Quick way to get ammonia down.

[zatchyvsalt]

I have a 170 gallon tank that I just set up about 3 weeks ago. I put in new live sand and old rock from an existing already established tank. The rock is about 120lbs. I figured the tank would already be completely cycled but that doesn’t seem to be the case as the ammonia reading is elevated.

What would you recommend be do/add to the tank to drop the ammonia levels and help the tank cycle.

I do have about 9 fish in there now. Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[iannarelli]

I believe Prime will neutralize the ammonia so it's not harmful while still allowing it to serve as food for your bacteria colony to process it. You could also look into Stability. I've used that in an emergency (on a freshwater water tank) to transfer a bunch of fish to a new tank that was still cycling. Didn't lose any of them.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I believe Prime will neutralize the ammonia so it's not harmful while still allowing it to serve as food for your bacteria colony to process it. You could also look into Stability. I've used that in an emergency (on a freshwater water tank) to transfer a bunch of fish to a new tank that was still cycling. Didn't lose any of them.

No!!! Prime will do nothing for ammonia (as has been proven by the scientists on this forum!)

@zatchyvsalt , water changes are the only sure fire way to reduce ammonia.
Other longer term solutions are to add more nitrifying bacteria - bottled or otherwise. Stability is one brand of nitrifying bacteria, although arguably not the best.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I have a 170 gallon tank that I just set up about 3 weeks ago. I put in new live sand and old rock from an existing already established tank. The rock is about 120lbs. I figured the tank would already be completely cycled but that doesn’t seem to be the case as the ammonia reading is elevated.

What would you recommend be do/add to the tank to drop the ammonia levels and help the tank cycle.

I do have about 9 fish in there now. Any help would be much appreciated.

Now the other question is, what test are you using for ammonia and what is the reading?
If you're using API, and if the color is below 0.5, you're ok, but don't add any more fish for a while. (And might be wise to do a water change just in case).

 

[gbroadbridge]

I have a 170 gallon tank that I just set up about 3 weeks ago. I put in new live sand and old rock from an existing already established tank. The rock is about 120lbs. I figured the tank would already be completely cycled but that doesn’t seem to be the case as the ammonia reading is elevated.

What would you recommend be do/add to the tank to drop the ammonia levels and help the tank cycle.

I do have about 9 fish in there now. Any help would be much appreciated.

Water changes are the only way of removing ammonia.

There is no chemical method that works.

What is the ammonia level and what are you using to measure it?

 

[zatchyvsalt]

Now the other question is, what test are you using for ammonia and what is the reading?
If you're using API, and if the color is below 0.5, you're ok, but don't add any more fish for a while. (And might be wise to do a water change just in case).

Unfortunately my Hanna Checker is out of the reagent. So I’m using API. It’s reading about a 1.0. I have about 50 gallons or so being prepped for a water change but it won’t be ready until tomorrow. I did recently add some of the Waste Away from Dr. Tim’s to help with some algae control on the rocks which it clouded the water a bit but it says it can show an elevated Ammonia reading.

So I’ll do the water change tomorrow and wait for my reagent to come in, fish do not seem to be stressed.

 

[zatchyvsalt]

Unfortunately my Hanna Checker is out of the reagent. So I’m using API. It’s reading about a 1.0. I have about 50 gallons or so being prepped for a water change but it won’t be ready until tomorrow. I did recently add some of the Waste Away from Dr. Tim’s to help with some algae control on the rocks which it clouded the water a bit but it says it can show an elevated Ammonia reading.

So I’ll do the water change tomorrow and wait for my reagent to come in, fish do not seem to be stressed.

 

[zatchyvsalt]

No!!! Prime will do nothing for ammonia (as has been proven by the scientists on this forum!)

@zatchyvsalt , water changes are the only sure fire way to reduce ammonia.
Other longer term solutions are to add more nitrifying bacteria - bottled or otherwise. Stability is one brand of nitrifying bacteria, although arguably not the best.

What would you recommend for the best? At this point I need to help the tank boost through the cycle since the live rock obviously wasn’t enough. I needed to transport them to the new tank quickly as the old one tank was cracked at a seam.

 

[Naekuh]

No!!! Prime will do nothing for ammonia (as has been proven by the scientists on this forum!)

lol i was waiting for you to drop that thermonuclear fusion bomb. :beaming-face-with-smiling-eyes:


OP, water change.. and more water change... and even more water change spread out several days, is so far my only recommendation to reduce ammonia.

Until your biological can keep up.

This is how you do it in a QT tank... water change... more water change... and even more water changes.

Do not use freshwater zeolite... or the ammonia sponge you find at lfs.
These are not intended for salt water usage.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

What would you recommend for the best?

Water changes.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

. I have about 50 gallons or so being prepped for a water change but it won’t be ready until tomorrow.

Why does it take so long to mix?

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

What would you recommend for the best? At this point I need to help the tank boost through the cycle since the live rock obviously wasn’t enough. I needed to transport them to the new tank quickly as the old one tank was cracked at a seam.

I understand you did the best you could given the cracked tank, but really the only advice at this point is to dilute the ammonia (by water changes).
I'm wondering though, if you used the same rock and other filter media that was supporting 9 fish in the old tank, why it would have a problem managing the same bioload if everything was moved to a new tank? Is it possible your API test is expired?

 

[zatchyvsalt]

Why does it take so long to mix?

Getting the temp right. My wife unplugged the heater and it was about 10 degrees colder

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Getting the temp right. My wife unplugged the heater and it was about 10 degrees colder

Microwave some and mix it back in

 

[AndrewE]

Microwave some and mix it back in

I wouldn't microwave anything. I've seen some recent research the showed anything you put in the microwave completely destroys nutrients.

I read a study (which I am going to try mysefl) where they took two potted plants from the same grower. One they used tap water to water the plant and the second they heated water in a microwave, let it cool and used that water to water the plant. The plant they used the microwaved water was dead in one week.

 

[gbroadbridge]

I wouldn't microwave anything. I've seen some recent research the showed anything you put in the microwave completely destroys nutrients.

I read a study (which I am going to try mysefl) where they took two potted plants from the same grower. One they used tap water to water the plant and the second they heated water in a microwave, let it cool and used that water to water the plant. The plant they used the microwaved water was dead in one week.

Post a link to this "research"

 

[GARRIGA]

Fritz Turbo seems to be the fastest bottler bacteria when applied at 5 times dosage.

API test strip is accurate. Have used that for cycling since 2015 and have tested it against reference sample I created using ammonium chloride.

Can’t speak to their titration kit as I’ve never used it but seems many reporting it shows ammonia when none is present. Having said that. Likely used it in the 80s and 90s as I don’t recall any other company but API at that time and do t recall ever reading ammonia after tank cycled.

Another test kit I rely on is the SeaChem ammonia alert. Can take four hours to reset but seems very accurate.

I’m not seeking precision when testing ammonia. Just presence or absence.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I wouldn't microwave anything. I've seen some recent research the showed anything you put in the microwave completely destroys nutrients.

I read a study (which I am going to try mysefl) where they took two potted plants from the same grower. One they used tap water to water the plant and the second they heated water in a microwave, let it cool and used that water to water the plant. The plant they used the microwaved water was dead in one week.

I think you were misled by internet trolls.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

If someone really has a substantial ammonia issue (1 ppm doesn’t qualify, IMO), and cannot change water, lowering pH will help. Soda water and vinegar are both acceptable options.