Walstad Set-Up/ammonia Spike

[Steve H.]

I set up my first planted tank using organic soil as a first layer capped with gravel.

In my haste, and newbieness, I picked out large pieces of wood, sticks, and bits. But, I did not run the soil through a screen...which I should have. Organic material on the soil tannined the water for about a month, and now I am experiencing a large ammonia spike.

I believe this is due to the organic material breaking down?

I have been doing large water changes to cope with the ammonia spike, but it is affecting my nitrate level. Keeping it less than 5ppm.

Anyone know long I expect this spike to last, or will my filter eventually catch up to new ammonia load?

Thanks for any insights here.

 

[Sly13Cat]

Hope you can get a good answer as I plan on starting a Walstad tomorrow with Miracle Gro Organic Potting Mix.

 

[Steve H.]

Run it through a screen...that was my big mistake. I used the same soil, and there is a lot of wood in it. I think I would have been fine if I had done that.
But, plants are growing well

It might not be the soil causing the ammonia spike at all. It's just my first guess as my tank was cycled and running fine for months without ammonia issues, and this spike just seemed to come out of nowhere.