Too Much Ammonia

[steve_b21]

Think i have added too much ammonia in my tank.

Fishless Cycle

Just done a test with a API Freshwater kit....

Result has come back darkest green on the chart, which is 8.0

I need to drop it down to 4/5.... what shall/can i do?


Thanks

 

[calderfisher]

Sounds like you need to do at least a 30% water change then re-test....

CraigM

 

[Hero]

Sitting at 8.0 I would do a 50% water change.

 

[Dunkal]

Possibly even 90% water change and then re-check

 

[backtotropical]

How much did you put in Steve?

I showed you how to work it out on the other thread. I bet you thought "Thats not very much, i'll put some more in for luck"?

 

[steve_b21]

No , i actually put less than u stated.... i put in 5ml !

 

[steve_b21]

I have just tested ammonia level again, and reading is about 5. Not too sure why it came back so different yesterday?

Apologies if i ask any silly questions, however i am a complete newbie to keeping fish, and it is my first attempt to cycle a tank.

 

[Jonno]

did you let the ammonia circulate for some time before testing?

 

[steve_b21]

did you let the ammonia circulate for some time before testing?

After adding ammonia, i waited about 3/4 hours before i carried out the 1st test

 

[ShoC]

why does it matter if to much is added?

 

[steve_b21]

why does it matter if to much is added?

I take it , it will just take long cyclin?

 

[backtotropical]

why does it matter if to much is added?

I take it , it will just take long cyclin?

Not so i'm afraid. If too much ammonia is added, it can act as a steriliser and inhibit the bacteria. I believe anything above 8ppm is bordering on sterilisation. If this happens, the cycle won't start, ever.

Have you tested again yet steve?
If there is too much, you need to do a water change to bring it down to about 5ppm.

I don't understand how there could be too much though?

Cheers

BTT

 

[edgelgil]

Fishless cycle......too much amonia.........never done a fishless cycle....I have always used a hardy fish, like guppies for one, at 0.14 each a dozen wokrs just fine to help cycle a tank for the first month with out going over board with all the extra chems. Some bog wood tied to a rock helps keep the balance on the first hard cycle and helps to maintain the amonia levels. Good luck in getting the balance in order. 8>)

Maximo

 

[steve_b21]

why does it matter if to much is added?

I take it , it will just take long cyclin?

Not so i'm afraid. If too much ammonia is added, it can act as a steriliser and inhibit the bacteria. I believe anything above 8ppm is bordering on sterilisation. If this happens, the cycle won't start, ever.

Have you tested again yet steve?
If there is too much, you need to do a water change to bring it down to about 5ppm.

I don't understand how there could be too much though?

Cheers

BTT

When i tested earlier on today it seemed to be lower than the day before. I will test in the morning, hopefully it has come down a little. Thanks for your help

 

[backtotropical]

Fishless cycle......too much amonia.........never done a fishless cycle....I have always used a hardy fish, like guppies for one, at 0.14 each a dozen wokrs just fine to help cycle a tank for the first month with out going over board with all the extra chems. Some bog wood tied to a rock helps keep the balance on the first hard cycle and helps to maintain the amonia levels. Good luck in getting the balance in order. 8>)

Maximo

Maybe you should look into it. Fishless cycling is a far more humane method of achieveing the same result, but it is quicker and means you can safely fully stock your tank all at once. Also, you don't expose the poor fish to ammonia and nitrite which, as you will know, will either kill the fish or have serious consequences on it's health over it's lifetime.

Read all about it in the pinned thread. Theres a link in my signature below.

BTT