Have I Put Too Much Ammonia In!

[jrussuk]

Hi,

Ive just started to cycle my 10g planted tank and after my 1st dose of ammonia the test reads about 9pmm!!!! Have i messed the cycling up or is this ok? Next time im going to be more careful on the dosing using a pipete!!!!!

many thanks in advance

 

[mlawson]

I would restart, back to the beginning. Your filter will not be able to manage
such a high level of ammonia. Change all the water and next time try to add
about 1ppm of Ammonia.

 

[mark.w.jones]

I would disagree. The fishless cycling method I and most other members use involves raising ammonia to 5ppm. Click on the link in my sig and follow the add & wait method. But I definitely agree with mdawson that you need to start again. 9ppm is far too high. I have a 10gal planted tank as well which took about 3 - 4 weeks to fishless cycle.

To get the right dosage.

1. Fill a bucket with 10litres of dechlorinated water.
2. Add 1 - 2 drops off ammonia sol., swirl about then test for ammonia level.
3. Repeat this until you get a 5ppm reading. Keep count of your drops as you go.
4. 10 UK gallons is 45 litres so multiply your number of drops by 4.5 and you'll get the number you need to add to your tank to raise it to 5ppm.
5. I wouldn't dive in whole hog and add all the drops at once to your tank.
6. Stop when you get near to the number you think you need to add and test your tank water for ammonia.

 

[jrussuk]

Thanks for posting the ideas for stocking a 10g tank its a great help ive read about the "add and wait methed" and as it said ammonia should be added to 5pmm i was a little worried about mine reading 9pmm i gather it just means my ammonia levels will take a little longer to drop or am i wrong?