Ammonia through the roof. Help! Newbie.

[mrcrabbycrab]

Set up a 30gal tank exactly 1 month ago. The ammonia level is now through the roof.
Here's some background.
I've got 12lbs of live rock. Decent amount of live sand. The live rock came with a lot of critters. (crabs, snails, serpent starfish, etc.) The majority of the critters have died. I also got one Fire Fish (purple and yellow) per my aquarium store's recommendation. Probably incorrect.
Gear:
I have a large wet/dry filter, heater, protein skimmer and decent lighting.
What I've tried:
In an attempt to lower my ammonia level I've performed 2 major water changes thus far. (Keep in mind the tank has been running for 1 month) Each water change was 15 gallons. Both had zero effect on the ammonia level. I would also replace my filter media each time. Good or bad?
So...
I was told to ad 'Bio-Spira' after my second water change. I did this 4 days ago and my ammonia level has yet to change.
Am I not waiting long enough? Do the levels sky rocket for a few weeks then plummet?
Overwhelmed:
I've been to 3 different aquarium stores and I get different answers from each. So, at this point I'm completely lost. Honestly, I'm starting to feel nickel and dimmed. Also, overloaded with BS.
Therefore; I'm hoping this online community can help. There's no way I'm giving up, but I really hope I don't have to start over. Ugh. My 3 year old son loves the aquarium, but he's just as frustrated as I am.
Thanks.

 

[cranberry]

What is alive in the tank right now? Do you have the option of removing it to clean water or "homing" it somewhere until your tank cycles? Are your fish showing signs of stress? Do you have access to an Ammonia neutralizer?
The #1 thing right now is to get the ammonia away from the fish if there are any left alive.

 

[mrcrabbycrab]

Hello and thanks for your reply!
My fish (2 Fire Fish) seem just fine swimming around. Even with an ammonia level of 8.0!! I treated the tank with Ammo-Lock for 7 days per the directions. I know it neutralizes the ammonia, but it also states that levels 'should' go down. Obviously, the levels didn't. This is what prompted my '2' 15gal water changes and filter replacements. Then I was lead to Bio-Spira per a local 'Ma and Pa' aquarium store.
I sorta understand the 'homing' concept, but I honestly can't afford an aquarium for my aquarium. Wouldn't I just be relocating my fish to another 'un-cycled' aquarium where levels will rise the longer they stay?
Side note: All 3 of my hermit crabs died along with 4 snails. Plus, whatever was living on the live rock.
Thanks again for your help!
Originally Posted by Cranberry
http:///forum/post/3248958
What is alive in the tank right now? Do you have the option of removing it to clean water or "homing" it somewhere until your tank cycles? Are your fish showing signs of stress? Do you have access to an Ammonia neutralizer?
The #1 thing right now is to get the ammonia away from the fish if there are any left alive.

 

[flower]

8.0 ammonia...nothing would be alive...your test kits must be off.
What did you get from LFS readings? Post all test results.

 

[deejeff442]

agree a level of 8 would be like pouring liquid plumber in there.retest.usually ammonia only sticks around for a very short time.days not weeks.then to nitrites which isnt as toxic as ammonia.if the ammonia has been there for a while i would get a new test kit for accuracy

 

[mrcrabbycrab]

I agree. 8.0 is nuts.
Okay...
Here's the test results as of this morning. (using my API test kit)
Ammonia: 2.0 or 4.0 the color chart doesn't vary much between these two.
High Range PH: 7.8
NO2 Nitrite: 1.0
NO3 Nitrate: 5.0
So, what should be my next step? ANOTHER massive water change? Ride it out a few more days? Quit?
Thanks for all your help!
Originally Posted by Flower
http:///forum/post/3249033

8.0 ammonia...nothing would be alive...your test kits must be off.
What did you get from LFS readings? Post all test results.

 

[beaslbob]

Originally Posted by mrcrabbycrab
http:///forum/post/3249030
...
My fish (2 Fire Fish) seem just fine swimming around. Even with an ammonia level of 8.0!! I treated the tank with Ammo-Lock for 7 days per the directions.
...
!
Ammonia locks lock up the ammonia but most test kits like the api test kits still test positive for ammonia. The danger is you add more ammonia lock when all the ammonia is in fact locked up. A side effect is the ammonia locka also lock up oxygen so the fish could very die from lack of ozygen.
There is a test kit which measures total and free ammonia to determins if all the ammonia has been locked. In one extremem emergency I used prime and that test kit did show that almost all the ammonia was locked and none was the free type. Three fish in the tank also lived for over a week at those ammonia levels. And showed absolutely no stress what so ever.
PH did crash and nitrates rose. About a week later in a day ammonia dropped down to unmeasureable levels after I rinsed some filter media. I highly suspect I had added a toxin to the filter media causing the problem. Then about 3 weeks later ph rose and nitrates dropped..
I would do nothing, add some macro algaes, reduce feedings, and if possible have the water tested (or you test it yourself) for free and toatal ammonia. That way once the ammonia drops down the tank will be balanced out and stabilized.
My fear is the constant water changes and ammonia locks are shocking the system creating the problem.
my .02

 

[mrcrabbycrab]

Yes. Agreed.
I had added Ammo-Lock BEFORE I did my last major water change. I felt something was a miss and AmmoLock wouldn't help. So, I did a 15 gallon water change and changed the filter floss. New water. New filter media. I then consulted my LFS who gave me Bio-Spira. They felt I still didn't have the appropriate bacteria levels and needed a kick-start. I added the entire bottle. It has been 4.5 days thus far. Anyone had luck with this stuff?
I have also reduced feedings. Over the past week I have only fed the fish twice. I WAS (at the start) feeding them 4 times a week, but only very small amounts.
As of this morning my two Fire Fish seem happy. Both are digging holes around the live rock. When I do feed them they always CHOW DOWN! I have one hermit crab left out of 4. All my snails (5) tanked (no pun intended)
I'll wait a few more days or perhaps till this weekend rolls around.
Thanks for your help!
Originally Posted by beaslbob
http:///forum/post/3249595
Ammonia locks lock up the ammonia but most test kits like the api test kits still test positive for ammonia. The danger is you add more ammonia lock when all the ammonia is in fact locked up. A side effect is the ammonia locka also lock up oxygen so the fish could very die from lack of ozygen.
There is a test kit which measures total and free ammonia to determins if all the ammonia has been locked. In one extremem emergency I used prime and that test kit did show that almost all the ammonia was locked and none was the free type. Three fish in the tank also lived for over a week at those ammonia levels. And showed absolutely no stress what so ever.
PH did crash and nitrates rose. About a week later in a day ammonia dropped down to unmeasureable levels after I rinsed some filter media. I highly suspect I had added a toxin to the filter media causing the problem. Then about 3 weeks later ph rose and nitrates dropped..
I would do nothing, add some macro algaes, reduce feedings, and if possible have the water tested (or you test it yourself) for free and toatal ammonia. That way once the ammonia drops down the tank will be balanced out and stabilized.
My fear is the constant water changes and ammonia locks are shocking the system creating the problem.
my .02

 

[mrcrabbycrab]

My levels are where they should be except for Nitrate. Nitrate is at 20. Ammonia is at 0. What is a good way to lower the Nitrate? Water change? Now that I've gotten my levels pretty darn good I'm afraid if I do a water change I'll screw it up? Suggestions?
Thanks.