Ammonia level

[coralwolf]

My 55-gal tank is about nine weeks old now and my ammonia level is still reading between 0.1 to 0.2 since day one. NO2 & NO3 are both 0.0.
Is there anything I can do to lower my ammonia level or do I just need to be patient?

 

[tangman99]

If it's been this way since day 1, I would question my test kit or how you are reading it. Take some water to your LFS and get them to test it also to verify your test.

 

[coralwolf]

I've taken a sample of my water to my LFS and he gets the same reading.

 

[coralwolf]

Do you think I am still cycling after 9 weeks?
I was thinking that maybe I was over feeding so over the last few days I have cut back. I will check the levels again tonight.

 

[legion]

I would guess you would some type of trate/trite reading if it was over feeding. I only feed my fish once a day, as much as they can eat in a few minutes. You may still be cycling, so don't put anything else in tell you figure it out. It's always something, isn't it.

 

[jauringer]

are you using ammo lock to condition your water? If so that will give you a false amm reading. I had the same problem.

 

[goldrush]

Ammonia must be ZERO before adding anything.

 

[coralwolf]

I was using ammo lok but I took it out about two weeks ago.

 

[jauringer]

I would be willing to bet you have no ammonia reading, especialy with a Potters angel in there. From what I have research on a Potters if you had any reading at all he would be a gonner. I am definatly no expert however, I think you are fine. by the way how is you potters angel doing. I had many lfs say that they are almost impossible to keep unless in a reef tank.
Jason Auringer
55 g FOWLR
20lbs DS
20lbs LS
20bls LR
fluval 404
CPR Bak pak
2x55 lighthouse pc
2 damnsels
1 coral beauty
1 kole tang
1 cleaner shrimp

 

[coralwolf]

OK it's been ten weeks now and still no change my ammonia level is still between 0.1 and 0.2 since day one everything else is good.
I got a new test kit for ammonia and it reads the same. I’ve tested the water I use to replace evaporation and it tests 0.0 for ammonia, so I know the test kit is good.
Everything appears to be doing well but I'm afraid to add any more fish and I would like to.
Should I do a water change or just be patient?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated?

 

[coralwolf]

bump

 

[bradburycf]

You are not adding your fresh/replacement water to your biowheel filter are you? The reason I ask is that I did that to my sump (poured it over the bio balls cause it made less of a splash) and it kept wiping out the bacteria and dragged out my cycle forever before I figured out on my own just what the -h- I was doing.

 

[sammystingray]

Don't feed the tank for two days, and then feed once every two days until everything is zero. Obviously you must be overfeeding or getting a false reading. Don't worry about the fish......they won't starve, and I bet they would like to go a little hungry if it will stop their eyes from burning.

 

[coralwolf]

Thanks I'll give it a try.
I have missed the odd day of feeding thinking I was over feeding but then returned to regular feeding.
TY

 

[coralwolf]

Yes I am adding fresh water through my filter to keep the splash down and what you are saying makes sense.
Thanks I'll try that too.

 

[php]

you also might want to add cycle to your tank if you havent already

 

[bradburycf]

I think your tank will do just great if you do regular water chgs once a week and leave it everything else alone - now that you know not to replenish water over your biofilter. The beneficial bacteria is present because of the live rock, and so your cycle will be quick now. Good luck.

 

[coralwolf]

I did add about 13 lbs of LR about a week ago.
My Nitrite and Nitrate both are reading 0.0
Thanks for all the advise!!
I'll let you all know if there are any further developments.

 

[coralwolf]

Thanks we'll see how the week-end goes.