammonia, and it is the appropriate number to note in posts at reef2reef.

It’s likely that the method just never generated ammonia faster than bacteria took it up.

Do you have a nitrate kit?

Aah check! Then I can confidently say the salifert test was faulty. Yesterday it still gave me a 0 ppm ammonia reading, 15 minutes after dosing to 2 ppm. Nitrates are at 0,5 ppm right now and hopefully climbing :)

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Ok, yes, that does seem faulty.

 

[Freenow54]

So I have been considering using live rock in my new tank. Previous one was using dry, and fishless method. What risk do you take introducing pests when using live rock?

 

[DFandango]

So I have been considering using live rock in my new tank. Previous one was using dry, and fishless method. What risk do you take introducing pests when using live rock?

If you have a good source, I’d say go for it! If your LFS has some quality live rock that’s been cured for a long time, I think it can only benefit your tank, especially if it comes from a separate system not connected to their display tanks. Nothing beats an established colony of bacteria for a quick cycle.

My previous tank was set up with live rock, and while it helped with the cycle, I ended up dealing with loads of nuisance algae, HUGE bristleworms in a 15G, vermetids and velvet, which unfortunately cost me my first pair of fish. That’s why I’m personally taking the longer route this time with dry rock.

That said, I’ve also heard plenty of stories from people who’ve used live rock for decades without ever having any issues. If I were to use it again, I wouldn’t get too excited about the quick cycle and rush to add fish. I’d quarantine the rock if possible or let it sit for a few weeks before introducing any fish, just to reduce the risk of potential diseases.

As for all the other little critters, you’ll probably end up getting plenty of those for free with your first frag anyway!

GL with the tank!

 

[Freenow54]

So I have been considering using live rock in my new tank. Previous one was using dry, and fishless method. What risk do you take introducing

If you have a good source, I’d say go for it! If your LFS has some quality live rock that’s been cured for a long time, I think it can only benefit your tank, especially if it comes from a separate system not connected to their display tanks. Nothing beats an established colony of bacteria for a quick cycle.

My previous tank was set up with live rock, and while it helped with the cycle, I ended up dealing with loads of nuisance algae, HUGE bristleworms in a 15G, vermetids and velvet, which unfortunately cost me my first pair of fish. That’s why I’m personally taking the longer route this time with dry rock.

That said, I’ve also heard plenty of stories from people who’ve used live rock for decades without ever having any issues. If I were to use it again, I wouldn’t get too excited about the quick cycle and rush to add fish. I’d quarantine the rock if possible or let it sit for a few weeks before introducing any fish, just to reduce the risk of potential diseases.

As for all the other little critters, you’ll probably end up getting plenty of those for free with your first frag anyway!

GL with the tank!

Thanks . I actually have an excellent source from a pair of scientists who run a closed to visitors business . They advertise " clean " live rock.